Be strong enough to be gentle: An Ode to Peter Cullen
There were days when we paused our play for an evening with the transformers. And afterwards, we gathered and talked about the new episode and the new happenings with the Autobots and Decepticons.
It’s safe to say that the boys everywhere fell in love as soon as these cool machines that turned into even cooler robots rolled on our screens. The transformers captured our imagination in the best way—the one where we looked at our vehicles and asked, “What if they were secretly aliens from outer space? I heard the car growl the other day.” But the vehicle was just an old and ancient tome, not a thing that would transform other than into graveyard junk.
Memories of Transformers
Nostalgia alone does not count for the success or the longevity, the impact the franchise had on people. For there were many robots shows—Transformers wasn’t even the first one.
Alongside the cool factor, the fast cars, and deep lore, there was another thing that made the show what it was—another one: a voice that called to them and assembled the good guys many years before Captain America.
The voice behind Optimus Prime
Peter Cullen is perhaps one of the most recognizable voices in entertainment. You might not know the name; you have heard the voice. Born and raised in Montreal, he spent his summers at his aunt’s farm imitating the animals. He honed his voice while working as a radio host and even became a series regular on the Sonny and Cher comedy show.
The big break came with the Transformers. Recalling the audition, Cullen stated that after reading the breakdown of Optimus’ character, he knew that this was the opportunity.
There was just something grounded about Optimus Prime. Almost like a working man or a farmer. Someone who understood his responsibility and the consequences of the immense power and stature he wielded. The transformers were cool for their aesthetics alone, but Prime was cool in other ways. And when you heard the voice, you knew he had to be on the good side.
It all came because of advice from Cullen’s older brother, who served in the Vietnam War and whom Peter considered to be his hero. The advice was simple: be strong enough to be gentle.
Be strong enough to be gentle
I have watched and read many things and met all kinds of people since those days of summer. Every strong person I have met, the ones who have seen real hardship and made it through, were strong in the same manner. They weren’t perfect. But the way they moved through the world and how they treated others was always with a gentle smile and a kind word. It is not surprising that older movies explored humanistic themes of family and friendship, when a lot of the entertainers, actors, and writers were veterans or survivors. They say real violence and yet almost never glorified it. Cut to today, we have boys in baggy clothes and golden chains around their necks, celebrating murder and mayhem.
We as a species are inherently interested in the idea of strength, and we often mistake strength for positions of power. Somewhere along the way we have forgotten the true meaning of the word.
Anyone can be violent. It takes true courage to think of another. Try it. You’ll know what it takes to be strong.
