Peter Cullen



Peter Cullen (1944–) is an American voice actor (though originally from Canada) who has earned fame, respect and admiration as the voice of the original Optimus Prime.

In 2006 it was announced that he would be voicing 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 addition to Transformers, some of Cullen's other roles include Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, Venger from Dungeons & Dragons, Bankjob Beagle from Ducktales, Cindarr from Visionaries, Zandar and Nemesis Enforcer from G.I. Joe, K.A.R.R. from Knight Rider and as the title villain from Predator. He has also recently done announcer work for commercials for the U.S. Navy, taking over the job from Keith David, the announcer for the U.S. Navy for a number of years.

The Transformers

 * Ironhide
 * Nightstick
 * Optimus Prime
 * Clone (episode 11)
 * Slugslinger
 * Streetwise
 * Wingspan

Transformers (2007 movie)

 * Optimus Prime

Transformers: The Game

 * Optimus Prime

Transformers: Beginnings

 * Optimus Prime

Trivia

 * In 1984, he created the voice of Optimus Prime by emulating the mannerisms of his older brother, who had served in the United States Marine Corps prior to him, in the Vietnam War.


 * Yes, Optimus Prime is his favorite voice acting role.


 * He also loves being Eeyore.


 * 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 (2007). Let's try and picture Optimus Prime driving himself for a moment. Has your brain exploded yet from the sheer awesomeness?


 * The mid-range 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.


 * Transformers: Destiny has since made that idea part of official fiction where Peter Cullen is Optimus Prime's holographic driver. Brain exploding in 3...2...1....


 * He has also been the Toonami announcer (or as TOM calls him: "The Big Guy") for many years, allowing him to narrate commercials for Armada, Energon and Cybertron.


 * He also announced episodes in commercials for Transformers Animated.


 * 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.