Peter Cullen, iconic voice of Optimus Prime and Eeyore, dies at 85

Peter Cullen, the legendary voice actor whose distinctive voice defined Optimus Prime and Eeyore, has died at 85. His agent confirmed his passing on Thursday, with his family stating he died peacefully at his Los Angeles home.

Cullen's career, which boasted over 200 credits, extended beyond his most famous roles. He lent his voice to the giant ape in the 1976 remake of King Kong, the villainous KARR in Knight Rider, and the alien hunter in the original Predator film. However, he is most celebrated for his work in animation, particularly his portrayal of Optimus Prime.

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passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide.

He originated the role of the Autobot leader in the 1980s animated series and reprised it in all subsequent live-action Transformers films, starting with Michael Bay's 2007 blockbuster. Cullen also brought the melancholic donkey Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh to life, a role he played across multiple productions.

His contributions were recognized with a Daytime Emmy nomination for Transformers: Prime and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Children's and Family Emmy Awards. Born in Montreal, Cullen graduated from the National Theatre School of Canada and had a notable stage career before becoming a beloved voice actor.

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Honour his remarkable legacy by serving your communities and leading others with compassion, integrity, and loyalty and always remember ‘be strong enough to be gentle.