Peter Cullen
Peter Cullen | |
---|---|
Born | Peter Claver Cullen July 28, 1941 |
Education | National Theatre School (BFA) |
Occupation | Voice actor |
Years active | 1962–present |
Children | 4 |
Relatives | Molly Culver (daughter-in-law) |
Peter Claver Cullen (born July 28, 1941) is a Canadian voice actor. He is notable for voicing
He was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2023 as part of the 2nd Children's and Family Emmy Awards.[2]
Early life
Cullen was born on July 28, 1941, in Montreal, Quebec, to Henry and Muriel (née McCann) Cullen. He is of Irish descent. He has three siblings: Michaela, Sonny, and Larry. He is a member of the first graduating class of the National Theatre School of Canada, which he graduated in 1963.[3] His brother, Larry Cullen, was a retired captain in the United States Marine Corps, and helped inspire the voice of Optimus Prime.[4]
Career
1960–1970
In 1968, he and
Cullen played a French-Canadian astronaut character named Commander Bi Bi Latuque alongside
From 1971 to 1974, he, Zeigler and
As Optimus Prime
Cullen recalls auditioning for the role of the robot character Optimus Prime at a casting house in Burbank, California, explaining that as he read Prime's character breakdown, he saw that it was "the opportunity of the year", and heeded his brother Larry's advice: "Peter, don't be a Hollywood hero, be a real hero. Real heroes don't yell and act tough; they're tough enough to be gentle, so control yourself."[4][7] Cullen later learned from his agent, Steve Tisherman, that he not only won the part of Prime, but also, to his surprise, the role of Ironhide as well, which he saw as a "home run".[4]
He has stated that Optimus is his favorite voice role, and that he based the voice of the Autobot leader on his older brother Larry, who served in Vietnam. "When he came home, I could see a change. He was quieter and he was a man and a superhero to me," says the actor. "I watched him and listened to him. I'd never had an opportunity to do a superhero, and when that came, [that voice] just came right out of me and I sounded like Optimus."[8]
He has also stated that he had no idea of Prime's popularity until the character's controversial death in the
Cullen reprised the role of Optimus Prime in the 2007 Transformers live-action film, the sequels Revenge of the Fallen, Dark of the Moon, Age of Extinction and The Last Knight, the spin-off/prequels Bumblebee[9] and Rise of the Beasts and the video games based on the film series. Though he was only contractually obligated to voice Optimus up to The Last Knight,[7] producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura stated in 2021 that Cullen was welcome to voice the character for as long as he wanted.[10]
Cullen again reprised his role as Optimus Prime in the video games Transformers: War for Cybertron, Transformers: Fall of Cybertron and Transformers: Devastation, and in the recent television series Transformers: Rescue Bots, Transformers: Prime and Transformers: Robots in Disguise. His performance in the premiere season of Transformers: Prime earned him a nomination for a 2011 Daytime Emmy Award in the Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program category.
Other work
In the 1980s and 1990s, Cullen appeared on a number of television shows. He has played Coran, Stride the Tiger Fighter, and King Alfor in the
Among many other television series and films, he has also lent his
He voiced
Cullen has done voicework on drum and bass DJ Dieselboy's 2004 album, The Dungeonmaster's Guide, and narration on the 2013 album Tetragrammaton by the Dutch extreme metal band The Monolith Deathcult. Tetragrammaton also featured Cullen on bass in "God's Among Insects."[11] Additionally, he did voicework for the unreleased Blizzard Entertainment game Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans,[12] and provided narration for the Star Wars fan film series I.M.P.S.: The Relentless.[13]
Cullen is a voice announcer on
He has also done voice work for promotions of the 1999 film The Iron Giant.[citation needed] In 2023 he joined season 2 of Amazon Originals Invincible series.
Personal life
Cullen has four children: Clay,[15] Angus, Claire, and Pilar, and three grandchildren. He is a good friend of his longtime Transformers co-star and fellow voice actor Frank Welker, in contrast to the rivalry of their respective characters.[16]
Cullen is a devoted fan and supporter of NASA, citing the Apollo 11 Moon landing in 1969 as the start of his interest.[17][18] As such, he sees the interaction between Optimus Prime and Buzz Aldrin in Dark of the Moon as one of his proudest moments.
