Kevin Afghani gets real about stepping into Charles Martinet’s shoes and why the pressure never really goes away.
There are some jobs in entertainment where the weight of history hits you before you even say a word. Being the voice of Mario is one of them. For over three decades, Charles Martinet defined what the world’s most famous plumber sounded like, creating something so iconic that most people never even realized Mario had a voice actor at all.
Now, that torch has been passed to Kevin Afghani, and he’s finally opening up about what that really means.
In a recent interview with USA Today, Afghani didn’t shy away from the obvious question everyone’s been asking since he took over the role in 2023.
Was he nervous? Absolutely. “Look, Charles, as far as I’m concerned, IS Mario“, Afghani explained. “He created something that is so unbelievably iconic. And he did it so masterfully. If I wasn’t nervous, then I’m the wrong guy“.
The guy vs. The second guy
Afghani’s honesty about his place in Mario history is refreshing. He doesn’t try to position himself as some kind of revolutionary reimagining of the character. Instead, he embraces what he calls being “the second guy.” Charles Martinet, in his words, is simply “THE guy,” and there’s an unbelievable amount of respect in that acknowledgment.
This mindset makes sense when you consider Afghani’s personal history with the character. He’s been a Mario fan since childhood, playing everything from Mario Kart to Luigi’s Mansion, even the sports games that casual fans sometimes skip.
He spent years mimicking Martinet’s performance just for fun, never imagining he’d one day be the official voice behind those iconic “wahoos” and “let’s-a-go’s.”
Carrying the legacy forward
Taking over in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, WarioWare: Move It!, and Super Mario Party Jamboree in 2023, Afghani also voices Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, and even Baby Mario and Baby Luigi in Mario Kart World. That’s a massive workload, but he describes the recording sessions as “so much fun” and playing games with his own voice as downright “surreal.”
Afghani is making his first American convention appearance this weekend at Charlie’s Comic Con in Florida, where fans will finally get to meet the man behind the mustache.
He’s also been quick to dispel online rumors, confirming he never worked for Nintendo before landing the Mario gig, despite persistent theories he narrated Nintendo Directs.
What’s clear from Afghani’s words is that he understands the assignment. He’s not here to erase what came before or make Mario his own in some dramatic way. He’s here to honor what Martinet built, to keep these characters important to new generations, and to carry forward a legacy that means everything to millions of players worldwide.
And honestly? That’s exactly what Mario needs.
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