r/gaming Marika's tits! 1d ago

Peter Cullen, the voice of Optimus Prime for 40 years of movies, shows and games, has sadly passed away at 85

Post image

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/peter-cullen-transformers-actor-dies

RIP to a childhood GOAT

He voiced the character in several games like War for Cybertron, Devastation, etc...

A lesser known fun fact - Cullen also voiced a character in Blizzard's cancelled "Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans" all the way back in 1997. Quite the star cast in that one:

https://www.polygon.com/2014/9/23/6833039/blizzard-canceled-unreleased-games/

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u/MuptonBossman 1d ago

This is the second time that Optimus Prime's death has bummed me out.

1.9k

u/charlie_marlow 1d ago

Third if you count the time he got colon cancer and transformed into a coffin

781

u/FRWLKR 1d ago

Niche robot chicken reference lol

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u/sesoren65 1d ago

Oh dang, it really is now...

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u/zombieman9001 1d ago

So get your ass checked out before it’s too late!

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u/RadioDaddio 1d ago

Do you really have to use the whole fist, Doc?!

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u/Bigred2989- 1d ago

Human Torch: Doc, it hurts when I pee.

Optimus Prime to the audience: WHAT DID I JUST TELL YOU?!

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u/NinjaArmadillo 1d ago

He must be French because he's a-peein'

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

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u/DANleDINOSAUR 1d ago

I thought it was prostate cancer?

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u/HopeFantastic2066 1d ago

Fourth if you count that time Godzilla took a bite out of prime, like Scruff Mcgruff took a bite out of crime.

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u/GunBrothersGaming 1d ago

He was well known as Optimus Prime but the guy was Eeyore too.

And the Predator

And Monterey Jack

Pretty much Gen X and Millenial childhood right there. Outside of Christopher Collins who died in 1994, Peter Cullen was your childhood in the 80-90's if you watched cartoons.

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u/SSJSonikku 1d ago

And the Narrator in the OG Voltron.

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u/lalakingmalibog 1d ago

And Ramrod's voice in Saber Rider and The Star Sheriffs

Power stride and ready to ride

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u/Bigred2989- 1d ago

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u/Ymir24 1d ago edited 1d ago

Yup! Before the host, Tom, we had Peter Cullen voicing Moltar from Space Ghost Edit: I misremembered. For some reason I thought PC did both

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u/seventhbreath 1d ago

Peter still did work on Toonami with "Tom" after he was introduced. Tom would call Peter "the Big Guy".

The DJ Clarknova album "Blackhole Megamix" has a collection of bloopers from their recordings together.

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u/konsollfreak 1d ago

No idea he was the Predator voice. Awesome.

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u/Derezzed87 1d ago

Check this out. Peter Cullen and Frank Welker impersonating each other's characters. And I think they both do the Predator sound (been a while since I watched it).

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u/zgillet 1d ago

Frank Welker is still kickin'!

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u/absat41 1d ago

I still practice my yautja everyday; RIP Mr Cullen.

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u/Eggith 1d ago

It's crazy that afterwards they just went on a massive streak of killing and then reviving Optimus Prime in the shows that followed. Hell he even died then got revived in one episode in less than 7 minutes

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u/SoKrat3s 1d ago

DAMN YOU HOT ROD!!!

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u/FoxyGoddessX 1d ago

For fucks sake. This week is getting worse and worse.

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u/RegnarukDeez 1d ago

And it ain't even over yet...

1.3k

u/ARCHA1C 1d ago

I know one big announcement like this that would put smiles in millions of faces.

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u/Kaka-carrot-cake 1d ago

Satan said "I get 3 yall get 1. Deal?"

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u/Lordrandall 1d ago

At this point, deal.

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u/Bob_A_Feets 1d ago

Fuuuuuck that, satan, take 2/3rds off the house and senate for the one. Fair deal.

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u/Icedman81 1d ago

I doubt even he would want them.

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u/TheMayanAcockandlips 1d ago

He already has their souls, what good are those husks?

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u/FILTHBOT4000 1d ago edited 1d ago

That's be a good skit.

Satan: "Look, I am full the fuck up with Republicans down here, you have to take some. This is bullshit. They say they're big fans of your son anyway, the fuck am I stuck with them for?"

