Former Mario Actor Reveals the Joyful Approach That Landed Him the Role of a Lifetime

For nearly 30 years, Charles Martinet’s voice became synonymous with one of gaming’s most beloved characters. As the official voice of Mario, Martinet brought joy to millions of players worldwide with his cheerful “It’s-a me, Mario!” However, the story of how this iconic voice actor landed the role is far more serendipitous than anyone might imagine.

In a recent interview with GamingBible, Martinet opened up about his unconventional audition process that ultimately led to becoming Nintendo’s golden voice. What makes the story particularly fascinating is that Martinet initially knew virtually nothing about Mario, Nintendo, or even the video game industry itself when he walked into that fateful audition.

“I was simply told to start talking, and when you run out of things to say, that’s your audition,” Martinet recalled. This bare-bones instruction set the stage for what would become one of the most recognizable voices in entertainment history.

Martinet approached the audition with a philosophy that would define his entire career as Mario: kindness above all else. “I didn’t want to do an Italian plumber sounding gruff, mean and nasty or scary to children, like a Mafia member,” he explained. “I didn’t know whether the audience would have children in it, but I have a principle of comedy of always being kind.”

This commitment to creating something family-friendly and joyful led Martinet to reject the obvious stereotypes. Instead of portraying Mario as a tough, working-class plumber with an edge, he opted for something completely different—something silly, fun, and universally appealing.

“I thought to myself that I’ll do something much more silly and fun,” Martinet said. “I didn’t know anything about video games, so I just made things up about food and started talking.”

This improvisational approach proved to be genius. By focusing on universal themes like food and joy rather than trying to fit a preconceived notion of what Mario should sound like, Martinet created a character voice that would resonate across generations and cultures.

The fact that Martinet knew nothing about video games at the time might have been his greatest advantage. Without any industry expectations or preconceived notions about how a video game character should sound, he was free to create something entirely original. His fresh perspective allowed him to bring a level of authenticity and warmth that might have been impossible if he’d been trying to emulate existing gaming archetypes.

Martinet’s journey from complete outsider to the voice of gaming’s most famous plumber is a testament to the power of authenticity and kindness in creative work. His approach demonstrates that sometimes the best way to succeed is to ignore conventional wisdom and trust your instincts.

Over his decades-long tenure, Martinet’s interpretation of Mario became the gold standard for the character. His voice work spanned countless games, from the original Super Mario 64 to the latest entries in the franchise. He also voiced other beloved Nintendo characters, including Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi, each with their own distinct personality while maintaining the same core philosophy of kindness and joy.

In recent years, Martinet has stepped back from being Nintendo’s official Mario voice actor, though he continues to be involved with the company in other capacities. His legacy, however, remains secure. The cheerful, kind-hearted Mario that Martinet created has become an enduring symbol of gaming culture worldwide.

What’s particularly inspiring about Martinet’s story is how it challenges the notion that success requires extensive preparation or industry knowledge. Sometimes, approaching a challenge with fresh eyes and a commitment to positivity can yield results that years of experience might not achieve.

Martinet’s audition philosophy—just start talking and see where it takes you—could serve as valuable advice for anyone facing a creative challenge. Rather than overthinking or trying to fit into predetermined molds, sometimes the best approach is to simply begin, stay true to your values, and let authenticity guide the way.

The voice actor’s journey from crashing an audition to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in entertainment history is a reminder that sometimes the most successful creative choices come from unexpected places. By choosing kindness, silliness, and joy over conventional wisdom, Martinet created something that has brought happiness to millions of people around the world.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve and new voices take on iconic roles, Martinet’s approach serves as an inspiring example of how authenticity and a commitment to creating joy can lead to extraordinary success. His story isn’t just about landing a dream job—it’s about the power of approaching creative work with an open heart and a willingness to be different.

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