Uncovering the Surprising Voice Behind Optimus Prime in Transformers Movie

[@imhuman125]

I really love that voice dude

[@brogantaylor5505]

This man made my childhood and even into my teen years with these films no body else will ever be a prime in my eyes only him because after all he literally is him

[@rosewetzel8284]

I truly love Optimus Prime💞

[@cjwatt4949]

It’s getting deeper though. Soon it’ll be too hard for us to recognize him

[@footyroll8678]

the fact he has been playing it for 40 years is crazy. he is 81 now. tough to see anyone else in this role@@cjwatt4949

[@rathermischeviousindeed]

@@cjwatt4949 no it will just get wiser

[@bonnielass3975]

OMG the chills when he started talking like Optimus Prime! Fan girling!

[@batulsaifee741]

1.2 likes and no replies? Lemme fix that

[@yann28222]

0 likes and no replies? Lemme fix that

[@batulsaifee741]

@@yann28222 ?

[@86olaszadam]

Always ☺️

[@soniaargaez1577]

Same here! ❤

[@CDNBreadDogs]

"Be strong enough to be gentle" that has to be the best advice I've ever heard for any leader figure

[@CaptainCretaceous91]

Advice that we should all take to heart. I know I do.

[@GORT70]

Best advice for any man.

[@KingAtreides03]

Yh what a quote

[@Yroko]

​@@KingAtreides03larry tells him only action heroes yell and scream. A real hero should be strong enough to be gentle. The full interview for his story about how his brother inspired him hits right in the heart.

[@KingAtreides03]

@@Yrokowow amazing and it’s true. Look at the generals eg Caesar , Alexander the Great etc they were renowned for being clam under pressure

[@breandanh4912]

"Be strong enough to be gentle" Never have I understand my own father's leadership style in such a succinct way.

[@JuanDiegoMieres]

Not just for leaders

[@LuisGonzalez-dq4bg]

❤

[@dakapil8398]

Now I realize why Optimus Prime really echoes to me. Strong but gentle voice

[@avthecool129]

Frrrrrr

[@JC-hu6wg]

That… actually makes so much sense. “Strong enough to be gentle.” I hear that so much in how he portrayed Prime. Kudos to both brothers. They made a legend.

[@danielbuzo7261]

When he flipped into the voice, I got chills. Very well done.

[@simonvenegas5156]

Right he was having normal conversation his voice changed. That's pure talent.😮

[@izzojoseph2]

Me too!!😂😂

[@tadlockje]

Ditto. I get goose bumps because Peter Cullen is the one remaining part of the Transformers that remains from the ones I watched as a kid.

[@MisasaHachi]

❤😭😁⭐😻

[@Lithid303]

I’m in my late 40’s and I still smile like a child every time I hear Optimus voice. Ty for innocence of a great childhood hero.

[@devilsephiroth9000]

You can't help but get hit with nostalgia like a truck named Optimus prime

[@eligebrown8998]

Same here

[@cliftonwilliams7500]

Agree vioce made for prime thank you for sharing your precious sound with the world

[@landonsrt9587]

Turned it into a 40 year career!

[@joseprado8538]

Bro my dumbass read ur comment as "turned it into a 40 year cancer" lmao

[@AngieCarr]

W Larry for inspiring Peter and by extension Optimus…RESPECT!!! ✊🏽

[@jaws666]

​​@@AngieCarrjust goes to show the advice can come from the most unexpected of sources.

[@neruil77]

​@@joseprado8538YAY

[@IVANGARCIA-ks4vp]

Is he the original voice on the TV animated series?

[@USAFreewayROTF]

Larry is proud of him, he is smiling upon his brother from heaven. I will forever respect Peter for his inspiration and his love for the role of Optimus Prime.

[@d3rpybac0n83]

“If you’re going to be a leader, be strong enough to be gentle.” - Larry Cullen

[@theodorenewmunir9100]

🙏🏾

[@NinjaSushi2]

His brother must have been one hell of a Marine.

[@Theoriginalbubbafett]

🫡Larry Cullen, I guess you could say he was the Allspark.

[@SallyAcornZ]

And he sounded like the character he voices when he said it.

