This year's already had a lot of crazy celebrity deaths, but the person we lost today will probably hit the hardest for any Nintendo fan - Captain Lou Albano, who played the live-action version of Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show and also provided Mario's voice for the cartoon segments, died earlier today.
With his crazy hair, deep voice and wild gestures, his portrayal of Mario was always a fan-favourite. In the opinion of some, he was even better at the role than Nintendo mainstay Charles Martinet, but sadly, after the Super Show, he never played Mario again.
Of course, the Super Show might not even be the only thing you know him from - he became famous as both a wrestler and a wrestling manager, and appeared in many of Cyndi Lauper's video clips, usually as her dad. He also made a ton of guest appearances on other shows.
Captain Lou was 76 years old. Our condolences go out to his family members and friends.
Comments 61
Like I said in the thread: R.I.P., Lou.
I was just listening to MJ's new single. I also think Albano's performance was more endearing than Martinet's.
That's awful...rest in peace, Lou.
I loved him in that show. Granted, it was 20 years ago or whatever...but he brought a lot of joy into my childhood.
Good night, sweet prince.
R.I.P
RIP Lou.
I loved his Mario's shorts before and after the show as a kid.
R.I.P. Lou.
He was such a benevolent fellow for a children's show, like the best parts of Mario, Mr. Rogers, and Santa Claus combined.
R.I.P. Lou Albano
first MJ and now Lou? someone's got to be behind all these celebrity deaths
Does that mean we're only left with the Bob Hoskins Mario?! Lou was the best Mario. I also remember him from the Cyndi Lauper videos as her dad. He'll be missed
Never liked the cartoon SMB series, but they couldn't have better cast Mario than with Lou. Even though he was in a suck-tastic cartoon series, he will be remembered as the mustached wrestler.
& @Koto I'm pretty sure that it's the Nintendo Ninjas. like I said on another thread, they're trying to make sure that only Nintendo exists in this world. But it makes no sense why they would kill a comrade...
Rest in peace Lou.
I think all of us here at NL should do the Mario tomorrow in his honor...
...and do the cliche' 2009 thing and take clips and edit them into one YouTube video!
No, I'm serious! Who's interested? I'll happily do the editing.
A sad day indeed. Do the Mario !
R.I.P. Lou... Still remember watching you on TV always with a big smile!!
Great wrestler, greatest live-action Mario ever.
R.I.P. Captain.... (FALCON PAWNCH salute..)
/me does 'The Mario', in a melancholy manner.
now do the mario will be taken more seriously now...
I think they should put the Mario Show episodes up on the Nintendo Channel so we can relive some of Captain Lou's legacy.
The Super Mario cartoons were brillant....i always loved how they had the music and sound effects from the Mario games..
Anyway i loved the Super Show.
RIP dude..
"Ye do sup, my Lou Albano, on a blau Olympus." -Ode Y.
Whatever happened to the actor who played Luigi?
R.I.P.
Oh man that's sad, R.I.P.
Goodbye Captain Lou Albano. We hope you rest in piece.
Lou was the best live-action Mario. I think I'll go watch an episode of the The Super Mario Bros. Super Show in his honor and do the Mario.
I´m surprised by this note. We´ll miss you Captain Albano.
Now i´m thinking if he was inspiration for a Mario wrestler and later came Smash Bros.
He did his last Mario...
One lesson Lou taught me was to keep clean and never leave spaghetti on my overalls.
Rest in peace Captain Lou. You will definitely be missed.
Who played luigi in the show. I forgot.
game over sound
I saw this show so many times when I was a kid. You did great as Mario, Captain Albano. I'm sure we'll miss you. R. I. P.
Good-bye Captain Lou.
Heheh has anyone seen that youtube clip where it sounds like he says 'eff you luigi' on the mario bros show?
R.I.P man
I remember watching the show in hopes of a Zelda cartoon as a kid, but the live segments were at least mildly entertaining (at least a for Nintendo crazed kid). He was the best because he was the original.
rest in peace uncle Lou
Luigi was played by Danny Wells.
I didn't watch the show as a kid of course, (I'd barely been born when it aired!) but I have since seen it all on DVD. He was a great Mario, and shall indeed be missed.
You shall never be forgotten Lou. Rest in Pipes.
R.I.P. nice memories!
Rest in peace, dude. :/
RIP
Even though that show sucked.
@44: It was cheesy at some times, but it didn't sucked, it was awesome and left nice memories.
Rest in Peace, Lou! We'll miss you...
R.I.P. I hope I remember to do the mario.
R.I.P, Lou. He was better than Charles Martinet by a long shot.
@Koto: Not just MJ and Lou. David Carradine, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, and Billy Mays, too. Out of those six, Lou was the only one who didn't die this summer.
Wow that sucks. It's sad too. RIP.
RIP Lou!
R.I.P. Lou...
RIP Lou. We'll miss you
I had the show on VHS when I was a kid... sad. R.I.P.
Leg end
R.I.P Lou
R.I.P Lou
as a Wrestler and a Nintendo fan this is very sad, both world have lost a true legend, I miss his work the 1st time but i love to watch the repeats if not for help in wrestling just for the all round entertainment.
I think i will go buy the DVD of the super mario show in his honor
I have Super Mario Bros. 3 and World on DVD here, it's awesomely bad. But in a good way! I also have all the eps from the Super Show taped from the TV somewhere at my nan's place.
You gave me so many fond memories Lou, from both a Mario fan and as a wrestling fan
It's a stone Luigi. sigh You will be missed.
RIP
All the great people die. R.I.P., Captain.
We should all swing our arms from side to side in his memory.
Aw.
Tap here to load 61 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...