Renowned Canadian voice actor Peter Cullen, known for portraying Eeyore in the animated series “Winnie the Pooh” and Optimus Prime in the “Transformers” franchise, has passed away at the age of 85 in his Los Angeles residence. The sad news was confirmed by his agent Kevin Motley to CBC News.
Originally from Montreal, Cullen began his career in radio at CKGM before transitioning to television as the announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” on CBS from 1967 to 1969. His vocal talents were also featured in the 1976 remake of “King Kong,” where he lent his voice to the giant ape and provided the menacing sounds for the monster in the film “Predator” in 1987.
Fans may remember Cullen as the voice of Eeyore in the series “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” from 1988 to 1991 and in subsequent projects like the 2002 film “Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year.” However, his most iconic role was as Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots in the “Transformers” series, a character he portrayed since the early ’80s.
Despite not voicing Optimus Prime for two decades, Cullen was brought back by director Michael Bay in 2007 for the film “Transformers,” alongside actors Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, and Josh Duhamel. At the Calgary Comic Expo in 2015, Cullen shared how his late brother Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine, inspired his portrayal of a hero as someone “strong enough to be gentle.”
In a statement released by his family following his passing, they highlighted Cullen’s enduring impact on his fans and encouraged everyone to honor his legacy by serving their communities with compassion, integrity, and loyalty, embodying the spirit of being “strong enough to be gentle.”