Peter Cullen, the Canadian voice actor best known for bringing to life Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise and Eeyore in Disney's Winnie the Pooh series, died Wednesday at age 85 in Los Angeles [1, 2, 3]. He passed peacefully at home surrounded by family, according to a family statement [1, 4]. No cause of death has been publicly announced [5, 6].
Cullen first voiced Optimus Prime in the original 1984 Transformers animated television series, a role he reprised in seven blockbuster Transformers films between 2007 and 2023, as well as various spin-offs, TV shows, and video games [1, 2, 3]. He told one interviewer: "I auditioned like everybody else. I was told it was a hero, and I was told it was a truck." He described his voice inspiration: "He said, 'Don't go yelling and screaming. He's strong enough to be gentle.' And that resonated with me... When he drops down, when he gets serious, is where I found Optimus Prime" [2, 3].
Cullen also voiced Eeyore from the late 1980s onward, beginning with The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and many related films and games [1, 2, 3]. In addition, he lent his voice to other characters like KARR in Knight Rider, the roars of King Kong in the 1976 remake, and the distinctive clicking sounds of the Predator creature in the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film Predator [1, 2, 3].
He began his career on Canadian TV and radio before focusing on voice acting, with early roles on The Sonny & Cher Show and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour [1, 2]. Cullen credited his older brother Larry, a US Marine and Vietnam War veteran, as the inspiration for his portrayal of Optimus Prime as "a real hero" who is "strong enough to be gentle." Cullen reportedly gave Larry a share of his earnings until Larry's death in 2011 [1, 2, 3].
The actor received a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2011 and a lifetime achievement award at the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards in 2023 for his voice acting work [1, 2]. Cullen’s family asked fans to honor his legacy "by serving your communities and leading others with compassion, integrity, and loyalty," closing with the phrase that defined his most famous role: "always remember be strong enough to be gentle" [1].
His death marks the end of a remarkable five-decade career since his early work in 1976 and iconic roles spanning animation, film, and video games. Cullen’s distinctive voice shaped generations of fans worldwide. Funeral and memorial arrangements have not been announced.
