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[[Image:PeterCullen1.jpg|right|216px|thumb|Scarier than Venger and the Predator combined.]]
{{disambig3|Peter}}
'''Peter Cullen''' (1944 -) is an [[United States of America|American]] voice actor (though originally from [[Canada]]) who has earned fame, respect and admiration as the voice of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|the original Optimus Prime]].
{{factions|hofgold}}
[[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.


During San Diego Comic-Con 2006 it was announced that he would be voicing [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] in the 2007 movie as well. And there was much rejoicing (One person started complaining. He was torn limb from limb, skewered and eaten).
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 Airborne, [[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]]'', Bankjob Beagle and Admiral Grimitz on ''Ducktales'', Mysterio, [[Hulk]] and Red Skull on [[Spider-Man|Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends]], Coran and King Alfor on ''Voltron'', Thaedus from ''[[Skybound Entertainment|Invincible]]'', [[King Kong]] in the [[1976]] remake film 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]].


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'' and as 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]].
{{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.}}


==Roles==
==Generation 1==
===Generation 1===
===''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''===
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]]
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]]
*[[Optimus Prime clone|Clone]] (episode 11)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] ([[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]] only).
*[[Nightstick (G1)|Nightstick]]
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]]
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]]
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]]
*[[Wingspan]]
*[[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 (2007)|''Transformers'' (2007 movie)]]===
===''[[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]]
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]


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


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


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


===[[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|''Revenge of the Fallen'': The Game]]===
===[[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|''Revenge of the Fallen'': The Game]]===
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]
*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 3]]===
===''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''===
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]


==Trivia==
===''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]''===
* In 1984, he 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>
*Optimus Prime
*[[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|Nemesis Prime]]
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] Trooper #2 ("[[Thirst]]")


* Yes, Optimus Prime is his favorite voice acting role.
===''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Transformers: Rescue Bots]]''===
*Optimus Prime
*Scientist ("[[It's a Bot Time]]")


* He also loves being [[Wikipedia:Eeyore|Eeyore]].
===''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]''===
*Optimus Prime


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


[[Image:Movieop voyager driver.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Now all it needs is a mustache.]]
=== ''[[Transformers Universe (Jagex)|Transformers Universe]]'' ===
* The mid-range [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/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.
*Optimus Prime


* 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]]. Now, it needs to happen in [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|the sequel]] (which, sadly never happens).
=== ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark]]'' ===
*Optimus Prime


* He has also been the [[Toonami]] announcer (or as [[Steve Blum|TOM]] calls him: "The Big Guy") for many years, allowing him to narrate commercials for ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'', ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' and ''[[Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]''.
=== ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]'' ===
*Optimus Prime


* 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.
==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 versions)
*''[[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 Last Knight'' [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/merchandise#The Last Knight|Optimus Prime Voice Changer Helmet]]
*''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' MP-44 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#MP44|Convoy Ver.3.0]]
*[[Robosen]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Robosen Collector's Edition|Optimus Prime Auto-Converting Robot]] (and its multiple versions)
*Robosen ''Rise of the Beasts'' [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Robosen|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Killerbody]] ''Bumblebee'' [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/merchandise#KillerbodyHelmet|Optimus Prime]] Helmet
*Killerbody ''The Transformers'' Optimus Prime Helmet
*''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (toyline)|EarthSpark]]'' [[Optimus_Prime_(ES)#HasbroBattleTrailer|Optimus Prime Battle Trailer]] (archival audio)


*Cullen also provided the voice of the [[Renegade]] [[Tonka GoBots|GoBots]] Pincher, Spoiler and Tank in the '''Challenge Of The GoBots''' animated series.
==Written works==
* ''[[Transformers Vault]]'' (foreword)


==Convention appearances==
==Convention appearances==
* [[BotCon]] ([[BotCon 1997|1997]], [[BotCon 2006|2006]], [[BotCon 2007|2007]], [[BotCon 2009|2009]])
* [[BotCon 1997]]
* [[BotCon 2004]]
* [[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==
==References==
Line 62: Line 164:


==External links==
==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]
*[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}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cullen, Peter}}
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[[Category:Convention guests]]
[[Category:Convention guests]]
[[Category:DreamWorks]]
[[Category:DreamWorks]]
[[Category:Voice actors]]
[[Category:English voice actors]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame creators]]
[[Category:Hasbro Studios]]
[[Category:Writers]]

Latest revision as of 19:59, 5 January 2026

The name or term "Peter" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Peter (disambiguation).
Scarier than Venger and the Predator combined.

