How Peter Cullen Found His Voice for Optimus Prime

Long before he became the voice audiences trusted to lead the Autobots, Peter Cullen learned something simple from his brother: real strength doesn't need to shout. That lesson, more than anything else, shaped the character he'd go on to voice for over 40 years.

Peter Cullen, who died last week at 85, was best known for his commanding voice as Optimus Prime. He first voiced the autobot in the original animated "Transformers" series in 1984, then reprised the role in Michael Bay's live-action film series starting in 2007.

Peter Cullen at the premiere of Dreamworks' "Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen" on June 22, 2009 in Westwood, Los Angeles | Source: Getty Images

In a 2014 interview with NPR, Cullen opened up about how he landed the role, tracing it back to his brother Larry, a Marine veteran he was living with when he auditioned for the original 1980s animated show.

Cullen went to the audition not knowing much about the role, except that it was for a “hero truck.” When he told Larry about it, his brother offered a piece of advice: real heroes didn't need to yell or perform strength. “Be strong enough to be gentle,” Cullen recalled his brother telling him.

Peter Cullen at the Optimus Prime hand and footprint ceremony held at TCL Chinese Theatre on September 30, 2014 | Soruce: Getty Images

That idea inspired Cullen’s performance as Optimus Prime. But instead of inventing the character from scratch, he used his brother’s demeanor as inspiration, leading with calm authority instead of volume.

Cullen also recalled learning he had a knack for voices during his childhood summers working on a farm. He discovered he could command attention from animals by just using his voice. “I must have been 8 years old ... and I was the king of the cows,” he said.

Beyond Optimus Prime, Cullen admitted he was also fond of voicing Eeyore from “Winnie the Pooh.” “I enjoyed doing Eeyore because he was simply charming,” he said.

Cullen died on August 26 in his Los Angeles home. His family shared that he passed away peacefully and surrounded by his loved ones.