Peter Cullen passed away at the age of 85 on August 26, 2026.
When the news broke, my heart immediately sank. A wave of numbness and emptiness swept over me. I immediately thought I needed to write something. I was at work, and I told Bill [Bodkin, the Editor-in-Chief of Pop Break]. I wanted to write a tribute to Peter Cullen. I’m glad I waited. The day felt like a mess, I somehow got through the workday, came home. I am fortunate enough that I was greeted with hugs and tears from all three of my children. Two of whom met Peter Cullen just a few years ago.
I cried. I’m sure many out there did. I have no shame in admitting it.
The world lost a multi-generational Legend. For 40 years, Peter Cullen gave voice and life to countless characters, commercials, and video games. He was most famous for being the voice of the heroic leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime. Some were surprised to learn he also was the voice of the stoic Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. He continued voicing characters up until recently as the voice of Thadeus from Invincible. During the early days of Toonami, Cullen narrated advertisements for famous anime shows such as The Big O, Gundam, Dragon Ball Z, and many more. These promos would become must-see television. Fans anticipated the advertisements more than the episodes themselves, simply because of the epic voice narrating such an intense story.
Let’s talk a little bit about the man behind the charismatic voice. Peter Cullen is known for his kindness, compassion, and a personable and approachable demeanor. Universally known to warmly greet fans at conventions, events, and even off the street. He garnered respect where fans did not want to approach, but would find themselves invited instead. This is the type of man Peter Cullen was. a kind and gentle being. These were words that he learned from his brother Larry, who served in the military. He told a story of discussing his audition to voice a truck, who would become a leader. Larry said:
“Be strong enough to be gentle.”
This is the piece of advice which formed the basis for the legendary Transformer Optimus Prime.
I took my kids to a convention in Edison, NJ to meet him. One of my children saw on the poster, the Predator. Not knowing anything about the movie, she asked him to do the voice. He looked at me, smiled, leaned over to her, and made the sound effects. They both laughed, and the smile on his face said it all. This is a man who truly enjoys what he does, and to see that brought both him and my daughter such joy.
In tribute to Peter Cullen, TFW2005.com displayed a grey theme, mirroring the tragic scene in which Optimus Prime falls to Megatron in the animated movie. It seems chilling that this year we have been celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 1986 animated movie in theaters, and in less than one month the movie will be shown for one weekend only. It’s going to hit much harder now with the loss of the icon.
It’s hard to describe the sadness. It’s surreal. I am not related to him, I only met him a few times, but it still hurts. It’s like you could be walking down the street and you hear a familiar voice, and that familiarity brings a wave of emotions. Happy, joyful, nostalgic, comforting, and heroic. On a personal level it comes down to Transformers. It’s my number one hobby from childhood, all the way to the present.
Peter Cullen voiced my hero, Optimus Prime. It’s the voice many, if not all fans of cartoons in the 80s and 90s regard as a heroic icon, know Peter Cullen is Optimus Prime. There are many who have lent their voices to the heroic Autobot leader, Gary Chalk, David Kaye, and most recently Alan Tudyk. Even parody voice actors such as Dr. Smoov. Whenever anyone attempts to portray Optimus Prime, immediately tries to replicate the charismatic voice of Peter Cullen.
It’s been a challenge to write a coherent tribute in honor of someone who I have looked up to for 40 years. I recall a famous line from The Sandlot, where the ghost of Babe Ruth says to Scotty Smalls “ Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.”
Peter Cullen will live on in the hearts of all who grew up with the animation of the 80’s, 90’s, 2000s and beyond.
