Optimus Prime, Eeyore voice actor Peter Cullen dies at 85
The Canadian actor’s career spanned animation, television and film.
Peter Cullen, the Canadian voice actor best known as Optimus Prime in Transformers and Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, has died at the age of 85.
Cullen died on Wednesday (26 August) at his home in Los Angeles, according to his agent. His family said he died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. No cause of death was disclosed, reports BBC.
Cullen first voiced the heroic Autobot leader Optimus Prime in the original Transformers animated series in 1984. He later reprised the role in the franchise's live-action films, beginning with the 2007 movie, as well as other Transformers productions.
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He also became widely known as Eeyore, the gloomy donkey in The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and related productions.
Among his other notable roles were KARR in Knight Rider, Monterey Jack in Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, and the vocal effects for the Predator in the 1987 film Predator. He also provided the voice of King Kong in the 1976 film.
Cullen began his career in Canadian radio and television before focusing on voice acting.
His portrayal of Optimus Prime was inspired by his older brother Larry, a US Marine and Vietnam War veteran. Larry advised him to play the character as a genuine hero rather than a stereotypical Hollywood action figure and to "be strong enough to be gentle".
Cullen was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2011 and received a lifetime achievement award at the Children's & Family Emmy Awards in 2023.
His family, in a statement following his death, urged fans to honour his legacy by serving their communities and leading others with compassion, integrity and loyalty.
