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Up Your Geek, 1500 Kearns Blvd. Suite B110, Park City, UT (2026)

08/27/2026

SAD NEWS:

In Memory of Peter Cullen (1941–2026)
Voice Actor. Legend. The Voice of Optimus Prime.

We are deeply saddened to share that Peter Cullen, the legendary voice actor whose unmistakable voice brought Optimus Prime to life for generations of Transformers fans, has passed away at the age of 85.

Cullen died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, according to his agent. His family shared that he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones and asked fans to honor his remarkable legacy by serving their communities and leading others with compassion, integrity and loyalty. No cause of death has been publicly announced.

Born in Montreal, Canada, Cullen built an extraordinary voice-acting career spanning more than five decades, but everything changed when he was cast as Optimus Prime in the original Transformers animated series in 1984.

Cullen based Optimus’ distinctive voice and demeanor on his older brother Larry, a Marine veteran who had served in Vietnam. His brother’s advice before Cullen’s audition helped shape the character’s philosophy: don’t portray a Hollywood superhero—portray a real hero. That inspiration ultimately helped Cullen create a version of Optimus defined not simply by strength, but by dignity, compassion and leadership.

His performance became inseparable from the character.

Cullen continued voicing the Autobot leader in 1986’s The Transformers: The Movie and, more than two decades later, returned when Optimus made the leap into live-action with Michael Bay’s Transformers in 2007. He continued portraying Prime throughout the film franchise, most recently voicing the character in 2023’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.

But Optimus Prime was only one part of an extraordinary career.

Cullen was also the longtime voice of Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, brought Monterey Jack to life in Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers, voiced the sinister K.A.R.R. in Knight Rider, and provided the unforgettable vocal effects of the creature in 1987’s Predator. His extensive animation credits stretched across some of the most recognizable programs of the 1980s and beyond.

Still, it is Optimus Prime that made Cullen something more than a prolific voice actor.

For more than 40 years, that voice represented courage, sacrifice, compassion and hope. Children who first heard Cullen as Optimus in the 1980s eventually introduced the character to their own children, allowing his performance to cross generations in a way few voice actors ever experience.

Peter Cullen didn’t simply provide the voice of Optimus Prime.

For millions of fans, Peter Cullen was Optimus Prime.

Up Your Geek extends our deepest condolences to Peter Cullen’s family, friends, colleagues and generations of Transformers fans around the world.

Rest in power, Peter. 🕊️

“Be strong enough to be gentle.”

08/26/2026

SAD NEWS:

In Memory of Tim Curry (1946–2026)
Actor. Singer. Voice Artist. Cult Icon.

We are deeply saddened to share that Tim Curry, the legendary British actor whose unmistakable voice, theatrical presence and wonderfully eccentric performances made him one of popular culture’s most beloved character actors, has passed away at the age of 80.

Curry died at his home in Los Angeles, according to his longtime manager and friend Marcia Hurwitz. No cause of death has been publicly disclosed. Curry had faced significant health challenges since suffering a major stroke in 2012 that affected his mobility, but he continued performing and connecting with fans in the years that followed.

Born in Cheshire, England, Curry began his professional career on the London stage in the original production of Hair before landing the role that would forever change his life: Dr. Frank-N-Furter in Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show.

Curry originated the role onstage in London in 1973 before bringing Frank-N-Furter to the screen in 1975’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Although the film initially struggled commercially, midnight screenings transformed it into a cultural phenomenon. Curry’s fearless, flamboyant performance became inseparable from the movie’s identity and helped Rocky Horror endure for more than half a century.

But Curry was far more than one iconic performance.

He became the brilliantly frantic butler Wadsworth in Clue, terrified a generation as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the 1990 adaptation of Stephen King’s It, transformed into the imposing Lord of Darkness in Ridley Scott’s Legend, and memorably tried to expose Kevin McCallister as suspicious Plaza Hotel concierge Mr. Hector in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

His other memorable performances included Annie, The Three Musketeers, Muppet Treasure Island, Congo and countless television appearances.

Curry’s unmistakable voice also made him a prolific voice actor. His credits stretched across animation and video games, including The Wild Thornberrys, FernGully: The Last Rainforest, Peter Pan and the Pirates, Star Wars: The Clone Wars and numerous other projects. His performance in Peter Pan and the Pirates earned him a Daytime Emmy Award.

And long before many audiences knew him from movies or television, Curry was an accomplished stage performer. His Broadway work earned him three Tony Award nominations, including recognition for Amadeus, My Favorite Year and his celebrated performance as King Arthur in Monty Python’s Spamalot.

Following his stroke, Curry largely stepped away from traditional live-action performances but continued voice work and public appearances. In 2024, he made a rare return to the big screen in the horror film Stream. The following year, he released his memoir, Vagabond, reflecting on an extraordinary life and career.

Few performers could move so effortlessly between Shakespearean theater, outrageous musical comedy, children’s animation and genuine horror. Curry could make audiences laugh, frighten them or completely command their attention simply by entering a scene.

