Super Mario inspiration Mario Segale passed away
THE real-life inspiration behind the world’s most famous video game character, Nintendo’s Mario, has died at the age of 84.Mario Segale passed away on October 27 surrounded by his family.
The son of first-generation Italian immigrant farmers, he became the face of the video game hero after he rented out a warehouse that later became Nintendo’s US headquarters.
Super Mario inspiration Mario Segale has passed away aged 84.
When Nintendo’s US president Minoru Arakawa noticed physical similarities between the plumber protagonist and Mr Segale, they started calling the character “Mario”.
The rest is video game history. “Super Mario” is now a household name. The long-running series has reportedly sold more than 500 million copies during its lifespan, making it the best-selling video game franchise of all time.
“Nintendo of America is sad to hear of Mr. Segale’s passing, and we extend our sympathies to his family and friends,” Nintendo said in a statement to Variety.
Segale was never entirely comfortable with being the muse for a pop culture icon, according to his obituary. “While he was the inspiration for the name of Nintendo’s ‘Super Mario’ from when they were tenants in his business park in the 1970’s, he always ducked the notoriety and wanted to be known instead for what he accomplished in his life,” it said.
Segale leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Donna, four children and nine grandchildren.
Credit : Daily Telegraph Australia RIP Mario Segale super mario bros...RIP sir RIP Mario Segale
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