Legends come and go, it’s a sad fact of life. Every legend leaves behind something big; their swan song. Thomas Jefferson had the Declaration of Independence. Leonardo Da Vinci had the Mona Lisa. Captain Lou Albano? Well, he had Mario.

Captain Lou Albano’s main claim to fame was wrestling. He started out as a wrestler, but many remember him as the grandiloquent manager with the braided beard. He managed many teams that won WWF Tag Team Championships, including Wild Samoans, Mr. Fuji and Saito, and The Valiant Brothers.

Children of the 80’s will remember Captain Lou from many a Cyndi Lauper music video, where Albano played Cyndi’s strict dad, who didn’t understand the young peoples. More importantly, he just couldn’t get it in his head, that girls just wanted to have fun. All of these accomplishments in wrestling and media are great, but they pale in comparison when it comes to what Captain Lou would do next.

Not many people, let alone gamers know much about the Super Mario Bros. Super Show. To those of you still in the dark, it was thirty minutes that included a Mario cartoon, based on characters from Super Mario Bros. 1 and 2, getting into the typical Saturday morning cartoon capers. But the best part of the show, were the live action segments with a real life Mario and Luigi. Luigi was played by actor Danny Wells, Mario was played by none other than Captain Lou.

During these live action segments (shot before a live studio audience), a guest star would stop by Brooklyn’s own Mario Bros. Plumbing, and there would be a situation, and a clear-cut promise of comedy. In one instance, Magic Johnson stops by the Mario’s place to practice his magic show. On another episode, Ernie Hudson helps rescue the Bros. from “Slime.” Cornier than rural Nebraska, yes, but still 100% entertaining.

And what about “Do the Mario,” the would be Dance Craze? I’m surprised it never caught on. If Ice Ice Baby had a market, you’d like something more practical like “Swing your arms from side to side” would catch on. Is there anything more heartwarming than watching Captain Lou dance for the kiddies? I don’t think so.

Captain Lou even made a public service announcement as Mario, asking kids not to do drugs. What a saint; even if the commecial comes off a little strange, offputting (you go to hell, before you die), and downright funny. Perhaps that was the intention; even when it comes to serious issues like drug use, Captain Lou still wants to put a smile on your face.

The Super Mario Bros. Super Show only lasted one season, but has a huge cult following among gamers (including me). Unfortunatly, Captain Lou never got to don the overalls and cap ever again. Even when Nintendo decided to make a Mario movie in 1993, they skipped over the obvious choice and went for a more seasoned actor: Bob Hoskins. If you ask me, Captain Lou is still the best Mario (live action anyway), and will never be matched. Captain Lou died today, October 14^th, 2009, and to say he will be sorely missed is an utter understatement. I bet right now, he’s helping fix God’s plumbing in heaven. Here’s to you, Captain Lou, we’ll never forget you.

Louis Vincent Albano

1933-2009