Charles Martinet

Charles Andre Martinet is an American voice actor and writer, best known as the iconic voice of Nintendo's Mario for over three decades. Born September 17, 1955, in San Jose, California, he brought Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, and their baby versions to life across hundreds of games from 1991 to 2023. His cheerful, high-pitched Mario voice became a global pop culture touchstone, instantly recognizable to generations of players. In August 2023, Martinet retired from primary voice acting and transitioned to an official brand ambassador role for Nintendo, continuing to represent the franchise at events and in media. Beyond Nintendo, he voiced Paarthurnax in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) and Magenta in the Dragon Ball franchise (2022 onward), showcasing his range. With over 150 video game credits and a Guinness World Record for most video game voice-over appearances, Martinet remains one of the most beloved figures in gaming.[edit]

Charles Martinet grew up in San Jose, California, in a family that encouraged creativity. He attended the University of California, San Diego, where he studied political science, but his passion for performance led him to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London to study acting. Before landing the role of a lifetime, Martinet worked as a television actor and writer, appearing in small roles on shows like The Love Boat and General Hospital in the 1980s. He also wrote and performed in stage productions. The path to Mario began in 1991 when a friend suggested he audition for a voice role at a trade show. Martinet walked into the audition without knowing what character he was reading for. He was handed a script with a few lines in Italian-accented English and asked to perform as a plumber. His spontaneous, energetic delivery won over the Nintendo representatives, and he was cast as Mario on the spot. His first official game as the character was Mario Teaches Typing (1991), a modest educational title that launched a three-decade career.[edit]

Martinet's breakthrough came with Super Mario 64 in 1996, where his voice acting for Mario became a defining element of the game. His signature catchphrases, including "It's-a me, Mario!" and "Wahoo!," were introduced here. He soon expanded his repertoire, voicing Luigi in Mario's Time Machine (1992), Wario in Mario's FUNdamentals (1994), and Waluigi in Mario Tennis (2000). Over the next two decades, Martinet voiced characters in nearly every major Mario release: the Mario Kart series (1997 onward), Super Mario Sunshine (2002), Super Mario Galaxy (2007), Super Mario Odyssey (2017), and countless Mario Party and sports titles. In 2011, he took on a dramatically different role as Paarthurnax, the wise dragon in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, a performance praised for its depth. In 2015, Guinness World Records recognized him for the most video game voice-over appearances by an actor. In 2022, he began voicing Magenta in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero and subsequent Dragon Ball projects. On August 21, 2023, Martinet announced his retirement from voicing Mario, transitioning to Nintendo's official brand ambassador.[edit]

Charles Martinet is universally regarded as one of the kindest and most approachable figures in gaming. Fans describe him as warm, humble, and genuinely passionate about his work. At conventions, he is known for taking time with every fan, often breaking into character spontaneously to delight crowds. His social media presence is friendly and upbeat, filled with updates about appearances, fan art, and reflections on his career. The media consistently highlights his dedication to the Mario character and his positive impact on Nintendo's brand. Martinet's signature catchphrases, especially "It's-a me, Mario!" and "Wahoo!," are instantly recognizable even to non-gamers. While there is no single official fandom name, fans affectionately call themselves "Mario fans" or "Martinet fans." Fan culture rituals include meeting him at conventions, getting autographs, and participating in Q&A sessions where he shares behind-the-scenes stories. His retirement as voice actor was met with an outpouring of gratitude from the gaming community, solidifying his legacy as the definitive voice of Mario.[edit]

Charles Martinet has been evaluated by iFANN's Global Fame Engine but is currently unranked, holding no placement in its published rankings as of August 2026, including the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. His absence from the rankings is a reflection of the engine's specific criteria, not of his cultural footprint, he remains a beloved figure in gaming, though his fame is concentrated within that community rather than across the broader public consciousness.

