Renowned Canadian voice actor Peter Cullen, known for portraying Eeyore in the classic “Winnie the Pooh” series and the iconic Optimus Prime in the popular “Transformers” franchise, has passed away at the age of 85. His agent, Kevin Motley, confirmed the sad news, stating that Cullen died at his residence in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Originally from Montreal, Cullen started his career in radio, later transitioning to television as an announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” on CBS from 1967 to 1969. His vocal talents were further showcased in the 1976 remake of “King Kong” and as the voice of the monster in the movie “Predator” in 1987.
Fans of the 1988-91 series “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” may recognize Cullen’s voice as Eeyore, a role he continued in various adaptations, including the 2002 film “Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year.” However, his most notable role was voicing Optimus Prime, the heroic leader of the Autobots, starting in the early 1980s.
Despite not portraying Optimus Prime for two decades, Cullen was brought back by director Michael Bay in 2007 for the film “Transformers,” alongside notable actors Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, and Josh Duhamel. At 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 true heroism lies in being “strong enough to be gentle.”
In a statement released by his family following his passing, they expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and encouraged fans to honor Cullen’s legacy by embodying qualities of compassion, integrity, and loyalty, while always remembering to “Be strong enough to be gentle.”