Peter Cullen, Voice Behind Optimus Prime and Eeyore, Dies at 85

Sun Sep 06 2026 01:49:35 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Canadian actor Peter Cullen, who gave life to Optimus Prime and Eeyore, has passed away, leaving a legacy of iconic voices across film and TV.

Peter Cullen, famed for voicing Optimus Prime in the 1984 Transformers series and later the 2007‑2023 Hollywood films, died at 85 in Los Angeles. The veteran actor began his career on Canadian radio, later championing voice‑acting roles like Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh and the Predator in the 1987 film. He received a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2011 and a lifetime achievement award at the 2023 Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. Cullen’s brother inspired the gentle‑yet‑strong quality of his iconic Optimus Prime voice, a memory the actor cherished until his death. He leaves behind a legacy celebrated by his family, fans, and the industry.

Peter Cullen, Voice Behind Optimus Prime and Eeyore, Dies at 85

Canadian actor Peter Cullen, best known for voicing Optimus Prime in the 1984 Transformers series and the 2007‑2023 Hollywood films, has passed away. He died at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by his family.

Cullen began his career on Canadian radio before becoming a regular on Canadian TV programmes. He turned to voice‑acting in the mid‑1970s and quickly secured roles in popular animated series such as Spider‑Man, Gummi Bears and My Little Pony. His talent would later be featured in iconic film roles, including the Predator in the 1987 movie and the roar of King Kong in 1976.

The voice that made him a household name was Optimus Prime. He first voiced the heroic leader for the original Transformers TV series and carried the character through seven Hollywood feature films until 2023. In his own words, his older brother, a US Marine veteran, encouraged him to make the character a “real hero” who is strong yet gentle. Cullen credited his brother’s advice when announcing a share of his wages the actor received for the role.

Cullen also gave the voice of the melancholy donkey Eeyore in The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and related media. Beyond that, his vocal talents have graced shows such as Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers and many other 80s and 90s cartoons.

His excellence earned a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2011 and a lifetime achievement award at the 2023 Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. The actor’s legacy is honoured by fans, colleagues, and community leaders worldwide.

Cullen left a note encouraging his family to honour his legacy by serving their communities with compassion, integrity, and loyalty while remembering to be strong enough to be gentle.

For a look at the actor’s smile in front of the Transformers logo: