Renowned Canadian 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 the age of 85. His agent, Kevin Motley, confirmed the sad news, stating that Cullen died at his residence in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Born in Montreal, Cullen began his career in radio before transitioning to television, where he notably served as the announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” on CBS from 1967 to 1969. His vocal talents were also showcased in various productions, such as providing the voice for King Kong in the 1976 remake and creating chilling sounds for the monster in the film “Predator” in 1987.
Fans may recognize Cullen for his portrayal of Eeyore in “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” series from 1988 to 1991, a role he reprised in the 2002 film “Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year” and other related projects. However, his most prominent character was Optimus Prime, the heroic leader of the Autobots in the Transformers franchise, a role he began in the early ’80s.
Despite a hiatus from the character, Cullen returned to voice Optimus Prime in the 2007 film “Transformers,” directed by Michael Bay. At the Calgary Comic Expo in 2015, Cullen shared that his brother Larry, a former U.S. Marine, inspired the voice of Optimus Prime, teaching him that true heroism lies in being “strong enough to be gentle.”
Cullen’s family, in a statement announcing his passing, emphasized his enduring impact on friends and fans worldwide. They encouraged honoring his legacy by embodying qualities of compassion, integrity, and loyalty, recalling Larry’s wisdom to “Be strong enough to be gentle.”