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 85 in his Los Angeles residence, as confirmed by his agent Kevin Motley to CBC News. Cullen, originally from Montreal, showcased his talent in radio and later on television as the announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” on CBS from 1967 to 1969.
In addition to his well-known roles, Cullen lent his voice to the giant ape in the 1976 remake of “King Kong” and provided sounds for the monster in “Predator” in 1987. His portrayal of Eeyore in “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” from 1988 to 1991 and subsequent projects endeared him to millennials. However, his most significant role was as Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots, which he started portraying in the early ’80s.
Fans were deeply affected by Optimus Prime’s demise in “The Transformers: The Movie” in 1986, prompting a strong reaction. The character was later resurrected in 1987 in “The Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime.” Despite a two-decade hiatus from the role, Cullen was rehired by director Michael Bay in 2007 for the film “Transformers,” starring alongside Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, and Josh Duhamel.
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 the strength in gentleness. In their statement announcing Cullen’s passing, his family highlighted this sentiment and urged fans to honor his legacy by embodying compassion, integrity, and loyalty. They expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from friends and fans worldwide.
