Charles Martinet


Charles Andre Martinet is an American actor and voice actor. He is best known for voicing Mario in the Super Mario video game series. Martinet has voiced this title character of Nintendo's flagship video game franchise since 1990, and he also voices related characters such as Baby Mario, Luigi, Baby Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, and Toadsworth.

Early life

Martinet is of French descent and speaks fluent French and Spanish. His family moved to Barcelona when he was 12 years old, and later to Paris. He attended the American School of Paris and graduated in 1974.
Martinet attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he originally intended to study international law. In his senior year he decided to discontinue his studies after a tutor told him to "regurgitate information he'd written in his book, chapter-by-chapter". A friend suggested to him to take acting classes to combat his fear of public speaking. His first role was a monologue from the Spoon River Anthology. Eventually, Martinet earned an apprenticeship at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. After training with the Berkeley Rep for several years, Martinet went to London to attend the Drama Studio London, where among other skills, he discovered his talent for accents and dialects. Upon returning to California he joined the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. He went on to become a founding member of the San Jose Repertory Theatre for four years.

Career

Working for Nintendo since 1990, Martinet started voicing Mario at video game trade shows in which attendees would walk up to a TV screen displaying a 3-D Mario head that moved around the screen and talked. This system was called Mario in Real-Time or MIRT and was developed by Pasadena based SimGraphics. Martinet could see the attendees by means of a hidden camera setup, and a facial motion capture rig recorded his mouth movements in order to synchronize Martinet's mouth movement with the on-screen Mario mouth movement. This digital puppetry, with Martinet's comic performance, was a novelty at the time.
Martinet earned the job when, one day, he was told by his friend that there was going to be an audition at a trade show in which auditioneers "talk to people as a plumber". He went to the audition at the last minute as the casting directors were already putting away their equipment. Charles Martinet walked in and asked, "Can I please read for this?". The directors let him audition and told him, "You're an Italian plumber from Brooklyn". At first Martinet planned to talk like a stereotypical Italian American with a deep, raspy voice. He then thought to himself that it would be too harsh for children to hear, so he made it more soft-hearted and friendly, resulting in what Mario's voice is today. Martinet has also stated that he kept on talking with his Mario voice until the audition tape ran out. He says that Petruchio from William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew was an inspiration for his portrayal of Mario.
Martinet's video game voice over debut was as Mario in the 1995 Windows release of Interplay's game Mario's FUNdamentals. However, most were first exposed to Mario's voice in the landmark 1996 game Super Mario 64. During the recording session, he and a few developers wondered what Mario would do when the player leaves him alone. In the end, Martinet came up with the idea that Mario would dream of pasta during his sleep and Mario says "night nighty. Ahhh spaghetti, ahhh ravioli, ahhh mamma mia." when Mario is in his second sleeping position. He has voiced Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Toadsworth, Metal Mario, Shadow Mario, Piantas, Mini-Mario Toys, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi and Baby Wario in most games wherein these characters speak. He also voiced the enemies Wart, Mouser, Tryclyde, and Clawgrip in Super Mario Advance. His voice work appears in the English and Japanese language versions of the games. With his work as Mario in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized Martinet for having performed the same character in one hundred different titles, the most of any video game voice actor.
2014
Martinet provided voiceover acting for the boxers and the announcer in the Super NES title Super Punch-Out!!. He voiced the character Vigoro in Sega's Dreamcast and Nintendo GameCube role-playing video game, Skies of Arcadia. He did the voice of Homunculus in the Konami PlayStation 2, Xbox and Windows game Shadow of Destiny, and provided voices for Reader Rabbit and The ClueFinders games. Charles Martinet wanted to voice Link in ', but Shigeru Miyamoto told him that Link would remain without a voice. However Link's grunts have been voiced by various Japanese voice actors.
In addition to video game voice overs, Martinet has worked as a voice actor in commercials, cartoons, and promotions. At the Electronic Entertainment Expo trade show in 2005, Charles could be found roaming the virtual village featured in the playable demo of
'. Martinet did Mario's voice as the announcer for Pac-Man Vs. on the Nintendo GameCube.
Other than the Mario series, Charles has also done work for the video game Cel Damage as the voice of Fowl Mouth, as well as the primary voice work in several educational game series such as LeapFrog. He also voiced the dragon Paarthurnax in the 2011 video game ', Orvus in 2009's ', and narrated the cutscenes and menus for the 2013 video game Runner2 and Runner3, appearing as a hidden playable character in the latter.