For generations of fans, there isn’t just one Tim Curry. He’s Frank-N-Furter. He’s Wadsworth. He’s Pennywise. He’s Darkness. He’s Long John Silver. He’s that suspicious hotel concierge who absolutely knew Kevin McCallister was up to something.

Up Your Geek extends our deepest condolences to Tim Curry’s friends, colleagues and generations of fans around the world.

Rest in power, Tim. 🕊️

Don’t dream it. Be it.

08/25/2026

SAD NEWS:

In Memory of Dolly Parton (1946–2026)
Singer. Songwriter. Actress. Philanthropist. American Icon.

The world has lost one of its most beloved entertainers. Dolly Parton, the legendary singer-songwriter, actress and philanthropist whose career and influence extended far beyond country music, has died at the age of 80.

Parton died peacefully Tuesday in Nashville, according to her publicist. Her family also announced her death through her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who shared the news through her official social media accounts.

Born into a family of 12 children in rural Tennessee, Parton rose from humble beginnings to build an extraordinary career that lasted more than six decades. Her unmistakable voice, exceptional songwriting, quick wit and larger-than-life personality ultimately made her not simply a country music superstar, but one of the most recognizable figures in American culture.

Her catalog includes some of popular music’s most enduring songs, among them “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” Parton’s own recording of the latter became a hit years before Whitney Houston introduced the song to another generation with her celebrated version for The Bodyguard. Across her career, Parton sold more than 100 million records worldwide.

Parton also proved herself beyond the recording studio. She made her major film debut alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the 1980 comedy 9 to 5, while the movie’s title track became another of her signature songs. She later appeared in films including The Best Little Wh******se in Texas and Steel Magnolias, establishing a successful acting career alongside her accomplishments in music.

Her impact, however, cannot be measured only through albums, movies and awards.

Through the Dollywood Foundation and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Parton helped put free books into the hands of children around the world, an effort partly inspired by her father’s difficulties with literacy. She also provided assistance to communities recovering from natural disasters, contributed to medical research and repeatedly used her success to support people in need.

Her achievements brought her numerous honors, including Grammy Awards and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, along with recognition for her humanitarian efforts. Yet even after decades of fame, her humor and warmth remained as central to her public persona as her rhinestones, blonde hair and unmistakable Tennessee voice.

Parton’s death comes more than a year after the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025. The two were married for nearly 60 years.

There are few entertainers whose work becomes so deeply woven into multiple generations. Dolly Parton’s songs became standards, her performances became part of film and television history, and her philanthropy changed lives. Through it all, she maintained a remarkable ability to make millions of people feel connected to her.

Up Your Geek extends our deepest condolences to Dolly Parton’s family, friends, collaborators and generations of fans around the world.

Rest in power, Dolly. 🕊️
You will always be loved.

08/22/2026

SAD NEWS:

In Memory of Michael Wright (1956–2026)
Actor. Artist. An Unforgettable Presence.

We are saddened to share that Michael Wright, the acclaimed actor best known for his unforgettable performance as Eddie King Jr. in The Five Heartbeats, has passed away at the age of 70.

Wright died in Los Angeles after suffering heart failure along with complications from Marchiafava-Bignami disease, a rare degenerative neurological disorder, according to his family. His wife, Susan Wright, announced his passing in an emotional tribute, remembering him not only as an extraordinary artist, but as a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Born in New York City in 1956, Wright began building his career in the late 1970s, appearing in the 1979 film The Wanderers before delivering an acclaimed performance in Robert Altman’s Streamers. His work in the 1983 film earned him, alongside his fellow principal cast members, the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival.

For generations of fans, however, Wright will forever be Eddie King Jr. in Robert Townsend’s 1991 musical drama The Five Heartbeats. As the enormously talented but troubled lead singer of the fictional R&B group, Wright delivered a raw and emotionally charged performance that became the defining role of his career. More than three decades later, the film remains a beloved part of Black cinema and music culture.

Wright continued building an impressive body of work across film and television. He starred opposite Wesley Snipes in Sugar Hill and appeared in films including The Principal, Money Talks, Piñero and The Interpreter.

Television audiences also knew him as Elias Taylor in the V franchise and Omar White on HBO’s Oz. Later appearances included Miami Vice, New York Undercover, Scrubs and Black Lightning, among many others.

Across nearly five decades, Michael Wright built a career filled with characters that were intense, complicated, vulnerable and impossible to forget. But for so many fans, hearing the name Eddie King Jr. will always immediately bring Wright’s remarkable performance to mind.

Up Your Geek extends our deepest condolences to Michael Wright’s wife, family, friends, colleagues and fans around the world.

Rest in power, Michael. 🕊️

08/21/2026

⚔️ DAVE BAUTISTA IS KRATOS!

It’s official! Dave Bautista has been cast as Kratos in Prime Video’s live-action adaptation of God of War.

