This weekend, thousands of people from all over are making their way to the South Bay. GalaxyCon , a popular fandom convention with stops across the country, has come to San Jose for the first time.
The ribbon cutting ceremony to kick off the events happened Friday, welcoming fans from all over the world and the celebrities who created their beloved characters. Including, Charles Martinet, the voice behind Super Mario.
Martinet was born in San Jose and was an original member of the San Jose Repertory Theater.
“For the first four years that that theater company existed, I was literally out there on the streets, saying, ‘Hey! We’re putting a show on. Want to come?'” he said.
Now, Martinet has people coming to him for autographs and pictures.
He’s among the iconic performers, Jodi Benson, the voice of Disney’s Little Mermaid is another.
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“I got her to sign, Flounder, don’t be such a guppy,” said an excited attendee Rachelle, who came to the convention from Sacramento.