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.
Cullen, who was born in Montreal, began his career on radio at CKGM and later transitioned to television as the announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” on CBS from 1967 to 1969. He lent his voice to various characters over the years, including the giant ape in the 1976 version of “King Kong” and the menacing creature in the 1987 movie “Predator.”
Most notably, Cullen’s distinct voice could be recognized by millennials from his portrayal of Eeyore in the animated series “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” from 1988 to 1991. He continued to voice Eeyore in subsequent projects like the 2002 film “Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year.”
However, Cullen’s most significant role was that of Optimus Prime, the heroic leader of the Autobots in the “Transformers” franchise. He first voiced the character in the early 1980s and reprised the role in the 2007 science fiction action film “Transformers,” directed by Michael Bay.
At the 2015 Calgary Comic Expo, Cullen shared how his brother Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine, inspired the voice of Optimus Prime. He recalled Larry’s belief that true heroism lies in being “strong enough to be gentle,” a sentiment that resonated with Cullen as he gave life to the iconic character.
In a statement announcing Cullen’s passing, his family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from fans and urged everyone to honor his legacy by embodying qualities such as compassion, integrity, and loyalty. They emphasized the importance of being “strong enough to be gentle,” a principle that Cullen cherished throughout his life.