Public appearances

As the voice of Mario, Martinet has become a well-known personality and has made public appearances at several video game related events where he meets fans for chat, photographs, and autographs. He has made regular appearances at game events such as Electronic Entertainment Expo, Gamescom, and the Eurogamer Expo, and at launch events of games like Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel.

Filmography

Film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1986Brotherhood of JusticeDeputyTV Movie
1989MatlockBo EdmundsEpisode: "The Captain"
Credited as Charles Martinez
1989Midnight CallerMark HellerEpisode: "Blood Red"
1992The Last of His TribeAssistant Museum DirectorTV Movie
1992Reasonable DoubtsBartenderEpisode: "Lifelines: Part 1"
1992Bay City StoryArt RonstadtTV Movie
1995Compromising SituationsSalEpisode: "Vegas"Credited as Charles Martinez
1996–1998Nash BridgesJean-Yves / Tony / Hermsdorf3 Episodes
1997A Thousand Men and a BabySeattle cab driverTV Movie as Charles Martinez
1998Air AmericaDavid DixonEpisode: "Fever"
2004JoJo's Bizarre AdventureSenator Wilson Philips, Speedwagon Foundation Pilot2 episodes

Video games

YearSeriesRoleNotesSource
1992Mario Teaches TypingMarioCD-ROM version only
1993'Prostitute, Billy Bob, Janitor
1994Super Punch-Out!!Announcer, Referee, Boxers
1995Mario's Game GalleryMario
1995Solar EclipseSpinner
1995Space Quest 6Pa Conshohocken, Ray Trace, PiTooie
1996Super Mario 64Mario, Metal Mario
1996Mario Teaches Typing 2MarioUncredited
1996Mario Kart 64Mario, Luigi, WarioEnglish Dub
Credited as Charles Martinee
1998Mario PartyMarioCredited as Charles Martinee
1999The ClueFinders Math AdventuresThe Guide
1999Super Smash Bros.Mario, LuigiCredited as Charles Martinee
1999Mario GolfMario, Luigi, Baby Mario, Wario, Metal MarioCredited as Charles Martinee
1999Carmen Sandiego's Great Chase Through TimeWilliam Shakespeare, Ludwig van Beethoven
1999Slave ZeroOld One, Sangonar
1999Mario Party 2Mario
1999'Admiral Holtz, Rebel Pilot
1999'Master Suzuki
2000Mario TennisMario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Baby Mario
2000Skies of ArcadiaVigoro English Dub
2000Mario Party 3Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2001Super Mario AdvanceMario, Luigi, Clawgrip, Triclyde, Mouser, Fryguy, Wart Uncredited
2001Dr. Mario 64Dr. Mario/Metal Mario, Wario/Vampire Wario
2001Forever KingdomDarsulEnglish Dub
2001Wario Land 4Wario
2001Luigi's MansionLuigi, Mario
2001Cel DamageVarious
2001'2-1B, AT-AT Driver, OOM-9
2001Mad Dash Racing
2001Super Smash Bros. MeleeMario, Luigi, Dr. Mario
2001'Mario, LuigiUncredited
2001'Pericles Lear
2001Shadow of MemoriesHomunculus
2002Jet Set Radio FutureGouji Rokkaku
2002'Bespin Cop 2 / Civilian Male / Imperial Officer 2 / Rebel Shock Troop 3
2002Super Mario SunshineMario, Toadsworth, Isle Delfino Commercial, Male Piantas, Pianta Attorney
2002'Baby MarioUncredited
2002Mario Party 4 Mario, Luigi, Wario, WaluigiUncredited
2002ShinobiAdditional voicesEnglish Dub
2003'WarioUncredited
2003Wario WorldWario
2003'Mario, LuigiUncredited
2003'Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Shadow Mario
2003GladiusAdditional Voices
2003'Wario
2003'Easterlings
2003'Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi
2003Pac-Man Vs.Mario
2003Mario Party 5Mario, Luigi, Wario, WaluigiUncredited
2003'Mario, Luigi
2004'Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2004Mario vs. Donkey KongMario, Mini Mario
2004'Mario, Doopliss
2004Mario Pinball LandMario
2004'Wario
2004Mario Power TennisMario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Toadsworth
2004'Eaoden, Gimli
2004Mario Party 6Mario, Luigi, Wario, WaluigiUncredited
2004Super Mario 64 DSMario, Luigi, Wario
2004'Wario
2005Virtua QuestAnnouncer, Snake Eyes, Lau Chan, Shun Di English Dub
2005Yoshi Touch & GoBaby Mario
2005Dance Dance Revolution Mario MixMario, Luigi, Waluigi, WarioUncredited
2005Mario Superstar BaseballMario, Luigi, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Toadsworth, Piantas
2005Mario Tennis Advance Mario, Luigi, Waluigi
2005SSX on TourMario
2005Super Princess PeachMario
2005Mario Party 7Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, ToadsworthUncredited
