Peter Cullen is best known around the world as the iconic voice of Optimus Prime from Transformers. However, his career also included an unexpected connection to One Piece. More than two decades ago, Cullen narrated an English promotional trailer for the anime when it was being introduced to American audiences.
Cullen died on August 26, 2026, at the age of 85, leaving behind a career that stretched across animation, television, movies and video games. His death has renewed interest in the many projects that benefited from his unmistakable voice.
Peter Cullen Narrated an Early One Piece Promo
When One Piece was preparing for its American television debut, Cullen provided the narration for an English promotional trailer connected to the show’s Toonami launch.
The original One Piece anime began airing on Cartoon Network’s Toonami block in the United States on April 23, 2005.
This was not a regular acting role in the anime. Cullen did not voice Luffy or another member of the Straw Hat crew. Instead, his contribution came through promotional narration, using the powerful voice that audiences already associated with Optimus Prime.
His Voice Gave One Piece a Different Identity
Cullen’s involvement was particularly fitting because One Piece was being introduced to an audience that was still becoming familiar with Japanese anime.
His deep and authoritative delivery gave the promotional material a larger-than-life quality. For younger viewers discovering the series through Toonami, that presentation helped frame One Piece as an action-packed adventure rather than simply another animated program.
It is impossible to measure exactly how much Cullen’s narration contributed to the anime’s eventual success. Claims that his trailer directly made One Piece a global phenomenon would go beyond the available evidence. However, his involvement remains an interesting piece of the franchise’s early Western history.
One Piece Wasn’t Cullen’s Only Anime Connection
Cullen’s work with anime promotions extended beyond One Piece. He was also associated with promotional trailers for Dragon Ball and Rurouni Kenshin.
His connection to Japanese animation was particularly interesting given his reputation in Western animation. Cullen’s most famous role was Optimus Prime, a character that made him synonymous with the Transformers franchise.
He also voiced Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh productions and worked on numerous other animated projects.
Peter Cullen’s Legacy Goes Far Beyond Transformers
Cullen’s career lasted for decades and included much more than Optimus Prime. He also provided the vocal effects for the Predator in the 1987 film and appeared in projects including Knight Rider, G.I. Joe and The Smurfs.
His interpretation of Optimus Prime became particularly influential. Cullen explained that his performance was partly inspired by his brother, a Vietnam War veteran, helping him give the character a sense of strength and humanity.
He continued returning to Optimus Prime across animated projects and the live-action Transformers movies. His final years therefore remained closely connected to the character that defined his career.
| Started | October 22, 1997 |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Shueisha |
| Author | Eiichiro Oda |