[@NinjaSushi2]

His brother must have been one hell of a marine to give advice that good that quick.

[@shaungregory8907]

This was the perfect casting. I could never imagine anyone else doing this voice

[@Movie-Collectibles]

Frank Welker was also a perfect voice match for Megatron, especially that evil laugh he does.

[@the-ironclad]

Kevin Conroy would be my second choice

[@OpinionatedGamer]

@@the-ironclad I feel like his approach to Batmans voice is very similar.

[@fance210thewise9]

Chris Hemsworth

[@Jaedon1981]

I'm a 42yo man that got chills hearing this dude speak that line. I grew up thinking of what Optimus Prime would sound like in the actual Transformers movie. He far exceeded my expectations. Seeing Optimus transform for the 1st time.....just like the 1st avengers movie. If you grew up reading those comics and cartoons, it brings out the kid in you that's shameless. It makes you glad to see such things that you never thought that you'd live long enough to see because people would talk about it, but you'd never think that you'd get a chance to see. It's a beautiful thing. You get to show your kids the history of even things like this. As fictional as these characters are, you can't be afraid to have a love for these things since your childhood. It's what keeps you human, it's the inner child that we all have, but the world and society tries to force you to suppress it. But, that inner child rooted in optimism, fun and being open to experiences. Never lose that. Never lose that....

[@TonyPeePee]

Well said my brother, even Jesus said as much, “Except you come as a little child you shall in no wise enter the Kingdom, for it belongs to them” 🫡

[@arnoldice8079]

Thanks man ❤...I won't 😢

[@TheGrimReapersx]

Now this is the real PRIME Calling all autobots CALLING ALL AUTOBOTS!

[@patrickpelletier4145]

He'll always be remembered as a Prime

[@TheGrimReapersx]

@@patrickpelletier4145 on everything i grew up with this man as prime i cant even imagine some else as him

[@frizzledaddy]

Roll out!

[@MrZomg17]

@TheGrimReapersx you just gave m chills as i repeated those words in my head as Prime.

[@EerieProps]

​@@MrZomg17Same! 😊

[@Be-lowMe]

When his time comes to pass, it’ll be a sad sad day. He was my childhood & it’ll be one less thing i have to hold onto from it. Being in my 40’s makes me realize that time goes quick

[@inherentnature]

Peter Cullen; thank you for making my adulthood almost as good as my childhood.

[@scribble9431]

The legendary man who brought optimus prime to life!

[@briangiven7399]

He modeled his Optimus Prime voice after his USMC brother, that's so touching and respectful ❤

[@capt.morgan5921]

That voice makes you want to stand up for what is right in the world!!! OptimusPrime❤

[@rajeevsharma7160]

🎉❤

[@OnurTheXbot]

“When I voiced Prime, for the very first time” Peter dropping bars

[@lamarbedawy]

I thought that too!😂😂😂

[@lordmegatrong1918]

Peter Cullen do be spitting facts too.

[@bored-bee01]

Prime Time!

[@lordmegatrong1918]

@@bored-bee01 yes.

[@Sanchyyy13]

I legit rapped it in my head

[@nellanellaperched6767]

Youre amazing man. Thanks for your commitment. None of us can imagine another voice. You ARE optimus prime

[@unknownoriginal8004]

He gave prime the voice of a true hero. His brothers voice. ❤

[@macari72]

Took me a moment to realize this. Then I cried.

[@JayRicoche]

​@@macari72 Stay strong buddy 🍻

[@filbertovandette]

​@@colekter5940some people have brothers they miss....

[@michaelenglish839]

​@@colekter5940You're a sociopath.

[@Metalman200xdamnit]

Optimus Prime was more than a fictional character. He was a father to kids of the 80s. You could tell Peter's brother,Larry,gave the best advice,and it showed through OP's actions and words.

[@ladysilverwynde]

You didn't simply voice a truck, Mr. Cullen, you voiced a true hero to so many people. We love you for that. ❤

[@NOWrunAMOK]

Well said!! 👍🏽

[@sarahh1043]

Amen!😊

[@iceman-ko6xi]

it's a fake movie. you act like he saved the world.

