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Late Landlord Inspires Nintendo's Mario, Reveals Family Connection

4/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The late Mario Arnold Segale, a businessman from Tukwila, Washington, inspired Nintendo to name its iconic character Mario.
Recent research by Elisabeth Zetland revealed Mario Segale's father was named Luigi, mirroring the game character's brother.
Segale was Nintendo's landlord in the 1980s and showed little interest in the connection.
In 1993, he joked he was still waiting for royalty checks.

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Story summary

The late Mario Arnold Segale, a businessman from Tukwila, Washington, inspired Nintendo to name its iconic character Mario.
Recent research by Elisabeth Zetland revealed Mario Segale's father was named Luigi, mirroring the game character's brother.
Segale was Nintendo's landlord in the 1980s and showed little interest in the connection.
In 1993, he joked he was still waiting for royalty checks.