Peter Cullen, the renowned US voice actor best known for giving Optimus Prime his iconic voice in the 1984 Transformers series and voicing Eeyore in the Winnie the Pooh franchise, has died at the age of 85. Cullen passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at his home in Los Angeles, according to his agent Kevin Motley.
Cullen's career spanned decades, including roles as an announcer on the late-1960s Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, voices in The Smurfs and GI Joe series, and the villainous KARR in the 1980s NBC series Knight Rider. He also lent his voice to King Kong in the 1976 remake starring Jeff Bridges.
His portrayal of Optimus Prime left a lasting impact on pop culture, inspiring a toy line, spinoff cartoons, comics, and a multibillion-dollar live-action film franchise launched in 2007 by Michael Bay. Cullen once said he only knew he was auditioning for the part of a truck, reflecting the unique nature of animation voice work.
The family requested that Cullen's legacy be honored by serving communities with compassion, integrity, and loyalty, urging everyone to "be strong enough to be gentle."
Peter Cullen was also recognized for his emotional connection with fans, recalling moments where fathers and sons would become choked up during encounters at conventions.
Loading comments.