Honours
At BotCon 2010, Hasbro named Cullen as one of the first four human inductees in the Transformers Hall of Fame for his role as the voice of Optimus Prime.[19]
Filmography
Film
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1967–68 | The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour | Announcer | |
1974 | The Bobbie Gentry Show | ||
1979 | Mighty Man and Yukk | Brandon Brewster / Mighty Man | |
Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo | Additional Voices | ||
1981 | The Kwicky Koala Show | Bristletooth | |
The Smurfs | Additional Voices | ||
Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends | Dr. Bruce Banner / Hulk, Mysterio, Red Skull | 2 episodes | |
1982 | The Scooby & Scrappy-Doo/Puppy Hour | Lucky | |
Spider-Man | Red Skull, Stuntman, Jack Riven | ||
Meatballs & Spaghetti | Additional Voices | ||
Pac-Man | Sour Puss | ||
The Little Rascals | Officer Ed, Pete the Pup | ||
Knight Rider | K.A.R.R.
|
1st voice; Episode: "Trust Doesn't Rust" | |
1983 | Monchhichis | Shreeker, Snitchitt, Gonker | |
The Puppy's Further Adventures | Lucky | ||
The Biskitts | Dog Foot, Fang, Scratch | ||
Saturday Supercade | Mario | ||
The Dukes | Additional Voices | ||
1983–85 | Mister T | Additional Voices | |
Dungeons & Dragons | Venger | ||
1984 | Dragon's Lair | Bertram | |
Heathcliff and the Catillac Cats
|
Additional Voices | ||
Snorks | Additional Voices | ||
1984–86 | Rainbow Brite | Murky Dismal | |
1984–85 | Alvin and the Chipmunks | Additional Voices | |
Lucky Luke | English dub | ||
1984–87 | The Transformers | Optimus Prime, Ironhide, Streetwise, Wingspan, Slugslinger, Nightstick | |
1984 | Voltron: Defender of the Universe
|
Coran, King Alfor, Narrator | |
1985 | The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo | Maldor the Malevolent | |
Challenge of the GoBots | Spoiler, Tank, Pincher | ||
The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians | Felix Faust | Episode: "Brainchild/The Case of the Stolen Super Powers" | |
1985–86 | G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
|
Airborne, Ramar, Zandar | |
1985–87 | The Jetsons | Additional Voices | |
1986 | MoonDreamers | Igon, Various characters | Episode: "Zodies on the Loose" |
Rambo: The Force of Freedom | Sergeant Havoc | ||
Muppet Babies | Sor-Elbow, Smoggy the Bear, Football Bear | Episode: "Fozzie's Family Tree" | |
Ghostbusters | Eddie Spenser Jr., Eddie Spenser Sr., Haunter, Floatzart | ||
Pound Puppies | Captain Slaughter | 4 episodes | |
The New Adventures of Jonny Quest | Patch | Episode: "Peril of the Reptilian" | |
Foofur | Baby the Rat, Vinnie the Cat | ||
My Little Pony | Captain Crabnasty | Episode: "Fugitive Flowers" | |
1987–88 | BraveStarr | Dr. Whiston, Dr. Watson, Hack | |
DuckTales | Admiral Grimitz, Bankjob Beagle, Mad Dog McGirk, Lessdred | ||
1987 | The Little Wizards | Renwick, Various characters | |
The Real Ghostbusters | Doctor Destructo, Police Officer | Episode: "Captain Steel Saves the Day" | |
Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light | Cindarr | ||
1987–89 | Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs | Commander Eagle, Narrator, Nemesis | |
1988 | Dino-Riders | Gunner, Antor, Bomba | Episode: "Toro Toro Torosaurus" |
1988–89 | The New Yogi Bear Show | Ranger Roubideux | |
1988 | The Wonderful World of Disney
|
The Sorcerer | Episode: "Mickey's 60th Birthday" |
1988–91 | The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh | Eeyore | |
1988–90 | Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears
|
Kerwin the Conqueror, Gritty | |
1988–89 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Smash, Mugger, Napoleon | |
1989 | Rude Dog and the Dweebs | Herman, Winston | |
1989–90 | Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers | Monterey Jack, additional voices | |
1990 | TaleSpin | Additional Voices | Episode: "It Came from Beneath the Sea Duck" |
1990–93 | Tom & Jerry Kids | Additional Voices | |
1990–91 | Widget the World Watcher
|
Bob the Poacher, Rooney Kangaroo, Gdunu | |
1991–93 | The Pirates of Dark Water | Mantus | |
1993 | Bonkers | Abominable Snowman, Mackey McSlime | |
1994 | Hardball | Fox Announcer | Episode: "Lee's Bad, Bad Day" |
1996 | Boo to You Too! Winnie the Pooh | Eeyore | |
1998–present | The Magical World of Walt Disney | ||
2001 | House of Mouse | ||
2001–2002 | The Book of Pooh | ||
