Charles Martinet, the voice of Mario
Charles Martinet is probably one of the most recognisable voices in gaming. His infectious laugh, and warm, friendly delivery have become a ubiquitous part of the gaming experience for over three decades. But as it turns out, Martinet is actually quite a surprise as a performer, having lent his unique timbre to just about every character imaginable – from Mario, to Shakespearean characters.
As a young man, Martinet overcame a fear of public speaking during his college days in California. He discovered that he had a natural talent for it, which led to him landing parts in commercials, and eventually, parts in video games.
In 1994’s Nintendo’s Super Punch-Out!!, Martinet provided voices for the boxing ring announcer, the referee, and the boxers themselves. He also lent his voice to characters in the 1997 Carmen Sandiego PC game, including William Shakespeare and Ludwig Van Beethoven.
In 1999’s Star Wars space simulation game, Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance, Martinet voiced Admiral Holtz and an unnamed rebel pilot. He also portrayed Vigoro, an air pirate, in the 2000 JRPG Skies of Arcadia, adding sarcastic responses to the character’s dialogue.
Martinet has played Homunculus, a djinn, in the 2001 Konami game Shadow of Memories, and Orvus, the designer of the Great Clock, in Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time. He’s played Eaoden and Gimli in The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age, and the Easterlings in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Martinet played Snake Eyes and Lau Chan in The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age, and multiple characters in Virtua Quest, a spin-off of Virtua Fighter. He played the Elder Brother, a gangster villain, in the 2007 game Kane & Lynch: Dead Men.
Perhaps Martinet’s most famous departure from the Mario role is his performance as Paarthurnax, an immortal dragon, in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Paarthurnax leads the Greybeards and helps the player character on their quest.
The Elder Scrolls isn’t the only game series Martinet has worked on. He has lent his voice to a number of other games, including the JRPG Skies of Arcadia, where he played Vigoro the air pirate. He also played the boxing announcer, referee, and boxers in Super Punch-Out!!
Martinet has also played Orvus, the designer of the Great Clock, in Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time, as well as the Elder Brother, a gangster villain, in the 2007 game Kane & Lynch: Dead Men.
While Martinet’s most famous role remains that of Mario, his diverse range of voices has surprised and delighted fans. From boxing announcers to Shakespearean characters, Martinet has showcased his talent in a variety of roles.
It’s not just Martinet’s ability to bring characters to life that makes him so special – his unique voice is an integral part of the video game industry. From Mario, to the Greybeards and beyond, Charles has made his mark across numerous games.
Check out the full list of all the games Charles Martinet has appeared in.
