Peter Cullen, the legendary voice actor best known for bringing Optimus Prime to life in Transformers and Eeyore to life in Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, has died at the age of 85. His agent, Kevin Motley, confirmed to ABC News that Cullen died at his Los Angeles home on August 26, though no cause of death was disclosed.
Cullen’s family said he
“passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family,”
and asked fans to remember his legacy through compassion, integrity, and loyalty. The family also echoed the phrase closely associated with Cullen’s most famous character:
“Be strong enough to be gentle.”
A Voice That Defined Optimus Prime and Eeyore
Cullen first voiced Optimus Prime in the original Transformers animated series in 1984 and remained closely connected to the character for decades. He returned as the Autobot leader in the live-action Transformers films, helping make his deep and commanding voice synonymous with the character across generations.
Hasbro, which paid tribute to Cullen after his death, explained that his performance as Optimus Prime was inspired by his older brother Larry, a Vietnam War veteran. Larry told him that a hero should be “strong enough to be gentle,” an idea that became central to Cullen’s portrayal of the Autobot leader.
Beyond Transformers, Cullen was also widely loved as the gloomy but gentle donkey Eeyore. He told NPR in 2014 that seeing children react to Eeyore’s voice was “one of the great joys” of his career.
Cullen’s extensive body of work also included Knight Rider, Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, G.I. Joe, and vocal effects for Predator. His work earned him a lifetime achievement award at the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards in 2023. His family, fans, and colleagues now remember a performer whose voice became an unforgettable part of animation and pop culture history.
