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During FAN EXPO Chicago, moderator Krystle Elyse Colon asked voice actors Peter Cullen (Rescue Rangers) and Frank Welker (Scooby Doo, Where are You?) at what point they knew The Transformers started becoming popular. Fans have been celebrating the cartoon about the Autobots and Decepticons for the 40th anniversary since its premiere on TV. And this year, they are celebrating at FAN EXPO Chicago.
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Welker, who portrays Megatron in the series, said, “With Transformers, actually most of the shows back in the day, the studios never really gave the actors mail.”
“The only way you really knew your show was popular was [if] you got picked up for another season. We got picked up a few times, and we just assumed, ‘Hey, we got a job!’ Then, when the Internet came along, things changed. We really found out how popular shows were.”
Cullen agreed, thinking back to his time as Autobot leader Optimus Prime. Years later, he found out that many parents wrote to the studio after his character died in the 1986 film, leading to Prime’s return in the cartoon series. Cullen said, “If there was an Internet, they probably wouldn’t have wanted to kill me.”
Coming Back to Transformers
Over the summer, movie theaters screened the first four episodes of the classic TV series. The 40th anniversary screening also included an exclusive table read with Cullen, Welker, and other cast members. Beyond the original series, Cullen and Welker reprised their roles in various ways since the 2000s, such as a ride at Universal Studios, video games, other cartoons, and live-action films.
A memorable project for both actors was Transformers: Prime. Whereas for the live-action films they recorded individually, they reunited in the recording studio for the Netflix animated series.
Welker said, “We were able to interact and act off each other, and that was a thrill again. I really enjoyed that. That was a very positive, fun job. And it was a different iteration for me as Megatron.”
Looking Back to Early Influences
At the Q&A, I asked both voice actors about when they relocated to Los Angeles. I wanted to know if any established LA actors influenced the beginning of their careers around the early 1970s, whether in person or by example.
Welker answered first by mentioning Jonathan Winters, “one of the greatest comedians of all time.” Initially, he and Cullen knew Winters separately, but eventually they hung out as a trio. “We idolized him. We both were in tears whenever we were with him. He was so funny.”
“[Jonathan] taught us humility and what comedy really is. He was just a giant. It was an honor to be in his presence. And Peter—to find out that we both had the same idol and then got to actually be with him together was incredible!”
Staying on the comedian track, Cullen quoted the advice Lucille Ball offered to many young actors. “Never say no to a job. No matter how small or unimportant you may think it is, never say no to it because every job leads to another job.”
He found himself reflecting on that tip in his early years as an actor. He said, “Somehow, you’re going to make a difference in the production you’re in. Somebody is going to see something and they’re going to hire you for what they saw. And that’s exactly how careers are made.”
Visit the FAN EXPO Chicago website for more fan culture news.