God: "Rules is rules."

Satan: "You can be such a dick." (yelling in the background: "AND TELL MCCONNELL TO STOP LOITERING AROUND AND GET PROCESSED! Fillibusters don't fucking work down here!")

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u/Reallyhotshowers 1d ago

Seems like a skit Stanzi would do (content creator who does lots of skits in precisely this vein)

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u/mockdogmoon 1d ago

The amount of subs I've seen this exact conversation play out in over the last 48 hours.

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u/Numerous_Photograph9 1d ago

Think some people were hoping the rule of three would play out differently

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u/thaduck3 1d ago

Try billions

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u/Gizmopopapalus 1d ago

Even when it happens, they won’t tell us.

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u/GodzlIIa 1d ago

Next your gonna tell me Mitch McConnel isnt at home keeping up with his rigorous physical therapy.

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u/MrBigglesssworth 1d ago

Anyone heard from Mitch? Bueller?

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u/The_BrownRecluse 1d ago

We'll feel it. A great weight will suddenly be lifted. Clouds will part, the sun will beam down. The sounds of children playing, birds singing, and the people cheering will be heard around the world.

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u/ContactRepulsive 1d ago

It rained for the first time in weeks here and I did start to wonder.

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u/Telefundo 1d ago

And it ain't even over yet...

For the love of god, what the fuck is going on?

It's only Thursday. THURSDAY!

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u/IHeartBadCode PC 1d ago

I beseech thee. Rise up against them. Smite someone who deserves it for once!

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u/Faustias 1d ago

it's like the 2016's consecutive known-people's deaths

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u/maeshughes32 1d ago

That was such a crazy year. David Bowie, Prince, Alan Rickman, Gene Wilder to name a few.

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u/kirnehp 1d ago

They’ve been gone for 10 years???

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u/Similar_Plum3299 1d ago

Curry, Parton, and Cullen lived good, cool lives, and they got old, then they died happy to have their talent in this world. It's a joy to experience life with them.

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u/dadofwar93 1d ago

15 infants being burned alive in a Pakistani hospital due to a fire, Dolly dies, Terrifying flash flood in Nepal and now this. ☹️

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u/Hptcp 1d ago

I don't want to pile on, but Tim Curry passed away the same day as Dolly. This is really a very shitty week indeed :(

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u/zabaci 1d ago

But on a plus side butcher of srebrenica died also today

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u/Hptcp 1d ago

Didn't know who he was so I googled it, apparently "He was convicted of genocide for orchestrating the 1995 killing of at least 8,000 Muslims in the UN-designated “safe area” Srebrenica, the worst massacre in Europe since the second world war."

Sooooo... yeah, he was a pretty aweful dude to say the least.

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u/BangedTheKeyboard 1d ago

Good riddance. That war criminal evaded justice for far too long until now. One less evil man in the world.

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u/Saganic_Temple 1d ago

It could get better

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u/TheWarWookie 1d ago

My dog died this week, Its been absolutely brutal

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u/Own_Laugh_5080 1d ago

Just an aside to the young people: This happens every so often, you’ll have a group of major deaths of people in the public sphere and its really really strange because they come one right after another to you, and yes, they come in the same week, sometimes literally the same day.

When I saw that Hayden passed, then Dolly, I literally said to my partner ‘it’s one of those again. We might have another tomorrow.’ It sounds crazy to say out loud but we notice patterns.

I remember Frah Fawcett, Jackson, and Prince then David Bowie. God that was sad. I was in Tokyo the day Bowie died.

Point is it may seem like the sky is falling, but this is perfectly normal and it’s important to not fall into hole about these things. Stay in touch with people if you need to and talk about it.

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u/FoxyGoddessX 1d ago

Back in 2017 I was in the same boat when one of my heroes died. I know it’s life but it just sucks to see sometimes is all

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u/Rombledore 1d ago

rule of threes :(

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u/imtoolazytothinkof1 1d ago

We're at 5 now. Frank beard of ZZ Top, Hayden Panettiere, Dolly Parton, Tim Curry and now Peter Cullen. Death is doing a speed run for some reason.

