Peter Cullen, the legendary voice actor best known as the iconic voice of Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise, has died at 85.
The voice behind the gloomy Eeyore in several Winnie-the-Pooh projects, died on Wednesday as his agent Kevin Motley confirmed the devastating news.
Cullen took his last breath at his home in Los Angeles, “surrounded by his loving family — and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide,” his family said in a statement.
“His family asks that you honor his remarkable legacy by serving your communities and leading others with compassion, integrity, and loyalty and always remember ‘be strong enough to be gentle,’” the family statement continued.
Cullen was a prolific voice actor with hundreds of credits, best known as the voice of Optimus Prime in numerous Transformers shows, films and games.
He originated the role in the 1980s animated series and returned for Michael Bay’s 2007 live-action film, later earning a Daytime Emmy nomination for Transformers: Prime.
Cullen drew inspiration from his brother Larry, a former U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam and was his personal hero.
“It was his tone of voice and delivery as a leader, his control that impressed me, and I applied my brother’s attitude to life to Optimus Prime,” Cullen told Reading Eagle in 2008.
He added, “It just rang a bell, and I was cast in that part. I guess people somehow picked up on that. There’s a calmness to Optimus Prime, and yet a gentility and strength and honor and dignity, that are synonymous with the Marines.”
Beyond Optimus Prime, Cullen was also the voice of Eeyore in various Winnie-the-Pooh projects, including Disney’s The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
He later called the role a “relief” and his favorite after Optimus.
Cullen’s other credits included The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, Predator, Knight Rider and the 1976 King Kong remake.
His later roles included Thaedus in Prime Video’s Invincible.
