Peter Cullen, the voice actor from Canada known for his roles as Eeyore in “Winnie the Pooh” and Optimus Prime in the “Transformers” series, has passed away. Cullen, 85, died at his residence in Los Angeles as confirmed by his agent, Kevin Motley, to CBC News.
Originally from Montreal, Cullen started his career on radio at CKGM and later transitioned to television as the announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” on CBS from 1967 to 1969. He lent his voice to various characters, including King Kong in a 1976 remake and the creature in “Predator” in 1987.
Fans of the 1988-91 series “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” will recognize Cullen as the voice of Eeyore. He continued voicing the lovable donkey in the 2002 film “Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year” and other productions. However, his most iconic role was as Optimus Prime, the talking truck transformer, which he portrayed since the early ’80s.
In 1986, there was significant backlash when Optimus Prime met his demise in “The Transformers: The Movie” in a battle against Megatron. Yet, the character was revived in 1987 in “The Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime.” Director Michael Bay brought Cullen back in 2007 for the film “Transformers,” alongside stars like Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox.
During the Calgary Comic Expo in 2015, Cullen shared how his brother Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine, inspired his portrayal of Optimus Prime by emphasizing that a true hero is “strong enough to be gentle.” Cullen’s family, in announcing his passing, urged fans to honor his legacy by serving their communities with compassion, integrity, and loyalty, echoing Larry’s words.
Peter Cullen’s talent and contributions will be cherished by his friends and fans globally, as his family bids farewell to a remarkable individual.