Peter Cullen, the talented voice artist known for portraying Eeyore in the beloved Winnie the Pooh series and Optimus Prime in the iconic Transformers franchise, has passed away. The sad news was confirmed by his agent, Kevin Motley, to CBC News, revealing that Cullen died in his Los Angeles residence at the age of 85.
Originally from Montreal, Cullen’s career began on the radio at CKGM before transitioning to television as the announcer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour on CBS from 1967 to 1969. He lent his voice to notable characters such as the giant ape in the 1976 King Kong remake and the ominous sounds of the creature in the 1987 film Predator.
Fans of different generations may remember Cullen as the voice of Eeyore in the 1988-91 series The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and in subsequent projects like the 2002 film Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year. However, his most prominent role was as Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots in the Transformers series, a character he portrayed since the early ’80s.
In a significant moment at the Calgary Comic Expo in 2015, Cullen shared how his brother Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine, inspired the voice of Optimus Prime. Larry’s valor and belief that real heroes are “strong enough to be gentle” resonated with Cullen and influenced his portrayal of the iconic character.
Cullen’s family, in a statement announcing his passing, emphasized his enduring legacy and urged fans to honor him by embodying qualities such as compassion, integrity, and loyalty, always remembering to “Be strong enough to be gentle.” His remarkable contributions will be cherished by his numerous friends and fans worldwide.