Voice actor Peter Cullen, known for Optimus Prime, dies at 85

Peter Cullen, a Canadian voice actor celebrated for his roles as Optimus Prime in the Transformers series and as Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh projects, died on Wednesday at his Los Angeles home, his agent said.

Cullen’s family released a statement saying he "passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family — and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide," and asked that his legacy be honored through community service and compassion.

Cullen, born in Montreal in 1941, began his career as a live-action performer and announcer on shows such as The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. He first voiced Optimus Prime for the 1984-87 animated series The Transformers, a role he reprised in the 1986 film The Transformers: The Movie and the 1987 sequel The Return of Optimus Prime after fan outcry.

When Michael Bay revived the franchise for the 2007 live-action film, Cullen returned to voice the character, a decision he described to IGN as "slipping into an old pair of very comfortable shoes." The film and its sequels grossed billions worldwide, with Cullen continuing to voice Optimus Prime through Rise of the Beasts in 2023.

In addition to Transformers, Cullen provided the voice of Eeyore on The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and related specials, noting that he often receives reactions from children when he uses the donkey’s distinctive tone. His other voice work included King Kong in the 1976 remake, the Predator’s creature sounds, and various characters in animated series such as Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers and Voltron.

Cullen earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for his performance in the 2010-13 series Transformers: Prime and was involved with NASA’s Optimus Prime Spinoff Award, which encourages youth in STEM fields. He is survived by his children Angus, Claire, Pilar and Clay.