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Voice actor Peter Cullen (Transformers, Predator), perhaps best known for voicing Autobot Optimus Prime, credits nature as one source of inspiration for his many voices and sounds. He shared stories about his early career during a panel discussion with moderator Elgin David at GalaxyCon Richmond, a popular comic con in Virginia.
On Finding His Voices
As a kid, Cullen spent summers in Upstate New York at a farm, where he found a ready audience. He said, “I discovered that when I was in the dairy barn with all the cows, all the milkers, I could get their attention by making a noise of some kind. They would all look at my direction.”
Cullen went on to study at the National Theatre School of Canada, and then worked in plays, television and radio across the country. When he left Canada and came to Hollywood in the early 1970s, he landed a role in a new variety show, It’s a A Wacky World, but it didn’t get picked up for a series.
Although crushed by the bad news, Cullen’s spirits were buoyed by the possibility of another job five days later. “A Canadian contingent was hired to produce and musical-direct The Sonny & Cher Show. They were a group that had ‘I Got You Babe,’ a hit, and they had a nightclub act in Vegas. Somebody at CBS decided they would do an hour show.”
It turned out that Sonny and Cher needed an announcer and Cullen tried out. He did the sound effects for the opening credits in one take, which was used for the four years of the show’s run. He also worked on-camera for some episodes.
On Transitioning to Voiceover
Reflecting on what he encountered in Hollywood, Cullen decided that he preferred voiceover. He pursued a grueling schedule of auditions. “I got an agent. He sent me out every day for eight months and nothing ever connected. I didn’t give up. I kept plowing away and finally, Betty Crocker Snackin Cake came along! It played for about three years.”
He also started working in cartoons, meeting Frank Welker (Curious George, Scooby-Doo!) in the late 1970s during the short-lived series Mighty Man & Yukk, about a superhero and a dog that fight crime. “I gave up anything that was on-camera and just did voiceover. Being with Frank, I learned a lot, too, because his versatility brought out all these memories in me.”
Cullen’s voiceover credits since then include memorable titles such as Transformers, Predator, Winnie the Pooh, and most recently, the Transformers live action films and Invincible.
On Optimus Prime
Cullen teamed up with Welker again in 1984 for Transformers, portraying respectively Optimus Prime and Megatron in the war between Autobots and Decepticons. Since 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of Transformers‘ debut, both voice actors have kept busy meeting fans and celebrating the milestone. Welker also presented Cullen with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Children’s & Family Emmys on December 17, 2023.
With Transformers, Cullen continues to be amazed by the fanbase of Optimus Prime. And the responsibility of voicing the Autobot isn’t lost on him. “I’m constantly thinking of the qualities that Prime has to convey in a positive way and a good way for kids. That started way back then. It’s all [about] integrity, honesty, responsibility, [and] the value of life,” he said.
His comic con travels even took him to the Middle East Film & Comic Con in the United Arab Emirates. “It’s worldwide. I think the positive traits that Optimus conveys are a positive thing for me inside. That’s given me that sense of value that I’m doing something good.”
Visit the GalaxyCon Richmond website for more information.