Martinet's fanbase, while substantial, has no formal name. Fans typically identify as Charles Martinet fans or simply as Mario fans, and they often celebrate his signature catchphrase "WooHoo!" as a communal touchstone. The community is deeply integrated into the larger Super Mario fandom, organizing through existing Nintendo networks, conventions, and social media rather than a dedicated fan club. Following his August 2023 announcement that he would step down from voicing Mario, fans spontaneously shared tributes across platforms, a collective outpouring that underscored his three-decade impact. While no coordinated campaigns like billboards or charity drives have been documented, his fans consistently support his appearances and engage warmly with his personal content.

Martinet's relationship with his audience is marked by extraordinary accessibility. He maintains an active social media presence, shares personal reflections, and has gracefully supported his successor, Kevin Afghani. His decision to stop performing Mario's voice post-retirement, due to Nintendo restrictions, was met with disappointment, yet he remains a cherished figure in gaming culture.[edit]

Martinet was not a gamer before landing the Mario role; he learned to play Mario games to understand the character's movements and timing. He auditioned for Mario over the phone without knowing the role, improvising an Italian plumber voice on the spot. His Mario voice evolved over time, becoming higher-pitched and more energetic as the games demanded. He has a deep affection for fans and often spends extra time at conventions signing autographs and taking photos. In Skyrim, the role of Paarthurnax was written specifically with Martinet in mind by the game's writers. He holds a black belt in karate. Martinet's favorite Mario game to voice is Super Mario Galaxy, citing its emotional story. He once recorded over 80 different voice takes for a single Mario line to get the perfect delivery.

A story fans still retell is how Martinet crashed the Mario audition in 1990, having never heard of Nintendo, and improvised the Italian-accented voice that would define his career. In a 2026 interview, he revealed that he identifies more with Luigi in real life, describing Mario as "the most wonderful human being ever," a detail that has endeared him further to fans. His transition to Mario Ambassador in 2023, following his retirement from the role, was handled with notable grace and has become part of his legacy.[edit]

Charles Martinet is married to Claudia Martinet. The couple has one daughter, Daisy Martinet. Martinet has described his family as his anchor, often crediting them for supporting his busy schedule of recording sessions and convention appearances. He keeps his family life relatively private, rarely sharing details in interviews. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time at home with his wife and daughter, and they have a pet dog. Martinet has mentioned that his daughter grew up hearing his Mario voice around the house, which she found both amusing and normal.[edit]

Charles Martinet worked closely with Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario, who often provided direction for the character's voice. He collaborated with other Nintendo voice actors in multiplayer titles and spin-offs. His role as Paarthurnax in Skyrim connected him with Bethesda Game Studios and director Todd Howard. In the Dragon Ball franchise, he worked alongside the series' veteran voice cast.[edit]

Charles Martinet's dating history is not publicly documented. He is married to Claudia Martinet, though the exact year of their marriage is not widely reported. The couple has one daughter, Daisy Martinet. As of 2026, Martinet remains married to Claudia, and they continue to live a private family life away from the spotlight.[edit]

As of 2026, iFANN currently estimates Charles Martinet's net worth at $15 million. His primary income source for over three decades was his voice acting work for Nintendo. While specific per-game salaries are not public, his involvement in hundreds of titles, including major releases like Super Mario Odyssey and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, generated substantial earnings. His current role as brand ambassador provides ongoing income. Martinet also earns from convention appearances, where he is a popular guest, often commanding appearance fees. His voice work in Skyrim and Dragon Ball added to his income. Additionally, he has received residuals from games re-released on virtual consoles and remakes. Martinet's net worth has grown steadily over the years, reflecting his consistent presence in the industry.[edit]

Charles Martinet received a Guinness World Record in 2015 for the most video game voice-over appearances by an actor, recognizing his extensive work across hundreds of titles. He has also been honored at various gaming conventions with lifetime achievement awards and fan-voted accolades for his contributions to the industry.[edit]