Martinet Still Voices Mario, Avoids Improvisation

Charles Martinet, Mario's iconic voice actor for nearly three decades, has addressed fan concerns about his in-character interactions after recent convention appearances sparked online discussions.

Honored by Nintendo as an official Mario Ambassador, Martinet remains famous for his energetic character voices during fan meetups. Speculation arose when YouTuber Ricky Berwick suggested Martinet faced limitations – until the voice actor himself clarified the situation.

The controversy began after Martinet's appearance at Phoenix Fan Fusion 2025, where Berwick – boasting substantial social media followings – claimed the veteran actor "couldn't perform any of his famous character voices" during the event, calling it "disappointing."

These claims gained traction online, coinciding with news that Samantha Kelly – formerly Princess Peach and Toad's voice – had been replaced during Nintendo Switch 2's Mario Kart World launch.

While Nintendo retired Martinet from official voice work in 2022, they honored him with a special farewell video featuring Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto and an ongoing Ambassador role. Martinet continues attending conventions regularly.

Martinet clarified that Berwick's post referenced his decision against improvising original dialogue for Nintendo characters (including Mario, Luigi, Wario and others), not restrictions on voice performances.

"Dear Ricky, I voice characters for every fan," Martinet responded. "I simply choose not to create unapproved character dialogue."

The voice acting legend explained this stems from his commitment to preserving Nintendo's characters' authenticity.

"This reflects my personal standards," Martinet added. "I protect these beloved characters' integrity. Attend any convention and you'll absolutely hear Mario! #woohoo"

Kevin Afghani now voices Mario in Nintendo games, while Chris Pratt portrays the character in the upcoming Super Mario Bros Movie sequel.