Mario voice actor Charles Martinet is retiring

Nintendo announced Monday morning that Mario voice actor Charles Martinet is leaving. In over 100 Mario video games, the 67-year-old Martinet voiced Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, and their babies in addition to the world’s most famous plumber.

“Charles Martinet has been the original voice of Mario in Nintendo games for a long time, as far back as Super Mario 64,” Nintendo wrote. “He will stop recording character voices for our games, but he’ll keep traveling the world spreading Mario Love.”

We have a message for fans of the Mushroom Kingdom. Please take a look. pic.twitter.com/U1ASicOuTO

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) August 21, 2023

Nintendo says Martinet will become a “Mario Ambassador” to stay involved with Mario. It’s unclear what that means, but that’s a cool job title.

For diehard Mario fans, Martinet’s departure was expected. Some fans were surprised when Martinet gave Chris Pratt the role of Mario in the recent Super Mario Bros. Movie, but he did appear as Mario’s father. Fans noticed Martinet’s voice was missing from Super Mario Bros. Wonder and WarioWare: Move It trailers, according to Polygon. Super Mario fans can now rest.

“It has been an honor working with Charles to help bring Mario to life for so many years,” Nintendo wrote. The company will post a goodbye video from Martinet and Nintendo executive and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto.