by Andrew Griffin
Mario's "woo-hoo", and the jingle of coins, might be the most iconic sounds in video game history. And, according to the man behind them, they very nearly didn't exist. Charles Martinet, who has been the voice of Mario ever since he became able to speak, has spoken on the 30th anniversary of Super Mario Bros.
Mr Martinet wasn't actually invited to be part of the audition for Mario, who before Martinet voiced him had been silent. Told to do a voice for an Italian plumber from Brooklyn, he began with a gruff, macho voice — until he spontaneously happened on the joyous, high-pitched, bouncy one, intended for children, that's become well-known.
Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/