2004–05 | Megas XLR | Zanzoar, Klaar | |
2005–06 | IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix
|
Narrator | |
2007–10 | My Friends Tigger & Pooh | Eeyore | |
2009 | Knight Rider | K.A.R.R. | Episode: "Knight in King's Pawn" |
Bizarre Dinosaurs | Narrator | ||
2010–13 | Transformers: Prime | Optimus Prime, Vehicon | |
2011–16 | Transformers: Rescue Bots | Optimus Prime | |
2014 | 2014 Kids' Choice Awards | ||
2015–17 | Transformers: Robots in Disguise | ||
2017 | Doc McStuffins | Eeyore | Episode: "Into the Hundred Acre Wood" |
2017–2018 | Transformers: Titans Return | Optimus Prime | |
2018 | The Toys That Made Us | Himself Optimus Prime |
|
Transformers: Power of the Primes
|
Optimus Prime | ||
2019 | Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Yōkai Councillor #1 | 3 episodes |
2023 | Invincible | Thaedus | |
2024 | The Masked Singer | Optimus Prime | Episode: Transformers Night |
Video games
Year | Title | Voice role |
---|---|---|
2003 | Piglet's Big Game | Eeyore |
2007 | Transformers: The Game | Optimus Prime |
Transformers Autobots | ||
2009 | Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen | |
Transformers Revenge of the Fallen: Autobots | ||
2010 | Transformers: War for Cybertron | |
Transformers: Cybertron Adventures | ||
2011 | Transformers: Dark of the Moon | |
2012 | Transformers: Fall of Cybertron | |
2012 | Transformers: Prime – The Game | |
2014 | Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark | |
2015 | Transformers: Devastation | |
2016 | Transformers: Earth Wars | |
2019 | Crystal Crisis | Narrator |
2023 | Fortnite | Optimus Prime |
Theme park rides
Year | Title | Voice role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2003 | The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh | Eeyore | |
2011 | Transformers: The Ride 3D | Optimus Prime |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Film/TV Show | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program | Transformers Prime |
Nominated |
2023 | Children's and Family Emmy Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award | — | Won |
References
- ^ Gilchrist, Todd (June 8, 2007). "Exclusive: Peter Cullen Interview". IGN. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012.
- ^ Moye, Clarence (November 17, 2021). "NATAS Announces Voice Actor Peter Cullen Will Receive Lifetime Achievement Honors at 2nd Annual Children's & Family Emmy® Awards". Awards Daily. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ All Our Alumni Archived 2012-05-12 at the Wayback Machine, National Theatre School of Canada, ent-nts.ca; accessed August 18, 2015.
- ^ a b c Hidalgo, Pablo. Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe Showcasing Rare Collectibles and Memorabilia, Abrams, 2011, Foreword by Peter Cullen, p. 7
- ^ "The Buddies". January 4, 2011.
- ^ The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (TV Series 1967–1993) - IMDb, retrieved March 6, 2021
- ^ a b Lee, Chris (Spring 2014). "An Optimal Voice for Optimus". Hero Complex, Los Angeles Times. p. 22
- Zap2It, 7 November 2006.
- ^ Optimus Prime Returning for the Bumblebee Spinoff Movie – Screen Rant
- ^ "Transformers: Peter Cullen Will Play Optimus Prime Until He Says Otherwise".
- ^ Review of Tetragrammaton by The Monolith Deathcult, Metal-fi.com
- ^ Blizzard Entertainment, Coming Soon magazine
- ^ "IMPS Chapter One FAQ". Impstherelentless.com. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
- ^ Handout. "Police Story 4: First Strike". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
- ^ "Optimus Prime Wants Michael Bay to Direct 'Transformers 5'". screenrant.com. September 24, 2014.
- ^ "Frank Welker". Behind The Voice Actors.
- ^ "Optimus Prime actor Peter Cullen 'developed a love of NASA and anything related to space'". YouTube.
- ^ "NASA Announces Winners of Optimus Prime Spinoff Video Contest - Transformers News - TFW2005". March 4, 2011.
- ^ "TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame Peter Cullen" (video). Hasbro. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
- ^ Voice of Optimus Prime is also The Predator (vocalizations by Peter Cullen). Retrieved April 14, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
External links
- Peter Cullen at IMDb
- Peter Cullen at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Peter Cullen at AllMovie