[@PizzaTime1983]

A legend and an Icon!!!❤

[@lfbaez]

​@@iceman-ko6xihe's been voicing him since the cartoons, when we were kids, he was our childhood which sounds like you didn't have one

[@Bas-TB]

I love how he quotes his brother sounding like a human version of Optimus and that he followed his advice.

[@PiazzaGurl]

Man i still get chills. The man is an icon like Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, James Avery. We hear the voices and we know!

[@DanielMartinez-uw5jx]

I can't think of Optimus Prime without that voice. Legendary.

[@littleone2800]

That was my childhood. Even to this day, I can hear the movies and know what's going on without watching . His voice has become iconic.❤

[@axr973]

Peter Cullen and kevin conroy are the goats of voice acting Edit: thanks for 1k likes guys and this thread is very wholesome

[@coolbone6177]

IMO Mark hamil joker is also

[@JamesSmith-gm7fm]

Don't forget steve blum

[@TotallyASquirrel]

and frank welker

[@Krackalackamore]

And Clancy brown

[@goldvoltage9053]

Matt Mercer too since he voices literally everyone and does incredible every time

[@raviyeshi6384]

We are really blessed to have him as our Optimus prime ❤ even after watching so many times it still gives chill and nostalgia

[@jern75]

Hearing Peter talking Optimus brings back my childhood. I hope he lives forever.😊 Optimus prime is the best example of a perfect leader.

[@pinoi78]

Congratulations on your lifetime Emmy achievement award Peter. You were certainly a part of my childhood.

[@Justarandomreviwer]

One of the best of our time. The transformers community owes him an unpayable debt

[@alaneskew2664]

The world does

[@andrewpotter9613]

Rightt we wouldn't have Optimus Prime cause he was before Kevin Conroy! And he also gave us Ironhide

[@Dre_Zoom]

Optimus Prime was a father figure for millions of kids growing up in the 80s.

[@skywarp1]

Tears in my eyes every time I hear Peter Cullen voice Optimus Prime

[@giordanobrandonbonjovitrib889]

Same here, hope i can meet him someday

[@ptolemyphilopator]

Me too

[@zillain]

fun fact: he also came up with the sounds Predator makes. Dude’s my hero.

[@nami1530]

'My name is Optimus prime' Brought goosebumps 🔥

[@Questfinder1]

As powerful as James earl Jones in Field of dreams saying Baseball. That deep baritone. Their voice exudes confidence and authority yet calm and gentle

[@taladiv3415]

And you definitely blessed us with our animated father figure! Thank you dear Peter Cullen. ❤

[@enjoyer6201]

I’ll be very sad when it’s his time. I don’t give two rats about celebrities or movie stars or rock stars, but this man is different. He’s the voice that means so much to more than one generation. Optimus would not have been Optimus without him.

[@Fuckyoutubecensorship1]

I agree

[@WorgenGrrl]

Until all are One

[@jonhanson6128]

Well said

[@daveortwine2641]

Too bad some of the newer ones went woke

[@thisguyhd6591]

​@@WorgenGrrlhuh ?

[@Gene00014]

We love you and thanks for voicing Optimus Prime.

[@benjaminlumpkin107]

"Be strong enough to be Gentle"

[@iam_churchill]

in instantly got goosebumps when he said my name is optimus prime.

[@Kikoou]

"Be strong enough to be gentle" hits way too hard

[@halfblackcoffee5778]

fast forward to Revenge of the Fallen :" GIVE ME YOUR FACE!"

[@rohandebbarma24]

Childhood filled with memories. From owning action figures to watching movies. We've all come a long way.

[@benkayvfalsifier3817]

That is the *best* description I've ever heard of Optimus Prime's voice and the fact that it came from *the* voice actor himself just makes it even better. It sounds like pure power and control, but with loving-kindess.

[@AKIBAEVO]

The smile he gets when he tells this story (and talks about his brother) is so genuine no wonder he voices the greatest leader of all time

[@Donkimusprime]

The voice just gives chills

[@ashakydd1]

It is so eerie to hear that voice come something other than a giant robot.

