Renowned voice actor Peter Cullen, known for his iconic portrayals of Eeyore in “Winnie the Pooh” and Optimus Prime in the “Transformers” series, has passed away at the age of 85. His agent, Kevin Motley, confirmed the sad news, stating that Cullen died at his residence in Los Angeles.
Originally from Montreal, Cullen began his career in radio at CKGM before transitioning to television as the announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” on CBS from 1967 to 1969. His vocal talents were also featured in the 1976 remake of “King Kong” and as the menacing creature sounds in the film “Predator” in 1987.
Fans of the 1988-91 series “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” will recognize Cullen as the voice of Eeyore, a role he reprised in the 2002 film “Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year” and various other projects. However, his most notable character was the heroic Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots in the “Transformers” franchise, a role he embodied since the early ’80s.
Cullen’s portrayal of Optimus Prime resonated so deeply with audiences that his character’s demise in “The Transformers: The Movie” in 1986 sparked a significant backlash, leading to the character’s revival in “The Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime” in 1987. Despite a hiatus from the role, Cullen was brought back by director Michael Bay for the 2007 film “Transformers” alongside stars like Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox.
During the Calgary Comic Expo in 2015, Cullen shared the inspiration behind Optimus Prime’s voice, citing his brother Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine, who believed true heroism lies in being “strong enough to be gentle.” Upon Cullen’s passing, his family emphasized this sentiment, urging fans to honor his legacy by embodying compassion, integrity, and loyalty.
Peter Cullen’s incredible contributions to the world of voice acting will be cherished by his legions of admirers worldwide, and his resonating voice will forever hold a special place in the hearts of many.