Memorandum of Peter Cullen

It's always a shame whenever beloved celebrities die. Genuinely good people that touched thousands, if not millions of lives through their work and were equally amicable as reported by those who knew them personally. Fame often adds the effect of inflated self-importance, slipping into negative mental and physical habits, and eccentricities that others might describe as crude at best and horrifying at worst. Thankfully for us, the voice of Optimus Prime since the famous 1980s cartoon 'Transformers', Peter Cullen, was a stand-up man through and through.

While villains are usually my preferred characters in virtually every medium of entertainment I interact with, I make significant exceptions for heroic characters I find endearing, deserving, and worthy of their titles as defenders of justice and upholders of the peace. Optimus Prime is certainly one of those characters. Throughout the countless incarnations of Transformers featuring our favorite red firetruck, he's been a paragon of humility, love, compassion, kindness, and free-spirited individualism against a myriad of threats, mainly the diabolical Megatron and his legions of Decepticons that seek to crush and subjugate all life under their mechanical bootheels. It was both Optimus's consistency and his willingness as a character to see the best in others that really engendered me towards him. And yet, even these qualities pale in comparison to his greatest asset - being voiced by the amazingly talented Peter Cullen. It was Peter's cadence, his grace, and his gentleness that elevated Optimus Prime from merely the protagonist of a campy children's cartoon into the most iconic figure a Saturday Morning generation could ask for. To take matters further, Optimus was arguably a father that many individuals lacked in their own homes for whatever circumstance, and it was Peter who gave this warrior-mech that ability.

I'm aware he boasted a litany of other vocal credits, such as Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh to Ironhide from the same Transformers universe, but undoubtedly, Optimus embodies his legacy. For me, Peter IS Optimus. While I wish now for others to take up the role, I know it'll never truly be the same. Much of my imagination today is owed to childhood viewings of Michael Bay's Transformers films, of the Transformers Prime cartoon, and lone episodic snippets of the original Generation One showing, all of which Peter played central roles within.

And yet, I believe the greatest legacy he leaves behind isn't specifically his vocal work, but how he utilized his trademark role to promote genuine good causes in real-world society. Charitable donations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, numerous veterans' organizations, and appearances and support to the Voices Against Cancer movement to name a few, not to mention the joyous interactions with fans throughout his appearances at conventions, events, and promotional junctions for the Transformers brand. In fact, much of this outreach work was directly inspired by his older brother Larry Cullen, an active-duty Marine with a wealth of his own impressive accolades. Before first heading off to Hasbro for the audition, Larry provided the advice that would fundamentally define Optimus Prime's character: "Don't be a Hollywood hero. Be a real hero. Real heroes don't yell and act tough; they are strong enough to be gentle."

That, beyond everything else, defines Peter Cullen's personality and his tenure as Optimus Prime. A warrior capable of crushing entire civilizations, bestowed with awesome, godlike power via the Matrix of Leadership, and the undying loyalty of his Autobot followers - yet never once did he willingly fall to corruption or evil. Optimus, and the man who portrayed him faithfully for several decades, was the shining light in an ocean of darkness. An example to us all. As we carry on, we can only hope to have a tenth of Peter's legacy, influence, and generosity for others.

Till All Are One. Enjoy your rest, Peter Cullen. You're with Larry now.