[@KeyLazy1]

it does to me to … everytime, i can not help it, way too perfect!

[@BruceLee-xn3nn]

I'm an old man and it still gives me chills.

[@julez4jesus]

His voice is SO awesome!! 🤩🤩🤩 I love it!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@aw8357]

The "My name is Optimus Prime" gave me legit goosebumbs

[@DeadlyScramjet]

Goosebumps every time seeing my hero come to life being voiced by a man that created my childhood

[@Nimstone]

Wow that voice takes me back nearly 40 years, great voice actor

[@AiruxuL]

bro that voice by the end got me the chills!!

[@tylerruddy5444]

I hear that voice, and I get shivers. It moves me so much that I nearly cry. Same thing for Kevin as Batman, just everything.

[@amyshaw3875]

Wow! This is priceless! Thank you personally for showing up on my KZbin shorts! ❤

[@cyansorcerer6491]

Peter Cullen never fails to bring a smile to my face.

[@sennoshinigami3499]

Me and my brother were hanginginh out for the first time in years and we watched this. For those who acted or played a role, thank you. I appreciate y'all for letting me be with my brother and remembering

[@PhoenixPrime]

Got to see him again last weekend, and he was just as amazing as always! Thank you for being everyone's hero, Peter!!! ❤💙

[@kilamilka97]

The most iconic voice ever!! Sends chills down your spine. ❤

[@RangaGangsta]

After leaving Cybertron, Optimus was magically turned into a human being

[@lordmegatrong1918]

your comment reminded me of something I've created but never posted. well, odd enough, I have a bit of a gorey fanfic where if a voice actor or their close sibling dies, they'd possesss the character they're famous for or had inspired the actor of. like, for an example, Scatman Crothers died in 1986, and he is famous for voicing Jazz in transformers G1, and so, Scatman Crothers possessed Jazz, giving Jazz the ability to transform into a human, though Jazz's human form is Scatman Crothers, but wearing a cloak and a hoodie, like he trying to hide his identity.

[@DeadEye_24]

When he talks normally he has a hint of prime.

[@Captain-Axeman]

I love how his voice changed. Off all the voices in the world. His Optimus Prime is the voice i wish i had the most.

[@Theoriginalbubbafett]

I can imitate a lot of voices, but not this one, and it’s maddening!

[@elliotsturtplus340]

I love how his impression of Larry is simler but not the exact same as Optimus

[@itsmesadam7933]

i don't care how many transformers movie will be, as long optimus prime still voice by peter i'm in

[@ohnonotagain8935]

Thank god for ai, and now he'll never die

[@Listenthenspk]

I love Optimus Prime - Peter is a legend!

[@brandonbeard8488]

This is the prime I grew up with. No one will ever do it better in my opinion

[@TheJaySmeets]

The most beautiful thing in this video is that you can see in his eyes that he still has so much fun and excitement left in voicing this character after more than 4 decades. Can't imagine someone else doing this iconic voice. The actor and the character has merged over the time. Keep going legend!

[@ajgardner796]

Peter Cullen and his work has given me some of the best moments in my childhood as an avid fan of transformers, I hope one day I get to meet the legend himself before I miss the opportunity forever.

[@tombrenes2411]

Just as valueable as the voice of Darth Vader True art form Since the cartion to now the movies his voice is incredible Thank you for such great memories in my childhood and motivation

[@Justanotherblackman]

I JUST recently received an autograph from this man, and I told him straight up "thank you so much for my childhood."

[@richardcarr7648]

It's the fact that he knows what it does to people to hear THAT voice and the joy it gives to so many out there Peter Cullens and Jim Cummings legends in the voice acting world to me

[@simonvenegas5156]

This man made our childhood BADASSES! I still act like a child when I'm watching Transformers 😢❤

[@dubstepphene82]

It never gets old no matter how many times you hear it.

[@walterliggins3619]

He is the voice of a generation, of nostalgia and of my childhood. Memories of joy and my childhood flood my mind evertime I hear his voice.

[@MrPoediggidy]

I just remember him doing the voice of prime when I was 8, 9, and 10 years old. I’m 48 now.

