Peter Cullen, voice actor for Optimus Prime and Eeyore, died at age 85.
The Canadian actor passed away on Wednesday, 27 August 2026, at his home in Los Angeles, a statement released by his representatives confirmed.
Cullen began his career on Canadian television and radio before focusing on voice work. He first lent his deep, heroic baritone to Optimus Prime in the 1984 Transformers TV series and was reunited with the character for seven Hollywood films from 2007 to 2023.
He also voiced the melancholic donkey Eeyore in Disney’s The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and appeared in other animated series such as Spider‑Man, Donkey Kong, Alvin & the Chipmunks, Dungeons & Dragons, My Little Pony, Duck Tales and Gummi Bears.
In addition to his famous roles, Cullen earned a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2011 for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program and was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the Children’s and Family Emmys in 2023.
Cullen’s Optimus Prime voice was guided by his older brother, a decorated U.S. Marine, who encouraged him to portray “a real hero, don’t be a Hollywood hero” and that the character “was strong enough to be gentle.” That advice was reflected in Cullen’s nuanced vocal delivery.
In a statement, Cullen’s family said he passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones and that he will be remembered by fans worldwide. They requested that people honor his legacy by acting with compassion, integrity, and loyalty—“be strong enough to be gentle.”
Cullen’s influence spanned four decades of voice acting, leaving a lasting imprint on animation, film, and popular culture. His final days were spent at home, surrounded by family, as he had requested. The entertainment community mourns his loss and celebrates the breadth of his contributions.