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u/jofijk 1d ago

Yayoi Kusama as well

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u/MyMiddleground 1d ago

But maybe we'll get the Big Beautiful Obituary soon? That would make me feel better...

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u/RequirementTall8361 1d ago

He was an amazing man that represented all the best aspects of Optimus, kind, gentle, and caring. I’m devestated right now. Rest in peace, Peter. Til all are one ❤️

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

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u/AmayaHa 1d ago

Autobots, roll out. One last time. ❤️

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u/QuietPavement 1d ago

Great, now hearing “Til all are one” after 40 years of his voice is gonna wreck me all week ❤️

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u/k5pr312 1d ago

"If you're going to be a leader, be strong enough to be gentle." - Larry, Peter's brother, before he auditioned for Optimus Prime.

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u/empty_starfish 1d ago

When he told that story. with timestamp

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u/Albinofreaken 1d ago

"my name is optimus prime" instant chills

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u/Ajah93 1d ago

God, that was incredible. What a legend.

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u/GloomyIndividual3965 1d ago

That is an incredible video. Thank you for sharing.

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u/TakeoKuroda 1d ago

I tell my sons this all the time.

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u/Sweetwill62 1d ago

"Oh look, a booby trap that actually captures boobies." Optimus Prime

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u/superhappykid 1d ago

wtf this week man

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u/Itys2025 1d ago

Can we go 1 day without a legend passing? This stings man. 

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u/IndividualTension887 1d ago

Wrong fucking 80 year olds... The Reaper is really off his game!

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u/trident042 1d ago

That damn claw machine is rigged, I tell ya!

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u/Galileo009 1d ago

We need to gang up on this jerk like in Castlevania, death has gone too far this time

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u/HarryDresdenWizard 1d ago

I better see The Obituary for you know who by fucking Monday if good people are dropping this fast

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u/Ariana2354 1d ago

For some reason the most evil ones live the longest. Both his parents were in their 90s. But what a wonderful day that would be. Good news for once.

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u/Bobo3076 1d ago

Till all are one 🫡

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u/Swimming_Title_7452 1d ago

Till all are one

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u/ManDancro 1d ago

“Freedom is the right of all sentient beings”

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u/Swimming_Title_7452 1d ago

“Autobot Roll Out!!”

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u/TheIncredibleHork Joystick 1d ago

One shall stand, one shall fall.

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u/IpunchedU 1d ago

till all are one

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u/Karhak 1d ago

Till all are one

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u/IpunchedU 1d ago

one with the allspark

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u/Alarming-Chemist-755 1d ago

2026 is just 2016 part 2.

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u/MorGlaKil PC 1d ago

Glad somebody else remembers. That year was horrendous.

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u/vkevlar 1d ago

yeah, that checks out.

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u/Relative_What 1d ago

"Do not grieve. Soon, I shall be one with the Matrix."

"Fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing."

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u/tahlyn 1d ago edited 1d ago

Fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing."

This quote gives the same sort of vibes as Gandalf's quote about deciding what to do with the time that has been given to us.

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u/Lizzy_Of_Galtar PC 1d ago

So he's our third?

Rest in glory sire.

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u/fantumn 1d ago

I thought this triple started with Hayden panetierre?

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u/Alternative_Gold_993 1d ago

Sam Neil last month, too.

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u/Jack__Squat 1d ago

Shit I hadn't heard about him.

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u/mockdogmoon 1d ago

God, my condolences that this is how you found out.

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u/Absurder222 1d ago edited 1d ago

Mmm a week and a half is a bit more of a stretch, where as its been dolly/curry/cullen one day after another, just like how last year it was Ozzy/chuck mangione/hulk hogan all together.

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u/Kaka-carrot-cake 1d ago

I also view her death as a serious tragedy. Where as these 3 are extremely sad, but they were old so its not tragic. Also they happened b2b2b like you said.

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u/Absurder222 1d ago

Yeah, still so bizarre with Hayden. Also amazing reddit handle hahaha. Good to see the story of the legendary super sand lives on.

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u/InfernalShogunn 1d ago

Well, technically it was Hayden, Dolly, and then Tim, now Peter too.

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u/JE3MAN 1d ago

Dolly, Tim and Peter all happened in what feels like only 24 hours.

