Editing Peter Cullen

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[[File:PeterCullen1.jpg|216px|thumb|Scarier than Venger and the Predator combined.]]
'''Peter Cullen''' (born [[July 28]], [[1941]]) is a [[Canada|Canadian]] actor and voice actor, who has earned fame, respect, and admiration as the voice of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|the original Optimus Prime]], as well as that character's analogs from many subsequent series listed below. His tenure as the character would earn him the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences on [[December 17]], [[2023]].<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2023/11/15/Peter-Cullen-Lifetime-Achievement-Award/4011700075781/|title=Children & Family Emmy Awards to honor Optimus Prime voice actor Peter Cullen|site=UPI.com|year=2023|month=11|day=15}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|quote=2016 Lifetime Achievement Honoree Frank Welker presented award-winning voice performer Peter Cullen with the Lifetime Achievement Award.|link=https://theemmys.tv/cafe-2nd-annual-winners/|site=National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences|title=The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces 2nd Annual Children's & Family Emmy Awards Winners|year=2023|month=12|day=17}}</ref> Originally from Quebec, Cullen moved to the U.S. early in his career.

In programming that aired adjacent to ''Transformers'', Cullen provided the voice for ''{{gb|Challenge of the GoBots (cartoon)|Challenge of the GoBots}}'' characters [[Pincher (GoBots)|Pincher]], [[Spoiler]], [[Tank (GoBots)|Tank]] and [[Block Head]]; for ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'' characters [[Zandar]] and [[Nemesis Enforcer]]; and from the ''[[Visionaries]]'', [[Cindarr]]. Some of Cullen's other roles include Eeyore from ''Winnie the Pooh'', Monterey Jack from ''Chip 'N Dale - Rescue Rangers'', Venger from ''Dungeons & Dragons'', K.A.R.R. from ''[[Agent Knight|Knight Rider]]'', Thaedus from ''[[Skybound Entertainment|Invincible]]'' and the titular villain of ''[[Predator (alien)|Predator]]''. He was also the announcer for several commercials for the [[United States Navy]] in 2007, filling in for [[Keith David]].

{{quote|Peter, if you're going to be a hero, be a '''real''' hero. Be strong enough to be gentle.|Peter quoting the advice his late brother, Larry, had on inspiring the voice of Optimus Prime.}}

==Generation 1==
===''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''===
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]]
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]]
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] ([[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]] only).
*[[Nightstick (G1)|Nightstick]]
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]]
*[[Wingspan]]
====Incidentals====
*[[Joe (MTMTE)|Joe]] ([[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]])
*[[Halonix Maximus|Giant Autobot]] ([[Heavy Metal War]])
*[[Frankenstein's monster]] ([[Autobot Spike]])
*[[Optimus Prime clone]] ([[A Prime Problem]])
*[[It]] ([[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2]])

===''[[Transformers: Devastation]]''===
*Optimus Prime

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

===''[[Transformers: Power of the Primes (cartoon)|Transformers: Power of the Primes]]''===
*Optimus Prime

===''[[History of the Transformers]]''===
*Optimus Prime

===''[[Building Bridges with Optimus Prime]]''===
*Optimus Prime

==Movie franchise==
[[File:moviecullen.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|GIVE ME MY FACE]]
===[[Transformers (film)|''Transformers'' (2007 movie)]]===
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

===[[Transformers: The Ride – 3D]]===
*Optimus Prime

===''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]''===
*Optimus Prime

===''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]''===
*Optimus Prime

===''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]''===
*Optimus Prime

===''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Rise of the Beasts]]''===
*Optimus Prime

===''[[Fortnite]]''===
*Optimus Prime

==Aligned==

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

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

===''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Transformers: Rescue Bots]]''===
*Optimus Prime
*Scientist ("[[It's a Bot Time]]")

===''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]''===
*Optimus Prime

=== ''[[Transformers: Prime - The Game]]'' ===
*Optimus Prime

=== ''[[Transformers Universe (Jagex)|Transformers Universe]]'' ===
*Optimus Prime

=== ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark]]'' ===
*Optimus Prime

=== ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]'' ===
*Optimus Prime

==Merchandise==
*''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' 25th Anniversary [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Optimus Prime]] 
*''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Leader Class [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Leader Class toys 2|Optimus Prime]] (and its multiple variants)
*''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|The Last Knight]]'' Allspark Tech Starter Pack [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Allspark Tech|Optimus Prime]] (and Shadow Spark Optimus Prime)
*''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' MP-44 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#MP44|Convoy Ver.3.0]]
*''Robosen Collector's Edition'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Robosen Collector's Edition|Optimus Prime Auto-Converting Robot]] (and its multiple variants)

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

==Convention appearances==
* [[BotCon 1997]]
* [[BotCon 2004]]
* [[BotCon 2006]]
* [[BotCon 2007]]
* [[BotCon 2009]]
* [[BotCon 2010]]
* [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2010
* [[BotCon 2011]]
* [[BotCon 2012]]
* [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2012
* [[HasCon 2017]]
* [[Hasbro PulseCon 2020]]

