'Super Mario' Actor Names a Federal Prisoner as His Second Favorite Luigi in Modern America

Published 04/02/2026, 11:44 AM EDT

The return of the Mushroom Kingdom brings more than just power-ups, as a lead actor delivers a joke so daring it has co-stars squirming in their seats. This unexpected comedic turn suggests that the press tour for the new Mario sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, might be just as unpredictable as the film itself. Luigi's own voice actor recently proved that his sense of humor remains as sharp and irreverent as ever during a high-profile interview.

During the promotion of the latest animated adventure, the real-world second half of Mario managed to turn a standard question about his iconic character into a moment of collective shock.

A second favorite Luigi named by the Super Mario actor

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During an appearance on the Tintoria podcast in Tokyo, Charlie Day was asked to name his favorite Luigi's in modern America. After playfully claiming the top spot for himself, he deadpanned that federal prisoner Luigi Mangione was his number two choice. This reference to the individual accused in the high-profile UnitedHealthcare case sent his fellow cast members into a frenzy.

"In recent American history? Well, me first of all, number one, and Luigi Mangione, number two", Charlie Day said. Anya Taylor-Joy was seen covering her face in disbelief while Keegan-Michael Key erupted into laughter at the sheer audacity of the remark.

The joke touched upon the dark internet memes and nominative resemblance that have surrounded the name since December 2024. While Nintendo executives likely preferred a safer answer, the hosts thanked Day for providing such a memorable and funny response. It serves as a reminder that the voice behind the green hat is never afraid to push the boundaries of comedy.

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Charlie Day's history of delivering such chaotic and memorable performances is, in fact, well documented across several successful Hollywood projects.

Iconic comedy gems from the career of Charlie Day

Horrible Bosses remains a standout in his filmography, where he plays a dental assistant trapped in a ridiculous m***** plot. His frantic energy and high-pitched delivery turned the character into a fan favorite alongside Jason Sudeikis and Jason Bateman. This role solidified his status as a leading man capable of carrying major studio comedies.

In the film Fist Fight, he portrays a mild-mannered teacher forced into a playground brawl with a terrifying colleague played by Ice Cube. The movie leans heavily into his ability to play a character on the verge of a total nervous breakdown, creating a masterclass in physical comedy.

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Pacific Rim showcases a different side of his talent as Dr. Newton Geiszler, a frantic scientist obsessed with giant monsters. Although it is an action blockbuster, his comedic timing provides the necessary levity amidst the global destruction. Other notable works include The Lego Movie and I Want You Back, which further demonstrate his impressive range. Whether on the big screen or a podcast mic, Charlie Day continues to prove that his unfiltered comedic timing is the ultimate power-up for the Mario franchise.

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What do you think about Charlie Day's humour? Let us know in the comments.

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Soma Mitra

1129 articles

Soma is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. With a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication, she brings production experience from documentary films like Chandua: Stories on Fabric. Covering the true crime and docu-drama beat, she turns psychological thrillers into sharp, audience-aware storytelling.

Edited By: Adiba Nizami

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