[@brandoxgameplays1251]

Brings tears to my eyes

[@eligebrown8998]

Thank you sir for all the great childhood memories. Glad I grew up in the 80s. Legend.

[@deadstomp6495]

🔥🔥🔥”When I voiced prime for the very first time”🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🔥

[@HJ26Som]

That's why optimus voice like aged man like experienced person

[@CraigDaBrute838]

Wise words from his brother 🫡

[@edgarraigoza2092]

The chills I got when he goes into the. Live brought back all my Saturday morning memories……..

[@thomasdart2663]

There is no one else who could do the deep but kind voice of Optimus Prime. Peter Cullen is one of the greats.👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Mr.ponjikkara0]

He gives me Goosebumps,when he talks like prime ❤️‍🔥

[@scottkeppler7251]

Grew up with the cartoon, and the animated movie, your an icon.

[@ashwean]

Thank god for Larry Cullen cause that bit of advice changed the world for one little boy watching Saturday morning Cartoons and hearing Autobots Roll Out for the first time I was hooked for life now almost 40 years old. I am also happy to have been able to share the entire transformers movie franchise with my oldest niece and more amazing memories of watching the entire series with her. So thank you to both Peter and Larry Cullen for not one lifetime of memories but two.

[@Tubby_Tub]

Transformers kinda got forgotten about over the last years but I feel like it should be talked about more as a franchise

[@OogaBooga24723]

Not really, Studio Series has wrapped up the bayverse and made the definitive versions of many of those characters, now moving on to concept art designs and video game characters, legacy has announced their best wave yet celebrating all parts of the franchise, transformers reactivate’s toy line is on the horizon, and it looks promising. The fandom is very much alive, just not as relevant to pop culture as in the 80s or late 2000s and early 2010s.

[@coralynrojas8934]

Wow!!! Thank you!!! Your voice is awesome!!! For years, I go to the movie theatre just to hear Optimus Prime.❤

[@MiketheRipper]

You were such a huge part of my childhood I’m 43 I still love transformers to this day. I remember my oldest brother taking me to the theater to see the transformer movie. Thank you for the memories sir.

[@ThomasKubera]

There is a quote I always enjoy hearing and this from the voice actor of Optimus Prime Peter Cullen. His brother larry said to him. " Peter if you are going to be a hero be strong enough to be gentle".

[@Whitelilycookie-i3s]

I literally just have one wish, get a selfie with or an autograph of Peter Cullen, it might not be a lot to me, but it’d be a lot to my father.

[@ladysilverwynde]

If you get the chance, do it. He's an absolute sweetheart.

[@lordmegatrong1918]

i would do the same, or even take my dad withme to meet Peter Cullen and Frank Welker, and explain to my dad that Peter Cullen is still alive along with Frank Welker.

[@pugrosecarriephonenut]

now i want all ais to sound like peter cullen voicing optimus. "now add the butter to your salmon at low heat"😂🤣 or we could do some naughty bruce campbell lines "GIMME SOME SUGAR BABY"😂🤣

[@Wooden_Badger]

One of the coolest, most badass voices of all time. Guy is all class, all the way

[@primal9007]

My inner child is just fanboying so hard rn. Peter Cullen, in my opinion, will always be the voice of Optimus Prime ever. He's so iconic, and his voice alone just makes you want to listen to whatever he has to say.

[@patrickpelletier4145]

And this is why he will always be a Prime

[@cjandauntieyaya1446]

Michael Bay was a genius when he got the OG for Optimus Prime. Wouldn't have been the same without that gravelly yet wholesome voice.

[@Cheekiemoney]

Every time he does the voice ✨ magic ✨

[@YogsenForfoth]

One of the voices of my childhood, from the original animated series. His performance as Optimus Prime almost single-handedly made the franchise massively successful.

[@arnettthayer5314]

I got chills hearing it and putting a face to it.

[@say7951]

I'm always critical from the transformer movies, but his voice act never lets me down.

[@somedude732]

Rotb may not have been the greatest film... but to me it was the most passion ive seen put in a live action transformers movie before and i had a fucking blast. Love Peter Cullen's work, hoping to here more Optimus while hes still working