Bautista takes over the role from Ryan Hurst, who was forced to step away after suffering a torn bicep while filming a stunt. The Guardians of the Galaxy star had emerged as the frontrunner to replace Hurst, and the deal is now officially done.

The series, led by showrunner Ronald D. Moore, will adapt the Norse-era God of War story and follow Kratos and his son Atreus on their journey through the Nine Realms.

Looking at Bautista next to Kratos… yeah, we can definitely see it. 👀

What do you think of Dave Bautista as the Ghost of Sparta?

08/17/2026

Yeah… this is PEAK DOOM. 🔥

DOOM IS COMING. 💚

Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters December 18.

08/17/2026

SAD NEWS:

🖤 In Memory of Hayden Panettiere (1989–2026) 🖤
Actor. Singer. Hero. A Voice for a Generation.

We are heartbroken to share that Hayden Panettiere, the beloved actress known for Heroes, Nashville, the Scream franchise, and a career that began when she was still a child, has passed away at the age of 36.

Panettiere died on Sunday, August 16. Her father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her passing in a statement provided to ABC News, remembering his daughter as an incredible light who brought tremendous joy to those who knew her and to the millions who watched her work. At this time, no cause of death has been publicly disclosed.

For an entire generation, Hayden Panettiere became synonymous with Claire Bennet, the seemingly indestructible cheerleader at the heart of NBC’s Heroes. Beginning the role at just 17, she became one of the breakout stars of the series and helped turn the phrase “Save the cheerleader, save the world” into a defining piece of 2000s television culture.

But her career began long before Heroes. Panettiere started appearing in commercials as a baby before moving into television and film. Her early credits included One Life to Live, Guiding Light, Remember the Titans and A Bug’s Life, in which she voiced Dot.

She later found another career-defining role as Juliette Barnes on Nashville. Her portrayal of the complicated country music superstar showcased both her dramatic and musical abilities and earned Panettiere two Golden Globe nominations.

Genre fans also knew her as Kirby Reed in Scream 4, a character who became such a fan favorite that Panettiere returned more than a decade later for Scream VI. Gamers knew her as Samantha “Sam” Giddings in Until Dawn, while her other film work included Ice Princess, Bring It On: All or Nothing and I Love You, Beth Cooper.

Earlier this year, Panettiere released her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she spoke candidly about growing up in Hollywood and some of the deeply personal challenges she faced throughout her life. Her willingness to discuss addiction, postpartum depression and recovery became another important part of her public story.

Her death comes just three years after another devastating loss for the Panettiere family. Hayden’s younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023 at only 28 years old.

Hayden is survived by her daughter, Kaya, as well as her parents and loved ones.

At only 36, Hayden Panettiere leaves behind a remarkable body of work spanning nearly her entire life. From the little girl whose voice brought Dot to life, to the cheerleader who couldn’t be broken, the country star struggling to find herself, and the horror survivor who refused to stay down, she became part of the lives and fandoms of multiple generations.

Up Your Geek extends our deepest condolences to Hayden Panettiere’s daughter, family, friends, colleagues, and fans around the world.

Rest in power, Hayden. 🕊️
You will be deeply missed.

08/03/2026

Spider-Man is proving that the friendly neighborhood hero is still one of the biggest draws in cinema.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day has officially opened to an incredible $927 million worldwide, making it the second-largest global opening weekend of all time behind Avengers: Endgame.

Here in North America, the film brought in an estimated $355 million during its opening weekend—just a couple million shy of Endgame’s all-time domestic opening record of roughly $357 million. It also becomes the biggest opening in Sony Pictures history and another massive win for Marvel Studios.

With audience scores soaring, strong critical reception, and word-of-mouth spreading quickly, Brand New Day is already on pace to become one of the biggest films of 2026.

Did you see Spider-Man: Brand New Day this weekend? What did you think?

07/31/2026

Marvel Reverses Course: Wonder Man Season 2 Canceled

As first reported by Variety, in a surprising move, Marvel Television has canceled Wonder Man despite officiallyg renewing the series for a second season just four months ago.

The Disney+ series, starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams and Ben Kingsley returning as Trevor Slattery, premiered earlier this year to positive reviews and even earned Emmy recognition. Despite that momentum, reports say Season 2 never entered active development, no writers’ room was assembled, and the project has now been shelved.

Marvel has not provided an official reason for the decision, making this one of the more unexpected cancellations in recent MCU history.

What do you think? Did Marvel pull the plug too soon, or should the studio focus on fewer Disney+ projects?

07/31/2026

The beast has entered the arena. 🟢

Our latest look at Street Fighter gives us Jason Momoa’s first real action as Blanka, squaring off against Andrew Koji’s Ryu in an intense fight sequence.

Blanka has always been one of the franchise’s most unpredictable and ferocious fighters, and this clip definitely leans into that savage energy. It’ll be interesting to see how Momoa’s take on the iconic character is received when the full film hits theaters.

🔥 What do you think of Jason Momoa as Blanka? Is this the version you’ve been waiting for, or are you still on the fence?

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