Peter Cullen, voice of Optimus Prime and Eeyore, dies at 85

Sun Sep 06 2026 15:51:46 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Canadian actor Peter Cullen, famed for voicing Optimus Prime in Transformers and Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, passed away in Los Angeles.

Peter Cullen, the Canadian voice actor who gave life to Optimus Prime and Eeyore, died at 85. He began a long career in Canadian TV and radio before becoming a staple in animation, lending his voice to numerous iconic characters. Cullen’s portrayal of Optimus Prime earned him Emmy recognition, while his gentle yet commanding style was shaped by his brother’s advice. He is remembered for a legacy of compassionate service and gentle strength.

Peter Cullen, voice of Optimus Prime and Eeyore, dies at 85

Peter Cullen, the Canadian actor who gave life to iconic voices such as Optimus Prime in the Transformers series and Eeyore in Disney’s Winnie the Pooh franchise, died on Wednesday in Los Angeles at the age of 85.

Cullen’s career began on Canadian television and radio. He found his niche in voice work, becoming the unmistakable deep voice of the heroic Autobot leader in the 1984 animated series and later in seven feature films through 2023. He also voiced Eeyore from 1988 onward in The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and in many related films and games.

Other notable roles include the villainous KARR in the TV show Knight Rider, the cunning Predator in the 1987 film, and the roar of King Kong in 1976. He voiced numerous other characters across the 1980s and 1990s, such as Monterey Jack in Chip ’n Dale Rescue Rangers, Spider‑Man, Donkey Kong, Alvin & the Chipmunks, Dungeons & Dragons, My Little Pony, Duck Tales and Gummi Bears.

Cullen’s portrayal of Optimus Prime earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2011 and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards in 2023. He was praised for a voice that conveyed strength with gentle authority—a trait he credited to his brother, a Vietnam veteran who advised him to “be strong enough to be gentle.”

He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family. Cullen’s family requested that the public honor his legacy by serving their communities with compassion, integrity, and loyalty.