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

Peter Cullen, the iconic voice behind Optimus Prime from the 'Transformers' franchise and the beloved character Eeyore from 'Winnie the Pooh,' has died at the age of 85.

Cullen passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at his residence in Los Angeles, California. His agent, Kevin Motley, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter, with reports subsequently being replicated by various media outlets. His family was reportedly with him at the time of his passing.

Cullen's career spanned decades, beginning with his memorable portrayal of Optimus Prime in the original animated series in 1984. His commanding voice brought the leader of the Autobots to life across numerous films, television shows, and video games. Beyond the world of Transformers, he lent his distinctive voice to characters such as Eeyore in 'Winnie the Pooh' productions and King Kong in the 1976 film.

His contributions extended to creating sound effects for films like 'Predator' (1987) and voicing characters in series such as 'Voltron' and 'Chip 'n Dale.' More recently, he lent his voice to characters in 'Invincible.' The loss of such a versatile and beloved performer has sent ripples through the entertainment industry and among his global fanbase.

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His family asked that he be remembered with compassion, integrity, and loyalty.