Peter Cullen, The Voice Behind Optimus Prime, Dies At 85
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Peter Cullen, the voice actor best known for playing Optimus Prime in the "Transformers" franchise and Eeyore in "Winnie the Pooh," died on August 26, 2026. He was 85 years old. In a statement, Cullen's family said he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.
Peter Claver Cullen was born in Montreal, Canada, in 1941. He graduated from the National Theatre School of Canada in 1963 and began his career as an announcer on "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour." From 1971 to 1974, he was a regular on "The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour." Over the next several decades, Cullen built a prolific career that included more than 200 acting credits.
Cullen gradually moved into voice work, lending his voice to commercials, movie trailers, and animated television shows. In 1984, he was asked to audition for a new animated series called "The Transformers." Cullen knew it was for a hero robot who could transform into a truck. He told his older brother Larry, a Marine veteran, about the role.
Larry advised Cullen not to make the character sound like a typical Hollywood hero who yells and acts tough. Instead, he told Cullen to "be strong enough to be gentle." Cullen followed his brother’s advice, and the voice of Optimus Prime was born.
Cullen went on to voice Optimus Prime for decades, appearing in animated series, movies, and video games. His most recent performance as the character was in "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" in 2023.
Cullen also voiced Eeyore, the gloomy, but lovable donkey from "Winnie the Pooh." He first played the character in the animated TV series "The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" in 1988. He continued to voice Eeyore in several other "Winnie the Pooh" projects over the years. Cullen said one of his favorite parts of the role was seeing young fans light up when they heard him speak in Eeyore's voice.
His other credits included voicing King Kong in the 1976 film "King Kong" and K.A.R.R. on "Knight Rider." He also created the creature's vocal sounds in "Predator" and voiced Monterey Jack on "Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers."
For generations of fans, Cullen will remain inseparable from the beloved characters he voiced throughout his career. His family hopes his fans will remember to "be strong enough to be gentle," just like Optimus Prime.
Resources: Wikipedia.org, Yahoo.com, Gizmondo.com
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58 Comments
datinykid215 days"One shall stand, one shall fall."
hojikyhosaha10 daysI love Optimus prime
dufupyrapize10 daysfr he was the goat
dahacezebewy5 daysyour ausoume
- hojikyhosaha10 daysThis is Lowkey sad
pesurujowiby10 dayshe will be missed
godismysavior10 daysso sad
daydayattack10 dayshe is a legend
honukobyvicy11 dayshe will be the one and only true Optimus prime.- honukobyvicy11 daysman I'm so bum that he died he was one of my favorite voice actor.
- nolanb203411 daysi am so sad
- nolanb203411 daysI love Optimus prime. he was my fav.
