Peter Cullen, the prolific voice actor best known for portraying Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise and Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, has died at age 85. His agent, Kevin Motley, confirmed that Cullen passed away on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. A family statement requested that fans honor his legacy by serving their communities with compassion and integrity.
Cullen’s extensive career included roles in The Smurfs, G.I. Joe, and the 1976 King Kong remake, as well as providing the creature sounds for the film Predator. He gained widespread recognition for his authoritative baritone as the Autobot leader Optimus Prime, a role he modeled after his brother, a U.S. Marine veteran. He continued to voice the character across decades of animated series and live-action films, including 2023's Rise of the Beasts.
Throughout his career, Cullen received a lifetime achievement award at the 2023 Children’s & Family Emmy Awards and a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2011. He is survived by his four children: Angus, Claire, Pilar, and Clay. He frequently engaged with fans at conventions, often noting the deep emotional connection audiences developed with his iconic characters.
