Peter Cullen, voice of Transformers’ Optimus Prime and Disney’s Eeyore, dies age 85

Legendary voice actor Peter Cullen had died at age 85.

The Daytime Emmy nominee, most famous for voicing Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise and Eeyore in Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, died at his home in Los Angeles.

Cullen’s agent, Kevin Motley, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter on Friday.

The voice actor “passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family – and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide,” his family shared in a statement.

Cullen’s family has asked fans “that you 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.’”

Cullen is survived by his four children, Angus, Claire, Pilar and Clay. Details about their mum have been kept private.

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Hasbro, the official toy company behind Transformers, remembered Cullen as a “true hero”.

“We’re deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Cullen: the legendary voice behind Optimus Prime, and so many characters that shaped our childhoods,” the company shared in a joint statement with the official Transformers brand.

“His voice was unmistakable. For four decades it taught us what courage and kindness sound like, and it will keep doing that for every fan who hears it for the first time.

“For those of us who had the privilege of knowing him, Peter was a true hero: passionate about his craft, brimming with warmth and kindness, devoted to his family, and a friend to so many.

“Our thoughts are with Peter’s loved ones and the millions of Transformers fans grieving with us today. Rest easy, Peter. Till all are one.”

The Canadian-born voice actor was an innovator of his art.

During his early career in the ’60s and ’70s, Cullen was the beloved announcer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.

He was the voice of King Kong in 1976, before landing his most iconic role to date: the voice of Autobot hero Optimus Prime for the first time in The Transformers animated series from 1984 to 1987.

Following two animated Transformers movies in the 1980s, Cullen returned to the big screen after two decades away. This time, to reprise his role as Prime in the 2007 live-action blockbuster Transformers, starring Shia LaBeouf.

Cullen described reprising his role as “slipping into an old pair of very comfortable shoes”, he told IGN in 2007.

From 2009 to 2023, he would continue to voice Prime in the six live-action sequels and spin-off movies, on top of various Transformers video games and series.

His performance as Prime in the 2010 to 2013 Transformers Prime animated series earned Cullen a Daytime Emmy nomination.

Cullen was also the voice of gloomy donkey Eeyore in various Winnie the Pooh projects. A role he first landed in 1988.

He provided the vocal effects of the Predator in the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film of the same name. Cullen came up with the iconic clicking sound, known by millions of fans today.