A Southern Utah Love Letter to a Legendary Voice Actor

Dear Charles Martinet, the voice of Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi since 1991.

I’m writing this in hopes of letting you know just how much of an influence you’ve had on my life, as well as countless others.

To say your work has helped shape childhoods would be an understatement. As the youngest of six children, I had a lot of different hobbies thrown my way from music to sports. However, the only way I was able to truly connect with my siblings as a young one was playing Nintendo 64.

Mario Party and Mario Kart 64 were a large part of my life with my siblings, and don’t even get me started with Super Mario 64.

Your charisma as the character has the same effect that Mickey Mouse does and is arguably even more potent.

I spent hours upon hours replaying the opening levels of Mario 64 (mostly because I wasn’t that good), and I would constantly try to imitate your voice to my family as a 4-year-old.

Even after my childhood, I continuously look forward to anything you lend your voice to.

I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting you in person, but your interactions with fans while attending events is something to behold. You’re kind, encouraging, and you make everyone want to live up to that same boundless energy you have in your 60’s.

It breaks my heart that you’re retiring from the role, but everyone knew that this day would come. I’m thrilled that you’ll be interacting with the public even more as the new Mario Ambassador, but it’s going to be VERY difficult for anyone to fill your shoes.

You created the personality of the beloved plumber, and the new guy is going to have to imitate you because there is no way anyone could replace your portrayal.

It’s not like a play where you’re allowed to bring something new to a role, your voice is SO ICONIC that it would be a crime against humanity to change it. THAT is how important you are.

I think it's pretty poetic that your last recorded line from a Nintendo property was in "The Super Mario Bros Movie" as Mario and Luigi's dad. "These are my boys" is a perfect thing to say at the end of your monumental tenure.

I hope you continue to bring smiles to people’s faces long after your retirement from the role, and I can’t even imagine what my life would have been like without your talents.

Yours truly,

A Southern Utah Nintendo Lover.