Peter Cullen (born July 28, 1941) is a Canadian actor and voice actor, who has earned fame, respect, and admiration as the voice of 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.[1][2] 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 Challenge of the GoBots characters Pincher, Spoiler, Tank and Block Head; for G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero characters Airborne, 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 Knight Rider, Bankjob Beagle and Admiral Grimitz on Ducktales, Mysterio, Hulk and Red Skull on Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, Coran and King Alfor on Voltron, Thaedus from Invincible, King Kong in the 1976 remake film and the titular villain of Predator. He was also the announcer for several commercials for the United States Navy in 2007, filling in for Keith David.

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

[edit]

The Transformers

[edit]

Incidentals

[edit]

Transformers: Devastation

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Transformers: Titans Return

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Transformers: Power of the Primes

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

History of the Transformers

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Building Bridges with Optimus Prime

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Movie franchise

[edit]
GIVE ME MY FACE!?

Transformers (2007 movie)

[edit]

Transformers: The Game

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Transformers: Beginnings

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Revenge of the Fallen

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Revenge of the Fallen: The Game

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Dark of the Moon

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Dark of the Moon: The Game

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Transformers: The Ride – 3D

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Age of Extinction

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

The Last Knight

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Bumblebee

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Rise of the Beasts

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Fortnite

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Aligned

[edit]

Transformers: War for Cybertron

[edit]

Transformers: Prime

[edit]

Transformers: Rescue Bots

[edit]

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Transformers: Prime - The Game

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Transformers Universe

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Transformers: Robots in Disguise

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime

Merchandise

[edit]

Written works

[edit]

Convention appearances

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
Now all it needs is a mustache.
Aah, that's the stuff.
  • In 1984, Cullen created the voice of 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.[3] The Transformers: Prime episode "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 Peterbilt 379 trucks used in the filming of 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.
  • He was also the Toonami announcer (or as TOM called him: "The Big Guy") for many years, allowing him to narrate commercials for Armada, Energon and Cybertron. Later, he narrated commercials for 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 Animated crew considered having Cullen play a human "old west hero" character[4] that would inspire Optimus and teach him good leadership qualities, but the idea never came to fruition.[5]
  • Cullen was asked to reprise Optimus Prime for the first 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 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 first arc of the third season until the recording session for "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 was also in attendance and provided his tire marks in lieu of handprints.[6]
  • While the evil Shattered Glass 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 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, Cullen served as a consultant for Chris Hemsworth on getting the voice and mannerisms down.[7]
  • Says Ironhide's voice was based off a friend of his named "Smokey".

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ UPI.com, "Children & Family Emmy Awards to honor Optimus Prime voice actor Peter Cullen", 2023/11/15
  2. ↑ "2016 Lifetime Achievement Honoree Frank Welker presented award-winning voice performer Peter Cullen with the Lifetime Achievement Award."—National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, "The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces 2nd Annual Children's & Family Emmy Awards Winners", 2023/12/17
  3. ↑ "[Larry's] approach to serious situations was always calm and controlled an authoritative."—Whitney Matheson, USA Today, "A chat with ... Peter Cullen, aka Optimus Prime", 2006/09/28
  4. ↑ "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"—Derrick J. Wyatt, Ask.fm, 2021/07/19
  5. ↑ "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"—Derrick J. Wyatt, Ask.fm, 2020/06/17
  6. ↑ Peter Cullen / Optimus Prime Walk-Of Fame Highlights
  7. ↑ Transformers One News: Film is Testing Very Well and Peter Cullen Consulted Chris Hemsworth on Voice
[edit]

Interviews

[edit]
Retrieved from "https://tfwiki.duckdns.org/index.php?title=Peter_Cullen&oldid=1883236"