Peter Cullen, a renowned Canadian voice actor famed for his portrayal of iconic characters such as Optimus Prime from Transformers and Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, has passed away at 85. Cullen died on Wednesday at his Los Angeles home, with family members by his side, as revealed in a statement from his family.
Originating from Montreal, Cullen embarked on his career in Canadian television and radio. His journey later elevated him to become one of the most distinguished figures in the voice acting arena. He first lent his voice to Optimus Prime in the 1984 Transformers animated series and continued to embody the character in seven major films from 2007 to 2023, as well as in various spin-offs.
Cullen’s voice also became synonymous with Eeyore, the somber donkey character from Winnie the Pooh. He voiced Eeyore in “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” and numerous other television shows, films, and video games connected to the franchise. His versatility was further demonstrated through notable performances such as voicing KARR, the villainous counterpart to KITT, in “Knight Rider,” providing the creature’s distinctive clicking sounds in the 1987 film “Predator,” and voicing King Kong in the 1976 remake.
The portrayal of Optimus Prime was a role Cullen approached with inspiration from his older brother Larry, a former US Marine Corps captain. Larry’s influence guided Cullen to shape Optimus Prime as a character who was a true hero—strong but not aggressive. This approach earned Cullen a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2011, and he was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards in 2023.
Throughout his extensive career, Cullen carved a niche for himself by bringing to life some of the most cherished animated and science-fiction characters, securing his legacy in popular culture. His contributions have left an indelible mark, ensuring that his voice and characters will continue to resonate with audiences for generations to come.