Peter Cullen, the legendary voice actor behind Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise and Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, has died at the age of 85.
Cullen died on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, according to his agent, Kevin Motley. His cause of death has not been revealed.
The Canadian-born actor first brought Optimus Prime to life in the original Transformers animated television series in 1984. His deep and commanding voice quickly became one of the most recognisable sounds in animation, defining the character for generations of fans.
He continued voicing the Autobot leader across numerous animated productions and video games before reprising the role for the live-action Transformers film franchise in 2007.
Cullen most recently voiced Optimus Prime in 2023’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
But while Optimus Prime became his signature role, Cullen’s career extended far beyond the Transformers universe.
He was also widely loved for voicing Eeyore, the gloomy but endearing donkey from Winnie the Pooh. Cullen began playing the character in the late 1980s and continued to lend his voice to Eeyore across television shows, films and video games.
His impressive list of credits also included KARR, the evil counterpart to KITT in Knight Rider, and the distinctive vocal sounds of the Predator in the 1987 sci-fi action film Predator.
Cullen also provided the roars for King Kong in the 1976 remake of the classic monster movie.
The Inspiration Behind Optimus Prime
Cullen’s legendary portrayal of Optimus Prime was influenced by his older brother, Larry Cullen, a US Marine and Vietnam War veteran.
Before auditioning for the role, Larry reportedly advised him to portray Optimus Prime as “a real hero” rather than a stereotypical Hollywood hero.
Cullen later recalled his brother telling him: “Don’t go yelling and screaming. He’s strong enough to be gentle.”
The advice would become a defining element of Cullen’s performance, helping shape Optimus Prime into a character known not only for strength but also for compassion and restraint.
Cullen reportedly continued sharing part of his earnings from the role with his brother until Larry died.
A Legendary Voice-Acting Career
Born in Montreal, Quebec, in 1941, Cullen began his career in Canadian radio and television before establishing himself as one of the most respected voice actors in the entertainment industry.
Over the course of his decades-long career, he worked on numerous animated productions, including Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, Spider-Man, Donkey Kong, Alvin & the Chipmunks, Dungeons & Dragons, My Little Pony, DuckTales and Gummi Bears.
His contribution to animation earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2011 for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Programme.
In 2023, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Children’s and Family Emmy Awards, recognising his enormous contribution to the industry.
Following his death, Cullen’s family said he passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
The family urged fans to honour his legacy by serving their communities and leading with compassion, integrity and loyalty.
Their message ended with words that perfectly captured the philosophy behind Cullen’s most iconic character:
“Be strong enough to be gentle.”