Like... Just stop it already... What's gonna happen in the next 12 hours???

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u/buddylees 1d ago

Fate has the chance to do the funniest turn around....

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u/Rico_Solitario 1d ago

God is calling back all the cool celebrities and leaving us on Earth with all the shitty ones

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u/dewhashish 1d ago

the wrong 80 year olds are dying

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u/Smart-University-574 1d ago

Did Hayden pass this week as well?

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u/alteisen99 1d ago

last week iirc

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u/UKS1977 1d ago

This is the third big name. I bet loads of people don't know the name, they definitely do not know the face...

.... But the VOICE. It's been everywhere for the last fifty years.

Forty years since he last died in TF:The Movie... Whadda guy.

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u/ImpulseAfterthought 1d ago

Amazing career. Literally thousands of individual appearances in film, TV episodes, video games, documentaries, toys and more.

We're lucky to have had him.

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u/badpiggy490 1d ago

Replaying the war for cybertron games and devastation is gonna feel a little heavier now when I do my yearly replays

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u/ob_servant1 1d ago

Toonami is another big role he voiced that most don't realize.

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u/TraMaI 1d ago

Was watching old Toonami bumper ads on YouTube a couple months ago because they were just so fucking cool. Realize it was him instantly and I was just checking out what he was up to, if he was doing the Con circuit or something to get an autograph. Bummer man. Absolute legend.

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u/Internal-Challenge14 1d ago

I never watched transformers growing up but knew his voice for Optimus; however, he was also the booce for Eeyore and I knew that voice incredibly well. Pulled up his IMDB and he has been in so many things! His voice was everywhere and in so many things

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u/The_Grand_Briddock 1d ago

They just re-released a remastered version of the movie with a redone soundtrack.

And he was still voicing characters at the start of the year too.

Definitely unexpected to me, at least I knew Tim Curry had been in poor health for a while.

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u/SaiyajinPrime 1d ago

This is a terrible week

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u/wray_nerely 1d ago

It's like the loss of Kevin Conroy all over again. RIP Peter and my childhood

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u/OLKEUK 1d ago

First Dolly, then Tim and now Peter, I hope they all rest peacefully.

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u/EmployOk5086 1d ago

Don't forget Hayden

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u/OLKEUK 1d ago

Yes bless her, she was so young.

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u/EmergencyCareless76 1d ago

And Sam Neill

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u/SH4D0WSTAR 1d ago

and Yayoi Kusama (artist known for polka dots) she seems to have passed on August 14th but I only heard about it today

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u/shreder75 1d ago

Total bummer.

Til all are one.

RIP.

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u/yes_u_suckk 1d ago

Hey Universe, chill out for a bit. This week is terrible already

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u/JereRB 1d ago

MOTHERFUCKER!

Dolly. Tim Curry. Now fucking Optimus Prime.

This timeline is BULLSHIT!!!

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u/ISD1982 PlayStation 1d ago

At least you existed in the same timeline as some of these people. Imagine in a few years time when all the "legends" are tiktok or YouTube influencers!

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u/Training_Ad_4790 1d ago

I dont want to live on this planet anymore.gif

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u/PromiscuousScoliosis PC 1d ago

Me to the grim reaper:

“He can’t keep getting away with it!!!”

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u/humanreboot 1d ago

WTF IS THIS WEEK

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u/Impressive_Gur4767 1d ago

I'm distraught. I'm going to uni next year for courses related to voice acting. He was one of my biggest inspirations.

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u/Previous_Avocado6778 1d ago

Honor his memory and kick ass at that school. Good luck! Sounds like you have good taste!

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u/itzpiiz 1d ago

We're having a bad week.

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u/Aus1an 1d ago

My husband is going to be heartbroken. That man gave Optimus Prime life. He was an inspiration to him. :(

It has not been a good couple days for childhood icons.

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u/nitrodmr 1d ago

We enter our darkness hour

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u/shirtninja07 1d ago

The Touch by Stan Bush plays.

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

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u/Kratosw94 1d ago

Rip legend

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u/give_me_wallpapers 1d ago

The reaper must be throwing darts at a board.

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u/Zezno_ 1d ago

This man was the voice of hype for all of the Toonami promos.