2005Mario Kart DS Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2005Mario Kart Arcade GPMario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2005'Mario / Luigi / Baby Mario / Baby Luigi
2005Super Mario StrikersMario / Luigi / Wario / Waluigi
2006New Super Mario Bros.Mario / Luigi
2006Mario Hoops 3-on-3Mario / Luigi / Wario / Waluigi
2006'Mario / Mini Mario Uncredited
2006Yoshi's Island DSBaby Mario / Baby Wario Uncredited
2006'Wario
2007Mario Kart Arcade GP 2Mario Uncredited
2007'Wario Uncredited
2007Super Paper MarioMario, LuigiUncredited
2007Mario Strikers ChargedMario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2007Mario Party 8Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Big Top, Piantas
2007World in Conflict
2007Super Mario GalaxyMario, Luigi
2007Mario & Sonic at the Olympic GamesMario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2007Mario Party DSMario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2007'The Elder Brother / Vaultbreaker
2008Super Smash Bros. BrawlMario / Luigi / Wario / Waluigi
2008Mario Kart WiiMario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi
2008Mario Super SluggersMario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Toadsworth. Piantas
2008'Additional Voices
2008'Wario
2008'
2008'Wario
2009'Mario, Luigi
2009'Mario, Mini MarioUncredited
2009'Orvus
2009Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter GamesMario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2009New Super Mario Bros. WiiMario, Luigi
2010Resonance of FateCardinal LagerfeldEnglish Dub
2010Super Mario Galaxy 2Mario, Luigi
2010'Mario, Mini MarioUncredited
2010Mario Sports MixMario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2010WarioWare D.I.Y.Wario
2011Super Mario 3D LandMario, LuigiUncredited
2011'Paarthurnax
2011Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic GamesMario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2011Mario Kart 7Mario, Luigi, Wario, Metal MarioUncredited
2011Fortune StreetMario, Luigi, Wario, WaluigiUncredited
2012Mario Party 9Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Pianta
2012Mario Tennis OpenMario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Baby Mario
2012New Super Mario Bros. 2MarioUncredited
2012New Super Mario Bros. UMario, Luigi
2013'Luigi, Mario
2013'Mario, Mini MarioUncredited
2013New Super Luigi ULuigiUncredited
2013'Mario, Luigi
2013Mario Kart Arcade GP DXMario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2013Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter GamesMario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2013Super Mario 3D World Mario, Luigi
2013'Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2013Yoshi's New IslandBaby Mario Uncredited
2013Runner2Narrator
2014'Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Gold Mario
2014Mario Kart 8Mario, Luigi, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Metal MarioUncredited
2014Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii UMario, Luigi, Dr. Mario, Wario, Waluigi
2015Mario Party 10Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2015Luigi's Mansion ArcadeLuigi
2015Super Mario MakerMario, Luigi, Waluigi
2015'Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2015'Mario, Luigi
2016Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic GamesMario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2016'Mario, Luigi
2016Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2016Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DSMario
2017Mario Sports SuperstarsMario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi
2017Mario Kart 8 DeluxeMario, Luigi, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Metal Mario, Gold Mario
2017Mario + Rabbids Kingdom BattleMario, Luigi
2017Super Mario OdysseyMario, Luigi
2018Runner3Narrator, playable character
2018WarioWare GoldWario
2018Super Mario PartyMario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2018Super Smash Bros. UltimateMario, Luigi, Dr. Mario, Wario, Waluigi
2019Super Mario Maker 2Mario, Luigi
2019Dr. Mario WorldDr. Mario, Dr. Luigi, Dr. Wario, Dr. Waluigi
2019Mario Kart TourMario, Luigi, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Wario, Waluigi
2019Luigi's Mansion 3Mario, Luigi
2019Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi