Luigi (Japanese: ルイージ; ) is a character created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. Part of Nintendo's Mario franchise, he is a kind-hearted, cowardly Italian plumber, and the younger fraternal twin brother and sidekick of Mario. Like his brother, Luigi's distinctive characteristics include his large nose and mustache, overalls, green hat, and high-pitched, exaggerated Italian accent.
Luigi first appeared in Mario Bros., a 1983 platform game, in which he was originally designed as a palette swap of Mario with a green color scheme; Luigi has since appeared in multiple games and other media throughout the Mario franchise, in which developed a personality and style of his own. As his role in the Mario franchise progressed, Luigi evolved into a physically distinct character, and become the main protagonist of Mario is Missing! and the Luigi's Mansion series. Charles Martinet voiced Luigi from 1992 to 2023, when he was succeeded by Kevin Afghani.
Luigi has appeared in over 200 video games. These include puzzle games such as Dr. Luigi, role-playing games such as Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi, and sports games such as Mario Kart and Mario Tennis. Luigi has also appeared in other Nintendo properties, such as the Super Smash Bros. series of crossover fighting games. From March 2013 to March 2014, Nintendo called the period the Year of Luigi to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the character's existence. Correspondingly, games released in 2013 emphasized Luigi. An unlockable Luigi-themed version of Mario Bros., titled Luigi Bros., was also included with Super Mario 3D World.
Luigi's likeness has been featured in merchandise based on the Mario series, as well as comic books and television shows such as The Super Mario Bros. Super Show, in which he was portrayed by Danny Wells. He was also portrayed by John Leguizamo in the live-action film Super Mario Bros. (1993) and voiced by Charlie Day in the animated film The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023).
Source : Wikipedia
