Peter Cullen, the renowned Canadian voice artist known for voicing Eeyore in the beloved “Winnie the Pooh” series and Optimus Prime in the iconic “Transformers” franchise, has passed away. Cullen, aged 85, died at his residence in Los Angeles as confirmed by his agent Kevin Motley to CBC News.
Originally from Montreal, Cullen began his career on the radio at CKGM before transitioning to television as the announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” on CBS from 1967 to 1969. In the 1976 remake of “King Kong,” Cullen lent his voice to the giant ape and created the menacing sounds for the monster in the 1987 film “Predator.”
Fans of the 1988-91 series “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” will recognize Cullen as the voice of Eeyore, a role he continued in various productions, including the 2002 film “Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year.” However, his most significant contribution was as the voice of Optimus Prime, the heroic leader of the Autobots in the Transformers series, a role he portrayed since the early ’80s.
Cullen’s portrayal of Optimus Prime resonated so deeply with fans that there was a massive outcry in 1986 after the character’s demise in “The Transformers: The Movie.” In response to the backlash, Optimus Prime was resurrected in 1987 in “The Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime.”
Despite a hiatus from the character, Cullen returned to voice Optimus Prime in the 2007 film “Transformers,” directed by Michael Bay. At the 2015 Calgary Comic Expo, Cullen shared how his brother Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine, inspired his iconic voice by emphasizing the qualities of a true hero – strength and gentleness.
In a statement announcing Cullen’s passing, his family highlighted his enduring impact on fans worldwide and encouraged honoring his legacy by embodying compassion, integrity, and loyalty, echoing Larry’s words, “Be strong enough to be gentle.”