R.I.P Danny Wells (The original Luigi)

[1upmushroom]

http://www.news10.net/entertainment/art ... dead-at-72

Well, now it seems both of the original Mario Brothers are doing the Mario up in the great rainbow road in the sky.

I gotta admit, it is a little sad knowing that the guy who pretty much defined the character of Luigi is no longer with us. I mean think about it, Wells' incarnation was the first time we saw the "lovable coward" side of Luigi. Sure, it's his defining character trait now but back in 1989, he didn't really have that much of a personality.

So before I ramble any longer, I just want to say that Danny Wells did a great job as Luigi and will be missed.

[Serum]

Oh my gosh, I didn't know about this. That's sad. And during the Year of Luigi, too. I knew he sort of fell out of the acting circuit awhile back, I actually could never find any information about him. Well, may he rest in peace. He's up in Heaven with Lou Albano and Dennis Hopper, now.

[ultimateemail5000]

This is very sad, he was the better Luigi IMO. Out of the 3. He actually wasn't the original live action Luigi, if you count that live action Mario Bros Atari commercial. I will have to add a memorial to him in the upcoming Mario Remastered project and SMB2.

[Redstar]

I read this yesterday and was genuinely surprised. You never really take the time to think about these past icons. You assume they live in some immortal state of nostalgia.

I was too young to have ever watched the show, but I do respect it for representing a unique time in the franchise's history. Lou Albano and Danny Wells will forever be *the* "Mario" and "Luigi" for a generation.

Take care. You will be missed.

[LBD_Nytetrayn]

This is very sad, he was the better Luigi IMO. Out of the 3. He actually wasn't the original live action Luigi, if you count that live action Mario Bros Atari commercial. I will have to add a memorial to him in the upcoming Mario Remastered project and SMB2.

Indeed; that one seemed to establish Luigi as the more scared of the two as well.

Nonetheless, Wells had a great portrayal that really helped flesh it out.

[Mario500]

I found an article with quotations from a recent interview with Danny Wells (or Jack Westelman, his original name) on the day he died before learning about his death days later. You may access the article by selecting this link (according to the address for the article, it was published in January of this calendar year).

[ultimateemail5000]

Very nice interview, I really wish there could have been bonus interviews with Wells on the SMBSS DVDs. I always found it weird that the show ended after one season. Here is was Nintendo all along.

[Phlibbit]

It's sad to hear that Mr. Wells has passed. I've always been a huge fan of the Super Mario Bros. Super Show--both the live action and cartoon parts. He was able to be an entertaining live-action Luigi, as well as establish a completely different but even more iconic portrayal in the cartoon segments.

Even as a kid, I could tell that Wells was the more established actor alongside Captain Lou. He really helped sell that both of them could be brothers.

Thanks for posting that interview, Mario500. It was really insightful to hear Wells reflect on his part in the series; I don't think I've ever seen any other interviews with him about it.

[LBD_Nytetrayn]

Very nice interview, I really wish there could have been bonus interviews with Wells on the SMBSS DVDs. I always found it weird that the show ended after one season. Here is was Nintendo all along.

I think it was probably because Nintendo wanted to move on and promote Super Mario Bros. 3.

Even as a kid, I could tell that Wells was the more established actor alongside Captain Lou. He really helped sell that both of them could be brothers.

I definitely agree with this.