Veteran voice actor Peter Cullen, best known for bringing the iconic Optimus Prime from Transformers and the much-loved Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh to life, has died at the age of 85.
Cullen passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday, surrounded by his family, according to a statement released by his family.
“Peter Cullen passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family – and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide,” the statement said.
The family also asked fans to honour his legacy by serving their communities and leading others with compassion, integrity and loyalty, while remembering his personal motto: “Be strong enough to be gentle.”
Cullen first became the voice of Optimus Prime when the Transformers animated television series debuted in 1984. His deep, commanding portrayal of the heroic Autobot leader later returned for seven Hollywood films released between 2007 and 2023, as well as various spin-offs.
His other defining role was Eeyore, the gloomy but endearing donkey from the Winnie the Pooh franchise. Cullen voiced the character in The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh from the late 1980s and continued portraying him across numerous television productions, films and video games.
Beyond those two beloved characters, Cullen built an extensive voice-acting career. His credits included KARR, the sinister counterpart to KITT in Knight Rider, the distinctive clicking sounds of the Predator in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1987 film, and the roars of King Kong in the 1976 movie.
Cullen began his career in Canadian television and radio before appearing regularly on programmes including The Sonny & Cher Show. He later shifted his focus towards voice acting, becoming one of the industry’s most recognisable performers.
His portrayal of Optimus Prime was deeply influenced by his older brother, a decorated US Marine and Vietnam War veteran. Cullen said his brother advised him to portray the character as “a real hero, not a Hollywood hero” and to show strength without relying on shouting.
That advice shaped the famous Optimus Prime performance, particularly the character’s calm yet powerful delivery. Cullen continued sharing part of his Optimus Prime earnings with his brother until the latter’s death.
His contribution to animation was recognised with a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2011 for outstanding performer in an animated programme. In 2023, Cullen received a lifetime achievement award at the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards.
His long list of credits also included Monterey Jack in Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, along with roles in popular animated series such as Spider-Man, Donkey Kong, Alvin & the Chipmunks, Dungeons & Dragons, My Little Pony, DuckTales and Gummi Bears.
Cullen leaves behind a voice legacy spanning generations, with Optimus Prime and Eeyore remaining among the characters most closely associated with his remarkable career.
