Renowned voice actor Peter Cullen, known for his iconic roles as Eeyore in “Winnie the Pooh” and Optimus Prime in the “Transformers” series, has passed away at the age of 85. His agent, Kevin Motley, confirmed Cullen’s death at his residence in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Originally from Montreal, Cullen began his career in radio on CKGM before transitioning to television as the announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” on CBS from 1967 to 1969. He lent his voice to the giant ape in the 1976 remake of “King Kong” and provided the menacing sounds for the monster in “Predator” in 1987.
Fans of the 1988-91 series “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” may recognize Cullen as the voice of the lovable donkey Eeyore, a role he reprised in various adaptations, including the 2002 film “Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year.” However, Cullen’s most significant portrayal was that of Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots, a character he portrayed since the early 1980s.
In 1986, Optimus Prime’s on-screen demise in “The Transformers: The Movie” sparked a massive fan outcry, leading to the character’s resurrection in “The Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime” the following year. Director Michael Bay later brought Cullen back in 2007 for the film “Transformers,” where he starred alongside Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, and Josh Duhamel.
During the Calgary Comic Expo in 2015, Cullen shared that his brother Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine, inspired his portrayal of Optimus Prime. Larry’s words about heroism – being “strong enough to be gentle” – resonated with Cullen and influenced his performance.
In a statement announcing Cullen’s passing, his family highlighted his enduring legacy and urged fans to honor his memory by embodying qualities such as compassion, integrity, and loyalty. They emphasized the importance of being strong yet gentle, echoing Larry’s impactful words.