Renowned Canadian voice actor Peter Cullen, celebrated for his iconic roles as Optimus Prime in the Transformers series and Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, has passed away at the age of 85. Cullen died peacefully on Wednesday at his Los Angeles residence, with his family by his side, as stated in a family announcement.
Hailing from Montreal, Cullen embarked on his career in Canadian television and radio, eventually becoming one of the most prominent voice actors in the entertainment world. His journey to fame began in 1984 when he first lent his voice to Optimus Prime for the Transformers animated TV series. Cullen’s portrayal of the heroic Autobot leader continued through seven major Hollywood films from 2007 to 2023, as well as numerous spin-off projects.
Besides his work in Transformers, Cullen’s deep, resonant voice also brought life to Eeyore, the beloved yet gloomy donkey from the Winnie the Pooh series. His depiction of Eeyore spanned across The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and extended to several TV shows, movies, and video games, solidifying his connection to this cherished character.
Cullen’s versatility shone in other projects too. He voiced KARR, the sinister counterpart to KITT in the Knight Rider series, and produced the eerie clicking sounds of the creature in the 1987 action film Predator. Additionally, Cullen lent his voice to King Kong in the 1976 film remake, showcasing his range as a voice actor.
A significant influence on Cullen’s portrayal of Optimus Prime was his older brother Larry, a former US Marine Corps captain. Larry’s advice to embody Optimus Prime as a true hero—strong yet non-aggressive—helped define the character’s enduring personality. Cullen’s portrayal earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2011, and in 2023, he was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. Throughout his extensive career, Cullen’s voice became synonymous with legendary animated and sci-fi characters, securing his place in the annals of popular culture.