Segale developed office buildings and malls in Washington state in 1998. In 1981, Segale was renting a Tukwila warehouse to Nintendo of America. Shigeru Miyamoto had created the Mario character for his game Donkey Kong, but was calling him Jumpman and his girlfriend "Lady."

Nintendo wanted proper names for the characters, so they named the hero after their proprietor and the lady Pauline after a Nintendo of America employee’s wife.

It is not clear why Segate's name was used.  You would think he was a blue collar working class guy renting out a dingy basement to Nintendo rather than someone famous for doing international business deals worth tens of millions and never having to jump over anyone.

Segale played down his connection to the Mario franchise for fear it would harm his business ventures which were pretty substantial. In 1993, the Seattle Times asked Segale was asked how he felt about his video game incarnation. “You might say I’m still waiting for my royalty cheques,” he said. Safe to say I don’t think they are coming now.