History of Charles Martinet in Timeline

Charles Martinet is an American actor best known for voicing Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi in the Super Mario franchise from 1991 to 2023. His work brought iconic video game characters to life for generations of players. After decades as the voice of Mario, Martinet transitioned to the role of official brand ambassador for the Super Mario series, marking a shift in his involvement with Nintendo's flagship franchise.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

September 17, 1955: Charles Martinet's Birth

On September 17, 1955, Charles Andre Martinet was born. He is an American actor known for voicing Mario in the Super Mario franchise from 1991 to 2023.

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1969: Moves to Paris, France

In 1969, Charles Martinet's family moved to Paris, France, after living in Barcelona, Spain for three years. As a result, he became fluent in Spanish and French.

1974: Graduates from the American School of Paris

In 1974, Charles Martinet graduated from the American School of Paris.

1991: Audition for Mario's Voice

In 1991, Charles Martinet auditioned and secured the job as the voice of Mario at Nintendo. He created Mario's friendly voice, inspired by Gremio from Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew", during the audition.

1991: Begins Voicing Mario

In 1991, Charles Martinet began his role as the voice of Mario in the Super Mario franchise.

1991: Starts Voicing Mario at Trade Shows

In 1991, Charles Martinet began voicing Mario at video game trade shows for Nintendo using the Mario in Real-Time (MIRT) system developed by SimGraphics. He interacted with attendees through a 3-D Mario head on a TV screen, utilizing a hidden camera and facial motion capture rig.

1994: First Video Game Appearance as Mario

In 1994, Charles Martinet made his first video game appearance as Mario in the CD version of Mario Teaches Typing.

1995: Debut in Mario's Game Gallery

In 1995, Charles Martinet formally debuted as Mario, speaking full dialogue for extended periods in Mario's Game Gallery.

1996: Voice of Mario in Super Mario 64

In 1996, Charles Martinet voiced Mario in the landmark game Super Mario 64. He was contacted by Nintendo after Shigeru Miyamoto sought a professional voice actor for the game. The recording session was mostly unscripted, leading to the creation of many of Mario's catchphrases and the idea that Mario dreams of pasta.

2005: E3 Appearance for Animal Crossing: Wild World

At the 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) trade show, Charles Martinet remotely interacted with players from New York in a playable demo of Animal Crossing: Wild World. He also voiced Mario as the announcer for Pac-Man Vs. on the Nintendo GameCube.

Nintendo Gamecube System Console - Jet Black (Renewed)

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2009: Desire to Voice Link

In 2009, Charles Martinet expressed his desire to voice Link in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, but Shigeru Miyamoto decided that Link would remain without a voice. Link's grunts have been voiced by various Japanese voice actors.

2009: Voice of Orvus in Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time

In 2009, Charles Martinet voiced Orvus in Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time.

2011: Portrayal of Paarthurnax in Skyrim

In 2011, Charles Martinet portrayed Paarthurnax in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

2011: Voice of Paarthurnax in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

In 2011, Charles Martinet voiced the dragon Paarthurnax in the video game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

2013: Narrates Runner2 and Runner3

In 2013, Charles Martinet narrated the cutscenes and menus for the video game Runner2 and Runner3, also appearing as a hidden playable character in Runner3.

2013: Evicted from Home

In 2013, Charles Martinet was evicted from his home in Sausalito, California, due to a legal dispute. He remained homeless for five years, focusing on game events.

2020: Narrates High Score

In 2020, Charles Martinet narrated the Netflix docuseries High Score.

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February 2021: Discusses Potential Role in The Super Mario Bros. Movie

In February 2021, Charles Martinet expressed his desire to reprise his role as Mario in the animated The Super Mario Bros. Movie, stating it would be a "marvelous thing". Ultimately, Chris Pratt was cast as Mario, but Martinet made cameo appearances as Mario's father and a Brooklyn citizen named Giuseppe.

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2021: Desire to Voice Mario for Life

In 2021, Charles Martinet stated his desire to voice Mario for the rest of his life and that he would ask Nintendo to find a successor if he felt unable to continue.

2022: Voices Magenta in Dragon Ball

In 2022, Charles Martinet began voicing Magenta in the Dragon Ball franchise.

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2022: Voice of Magenta in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

In 2022, Charles Martinet provided the voice of Magenta in the English dub of the anime film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.

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August 21, 2023: Retires as Mario Voice Actor

On August 21, 2023, Nintendo of America announced that Charles Martinet would retire from voicing Mario in the Super Mario games and would become "Mario Ambassador". Kevin Afghani succeeded him as the voice of Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi.

2023: Steps Down as Mario Voice Actor

In 2023, Charles Martinet stepped down as the voice actor for Mario in the Super Mario franchise to become an official brand ambassador for the series.