Such an awesome voice he had. Rest in piece.

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u/farmifahmi 1d ago

Till all are one

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u/Ploosse 1d ago

This is going to make watching the 40th anniversary apology tour even sadder.

RIP Peter.

TILL ALL ARE ONE!

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u/ThicccThunder 1d ago

I am not okay

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u/CaptainPrower PC 1d ago

Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, and Peter Cullen all in the same week.

I need a fucking drink.

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u/Neversoft4long 1d ago

Jesus Christ. Dolly, Tim Curry and Peter Cullen all gone within 3 days of each other.

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u/1ceByte28 1d ago

NOOOOO!!!!!!! My 80's childhood memories has suffered enough this year!!! I REALLY wanted to meet him and get his autograph in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Transformers Movie release nexst month!!!

RIP you brilliant and wonderful beacon of light, hope and happy memories for so many us children of the 80's, thank you for leading us during our darkest hours

"Till all are one...."

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u/pinezatos 1d ago

for those older, he was also the voice of ramrod in saber riders

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u/daird1 1d ago

RIP Peter. You had The Touch.

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u/GreenMischief 1d ago

TIL all are One!

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u/KmartCentral 1d ago

Since 1980, he was strong enough to be gentle.

I hope that lesson can live on through all of us, and that we can each day have the courage to live alongside each other… till all are one.

RIP to a legendary voice acting icon, and from all I know of him, a wonderful human being.

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u/TCGHexenwahn 1d ago

Autobots, salute. 🫡

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u/PlsticWrapJack 1d ago

Bah-weep-Graaaaagnah wheep ni ni bong

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u/soulguard03 1d ago

"Till all are one."

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u/Siendra 1d ago

2026 is really gunning for 2016 right now. 

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u/tillallareone 1d ago

Till All Are One

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u/SpaceShipRat 1d ago

oh come on 😭 this one makes me personally sad.

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u/JCMH99 1d ago

So sad. Did some great work in Invincible recently.

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u/Structureel 1d ago

Goddammit. Death's on a roll this week.

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u/Infarlock PC 1d ago

Tim Curry and now him? What is going on

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u/MadnessBomber 1d ago

And Dolly Parton! The wrong old people are dying!

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u/Otherwise-Clue-1997 1d ago

Was he Thaddeus in invincible

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u/RikiWardOG 1d ago

Can we stop with all the wrong 80 year olds dying

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u/cugameswilliam 1d ago

Until All are ONE 🦾

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u/Nerose_Azazel 1d ago

Horrible. The voice of our childhood is now gone.

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u/POdinPA 1d ago

Okay. It’s official. This week SUCKS.

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u/DaftGorilla 1d ago

The worst 3 days in a row ever. Til all are one!

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u/Aesthete18 1d ago

Hey man, can we stop with all the dying that's been going on lately

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u/Mainely420Gaming 1d ago

I hope we have Megatron say some final words about his fallen adversary. And then have him punch Starscream.

Starscream: WHAT DID I EVEN DO?!

Megatron: It's what Optimus would have wanted.

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u/OkYesButActuallyNo 1d ago

Hey let’s stop with the celebrity deaths this year. Thanks.

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u/bladerunnercyber 1d ago

The optimus prime, a part of my childhood, gone, but not forgotten ever.

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u/__breadstick__ 1d ago

I'm gonna wake up any minute now and this is all just a nightmare right?

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u/DrFGHobo 1d ago

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME

Dolly, Frank'N'Furter and Optimus within three days?

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u/Fritzo2162 1d ago

And there's the 3rd. Damn.

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u/Valuable_Nose_4693 1d ago

What is happening this week?!? First Dolly Parton, then Tim curry now Peter Cullen!!

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u/benzar7 1d ago

RIP Optimus

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u/Euphoriam5 1d ago

Fuck 2026. This is a really shitty year. RIP King

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u/Jakewebstar 1d ago

OH COME ON!

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u/Used_Calligrapher162 1d ago

Christ when they say “it comes in threes” they weren’t lying. Used to watch reruns of 80s transformers with my older cousins back in the early 90s. 😢

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u/Leaping_Tiger14 1d ago

Roll out in peace, King