Peter Cullen

2011-12-13T02:31:10Z

75.34.213.128:

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[[Image:PeterCullen1.jpg|right|216px|thumb|Scarier than Venger and the [[Predator (alien)|Predator]] combined.]]
'''Peter Cullen''' (born [[July 28]], [[1941]]) is a [[Canada|Canadian]] voice actor who has earned fame, respect and admiration as the voice of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|the original Optimus Prime]].

In addition to Transformers, some of Cullen's other roles include Eeyore from ''[[Jim Cummings|Winnie the Pooh]]'', Venger from ''Dungeons & Dragons'', Bankjob Beagle from ''Ducktales'', Cindarr from ''[[Visionaries]]'', Zandar and [[Nemesis Enforcer]] from ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'', K.A.R.R. from ''Knight Rider'', the Narrator from ''Voltron'', and the title villain from ''[[Predator (alien)|Predator]]''. He has also recently done announcer work for commercials for the U.S. Navy, temporarily taking over the job from [[Keith David]].

==Roles==
===Generation 1===
*[[Frankenstein's monster]] (episode 17)
*[[Halo]] (episode 16)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
*[[It]] (episode 95)
*[[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Optimus Prime clone|Clone]] (episode 27)
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]]
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]]
*[[Wingspan]]

===[[Transformers (2007)|''Transformers'' (2007 movie)]]===
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]

===[[Transformers The Game|''Transformers'': The Game]]===
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]

===''[[Transformers: Beginnings]]''===
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]

===''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''===
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]

===[[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|''Revenge of the Fallen'': The Game]]===
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]

===''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''===
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]]

===''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]''===
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]]

===''[[Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]''===
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]

===[[Dark of the Moon (video games)|''Dark of the Moon'': The Game]]===
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]

===[[Transformers: The Ride]]===
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]

===''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots]]''===
*[[Optimus Prime (RB)|Optimus Prime]]

===''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (360/PS3)|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]''===
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]]

==Written works==
* ''[[Transformers Vault]]'' (foreword)

==Notes==
* In [[1984]], Cullen created the voice of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] by emulating the mannerisms of his older brother Larry, who had served in the [[United States Marine Corps]] in the Vietnam War. Specifically, he based Prime's voice and mannerisms upon Larry's calm, controlled and authoritative approach to serious situations.<ref>[http://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/2006/09/a_chat_with_pet.html USA Today's chat with Peter Cullen, September 28, 2006]</ref> The ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' episode "[[Partners]]" was dedicated to his late brother's memory.

* Yes, Optimus Prime is his favorite voice acting role, except he he hates being [[Wikipedia:Eeyore|Eeyore]].

* At [[BotCon 2007]], Peter Cullen said he'd love to own one of the three modified [http://www.peterbilt.com/index_gal_mod_desc.asp?model=model379 Peterbilt 379] trucks used in the filming of [[Transformers (2007)|''Transformers'']]. Let's try and picture Optimus Prime driving himself for a moment. Has your brain exploded yet from the sheer awesomeness?

[[Image:Movieop voyager driver.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Now all it needs is a mustache.]]
* The mid-range [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Voyager class ''Movie'' Optimus Prime toy (in its many releases)]] features a non-removable cowboy-hat-bedecked driver figurine that flips out of the seat when the driver's side door is closed. This appears to be based on Peter Cullen himself. Awesome.

* In [[Alliance issue 1]], Optimus Prime creates a holo-driver for himself in the [[:Image:AllianceOptimusHoloDriver.jpg|likeness of Cullen]]. Epps thought it was perfect. Odds are, so would most of the [[fandom]].

* He was also the [[Toonami]] announcer (or as [[Steve Blum|TOM]] called him: "The Big Guy") for many years, allowing him to narrate commercials for ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'', ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' and ''[[Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]''. Later, he narrated commercials for ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'', even though it wasn't on Toonami. Because he's Optimus Prime, that's why.

* Peter was asked to reprise Optimus Prime in an episode of ''Robot Chicken'', where the character would enact a dramatization that he's dying from prostate cancer. He turned down the offer as he took the role too seriously to make fun of it, which the Adult Swim people respected him for.

*Cullen also provided the voice of the [[Renegade]] [[GoBots (franchise)|GoBots]] Pincher, Spoiler, Tank and Block Head in the '''Challenge Of The GoBots''' animated series.

* In the [[1976]] remake of [[King Kong]], he had an uncredited role voicing the great ape. Cullen injured his throat and coughed blood after a recording session that took five to six hours.<ref>[http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id=17378 Peter Cullen, Transformers Interview]</ref> We could throw in another joke about [[Trukk not munky]] on this subject, but really, that would be redundant at this point.

* Cullen's voice is unmodified and wholly his own in his role as ''Prime's'' Optimus Prime.

==Convention appearances==
* [[BotCon]] ([[BotCon 1997|1997]], [[BotCon 2006|2006]], [[BotCon 2007|2007]], [[BotCon 2009|2009]], [[BotCon 2010|2010]], [[BotCon 2011|2011]])
* [[BotCon 2004]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/play/details.cfm?R=3D1D7B52-19B9-F369-1081-07DF8C58072C:en_US Hall of Fame video]
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0191520/ Peter Cullen at the Internet Movie Database]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cullen, Peter}}
[[Category:Activision]]
[[Category:Convention guests]]
[[Category:DreamWorks]]
[[Category:English voice actors]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Hasbro Studios]]
[[Category:Writers]]

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Peter Cullen