Peter Cullen, voice of Optimus Prime and Eeyore, dead at 85
Canadian actor Peter Cullen, famed for voicing Optimus Prime in the original Transformers series and Eeyore in Disney’s Winnie the Pooh franchise, has died at the age of 85.
He first brought the heroic robotic leader to life in the 1984 TV series and later voiced the character in seven Hollywood films from 2007 to 2023. Cullen also lent his deep, resonant voice to the melancholy donkey Eeyore in the 1980s TV animation The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and countless related shows, games, and films.
His earlier work included acting as Karr, the villainous counterpart to KITT in the 1976 series Knight Kid Rider; delivering the snarling vocal cues of the deadly Predator in the 1987 film; and roaring the iconic King Kong in the 1976 film of the same name.
Cullen’s career spanned numerous beloved 1980s and 1990s cartoons, such as Spider‑Man, Donkey Kong, Alvin & the Chipmunks, Dungeons & Dragons, My Little Pony, Duck Tales, and Gummi Bears. He also voiced Monterey Jack in the animated series Chip ’n Dale Rescue Rangers.
His performance as Optimus Prime earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program in 2011, and he received a lifetime achievement award at the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards in 2023.
Peter Cullen died on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, a statement said. He was surrounded by his family, who ask fans to honour his legacy by serving their communities with compassion, integrity, and loyalty and remembering to be “strong enough to be gentle.”
