08/27/2026
Peter Cullen.
The voice of Optimus Prime. And for me, so much more than that.
Optimus Prime was one of my childhood heroes. He represented strength, courage, compassion, loyalty and, most importantly, being a force for good. Peter Cullen gave that character a voice that could make a kid believe that doing the right thing actually mattered.
I’ve loved Optimus Prime for pretty much my entire life, and I don’t think I ever really outgrew him. Some characters just become part of who you are, and Optimus was one of those for me.
Peter Cullen passed away at 85, and honestly, this one hurts.
And what a rough week it has been for the people who grew up with these larger-than-life voices and personalities. Tim Curry. Dolly Parton. And now Peter Cullen. Three completely different talents, but all of them left an imprint on generations of people.
Peter Cullen didn’t just voice Optimus Prime. He helped define what a hero sounded like.
Thank you, Peter.
“Be strong enough to be gentle.”
That’s a hell of a legacy.
Rest easy, Optimus. 🤖❤️
