What are the professions of Mario and his brother Luigi?

The iconic brothers, Mario and Luigi, are famously known for their profession as plumbers. This career choice became established in the 1983 arcade game Mario Bros., which also marked Luigi's debut. The decision to make them plumbers was influenced by the game's setting, as a significant portion of the gameplay involved navigating underground pipes and sewers.

Interestingly, before he donned his plumbing attire, Mario had a different occupation. When he first appeared in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong, he was known as "Jumpman" and worked as a carpenter. This made sense for the game's environment, which was a construction site. Over the decades, while plumbing has remained their most recognized trade, the adventurous duo has taken on a surprising number of other roles. Their extensive resumes include stints as doctors, professional racers, and even boxing referees, among many others across their numerous game appearances.

Despite their diverse experiences, the image of Mario and Luigi as hardworking plumbers, ready to venture into any pipe or underground cavern, has firmly cemented itself in popular culture. Even a brief statement from Nintendo's Japanese profile in 2017 suggesting Mario was no longer considered a plumber caused a stir, although the statement was later altered. This enduring association highlights how deeply their plumbing profession is ingrained in the lore of these beloved video game characters.