Jack Black

 (born August 28, 1969 in, ) is an American actor, comedian, musician, and songwriter. He is best known for his work in Hollywood comedy films, including ', ', and . Black's most famous role in animation is that of in 's  franchise (alongside Seth Rogen), which incidentally was referenced in  in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with a Kung Fu Lakitu poster. As a musician, he is best known as one half of the comedy rock duo alongside. In 2018, Black received a placement in the.

In a Nintendo Direct presentation broadcasted on September 23, 2021, Black was revealed as the voice of Bowser in The Super Mario Bros. Movie by Illumination. On October 6, 2022, he appeared at the movie's teaser trailer screening at to discuss his role in the movie, his impressions on the trailer, and his memories of playing Mario games. During an appearance on  alongside cast members Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, and Keegan-Michael Key, Black wore a Bowser costume while talking about the film. He would later wear a Bowser-inspired suit to the film's premiere, featuring flames on the blazer sleeves and faux spikes on the back.

Interpretation of Bowser
On voicing Bowser, Black states that he sought to portray him as hiding an insecurity or vulnerability under his threatening, "fire-breathing monster" facade. He states that his rage and fury stem from his inability to communicate and build relationships, and describes Bowser as a "jealous creature of sort of a petty sadness". He compares the character of Bowser to a "flaming ".