Peter Cullen, the voice actor best known for playing Optimus Prime in Transformers and Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, died Wednesday at his Los Angeles home at age 85. His agent, Kevin Motley, confirmed the death to ABC News; a cause was not disclosed.
“Peter Cullen passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide,” Cullen’s family said in a statement.
A Six-Decade Career
Born in Montreal in 1941, Cullen was a member of the first graduating class of the National Theatre School of Canada in 1963 and trained his voice under operatic coach Bernard Diamant. He worked as a radio announcer in Montreal and served as the announcer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour from 1967 to 1969 before moving into voice acting full time.
Optimus Prime
Cullen voiced Optimus Prime in the original animated Transformers series from 1984 to 1987, then returned to the role after roughly two decades away for Michael Bay’s 2007 live-action Transformers film, which launched five sequels, the Bumblebee spinoff, and numerous animated shows and video games. Cullen has said he modeled Optimus Prime’s calm authority on his brother Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine, who once told him, “Real heroes don’t yell and act tough; they’re tough enough to be gentle.”
Beyond Optimus Prime
Cullen also voiced Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, provided vocal effects for the creature in the original 1987 Predator, voiced Monterey Jack in Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, and played KARR in Knight Rider. Of all his roles, Cullen said Optimus Prime and Eeyore remained his favorites.
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