==Notes==
[[File:Movieop voyager driver.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Now all it needs is a mustache.]]
[[File:AllianceOptimusHoloDriver.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|''Aah'', that's the stuff.]]
* In [[1984]], Cullen created the voice of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|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>{{citesocial|quote=[Larry's] approach to serious situations was always calm and controlled an authoritative.|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20061015020510/https://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/2006/09/a_chat_with_pet.html|name=Whitney Matheson|site=USA Today|title=A chat with ... Peter Cullen, aka Optimus Prime|year=2006|month=09|day=28}}</ref> The ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' episode "[[Partners (Prime)|Partners]]" was dedicated to his late brother's memory.
* At [[BotCon 2007]], Peter Cullen said he'd love to own one of the three modified {{w|Peterbilt 379}} trucks used in the filming of [[Transformers (film)|''Transformers'']]. Let's try and picture Optimus Prime driving himself for a moment. Has your brain exploded yet from the sheer awesomeness?
* Cullen has been included as an Easter Egg in various ways.
** 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.
** In either an artistic case of toy-accuracy, or just [[Alex Milne]] having fun, Optimus Prime's holographic driver in ''[[Alliance issue 1|Transformers: Alliance #1]]'' is represented with Cullen's likeness.
* 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 ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'', ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' and ''[[Transformers: 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. However, he did not return to announce Toonami after its revival on [[May 26]], [[2012]].
* At one point, the ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' crew considered having Cullen play a human "old west hero" character<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We had an idea that Peter Cullen could play some kind of old west hero that would teach Optimus how to be a stronger leader|link=https://ask.fm/DerrickJWyatt/answers/168792551796|name=Derrick J. Wyatt|site=Ask.fm|month=07|day=19|year=2021}}</ref> that would inspire [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus]] and teach him good leadership qualities, but the idea never came to fruition.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We did have an idea for him to play a mentor character to Optimus [...] Our idea was for him to play a human mentor. [...] The basic idea was the Peter Cullen character would teach ''Animated'' Optimus some leadership qualities of G1 Prime|link=https://ask.fm/DerrickJWyatt/threads/163153290100|name=Derrick J. Wyatt|site=Ask.fm|month=06|day=17|year=2020}}</ref>
* Cullen was asked to reprise Optimus Prime for the first episode of ''{{w|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 show's staff respected him for.
* He expressed that he wanted [[Michael Bay]] to return for the fifth live-action film when Bay announced he departed from being the director's position. 
* Cullen's voice is unmodified and is entirely his own in his role as ''Prime's'' Optimus Prime, work for which he received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 2011.
* According to DVD commentaries, Cullen was not informed that ''Prime'' Optimus would survive the [[Dawn of the Beast|first arc]] of the third season until the recording session for "[[Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion]]" came along. Cullen apparently became depressed, worried that kids would go through the same trauma of Optimus dying as kids did in 1986 with the original movie. D'awww.
* On [[September 30]], [[2014]], Cullen was immortalized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with a cement printing ceremony outside of [[Grauman's Chinese Theatre]]. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] was also in attendance and provided his tire marks in lieu of handprints.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMw8LSScxLA Peter Cullen / Optimus Prime Walk-Of Fame Highlights]</ref>
* While the evil ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Optimus Prime (SG)|version]] of Optimus Prime has only ever depicted in comics and prose stories, writers [[Trent Troop]] and [[Greg Sepelak]] have stated that he sounds like Venger, the {{w|Dungeons & Dragons (TV series)|''Dungeons & Dragons'' cartoon}} character who was voiced by Peter Cullen.
* Cullen provided some motion capture reference during the Bay-directed films. A live-action cameo was also left on the cutting room floor in which Cullen would portray Optimus's holo-driver.
* In December 2023, Cullen received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2nd Annual Children's and Family Emmys for his work as Optimus Prime. The award was presented to him by his longtime costar [[Frank Welker]]; Cullen had presented Welker the same award seven years prior at a non-televised ceremony.
* During production on ''[[Transformers One (film)|Transformers One]]'', Cullen served as a consultant for [[Chris Hemsworth]] on getting the voice and mannerisms down.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-news-film-is-testing-very-well-and-peter-cullen-consulted-chris-hemsworth-on-voice/48127/ Transformers One News: Film is Testing Very Well and Peter Cullen Consulted Chris Hemsworth on Voice]</ref> 
* Says Ironhide's voice was based off a friend of his named "Smokey". 
{{--}}

==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]

===Interviews===
* [[September 17]], 2024's [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uONSlRiYhNA The Voices of Optimus Prime & Megatron: Interview with Frank Welker & Peter Cullen | Transformers G1] on the [[Hasbro Pulse]] YouTube channel, with [[Frank Welker]].

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