Game Over For Captain Lou "Mario" Albano

Before Charles Martinet gave Nintendo's beloved hero a voice, it was Captain Lou Albano that provided Super Mario's gruff Italian dialog.  Starring in both the live-action and animated portions of the cheesily classic Super Mario Bros. Super Show, the captain brought his own unique spin to a character that, at the time, was mostly undeveloped beyond being a Koopa-stomping plumber.  The news that Albano has passed away at the age of 76 is starting to ripple across the Internet, and the resulting coverage is focusing on his pro wrestling career and appearance in Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" music video, but let's not forget about his work on Super Mario.  While the series hasn't aged well, those of us who grew up in the late 1980s and early 1990s will always have a soft spot for the man who taught us all to "do the Mario".  Now, please rise for the memorial dance.  Take one step and then again...