Peter Cullen to be honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

Peter Cullen, the man best known for voicing Optimus Prime from the ‘Transformers’ will be awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences this December.

The 82-year-old will receive the award at the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards on December 17.

Cullen has played Optimus Prime in the animated ‘Transformers’ films and TV series and the live-action ‘Transformers’ films, video games, and even toys.

The legacy that Cullen has and his iconic role as Prime is why he was one of the first inductees into the Hasbro Hall of Fame, a group that includes mega-producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, former ‘Transformers’ director Michael Bay, and “Weird” Al Yankovic.

Optimus Prime isn’t the only Transformer Cullen voiced in the animated show.

He has also voiced Ironhide, Slugslinger, Streetwise, Wingspan, and Nightstick.

Cullen reprised the voice of Ironhide in the live-action films.

He’s expected to continue to voice the leader of the Autobots in future ‘Transformers’ films.

In an official statement, NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp celebrated the award selection and had a lot of praise for Cullen’s work:

“We are thrilled to recognize Peter Cullen, who has voiced so many iconic characters over a lifetime of true achievement. His remarkable career in many genres of television and film makes him an exemplary honoree.”

Cullen has voiced roles outside of the ‘Transformers’ franchise.

He has voiced characters in ‘Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’, ‘The Pirates of Dark Water’, and ‘Invincible’.

Another role that Cullen is well-known for is Eeyeore in the ‘Winnie the Pooh’ animated shows and films.

Cullen will receive the Award at the 2nd Annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards on Sunday, December 17.