Renowned Canadian voice actor Peter Cullen, known for voicing Eeyore in “Winnie the Pooh” and Optimus Prime in the “Transformers” series, has passed away at the age of 85. Cullen’s agent, Kevin Motley, confirmed the sad news, stating that Cullen died at his residence in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Originally from Montreal, Cullen began his career on the radio at CKGM and later transitioned to television as the announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” on CBS from 1967 to 1969. His vocal talents were showcased in various productions, including providing the voice of King Kong in the 1976 remake and creating the menacing sounds for the monster in “Predator” in 1987.
Fans of the 1988-91 series “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” may recognize Cullen as the voice of Eeyore, a role he reprised in the 2002 film “Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year” and subsequent shows and videos. However, his most iconic portrayal was that of Optimus Prime, the heroic leader of the Autobots in the “Transformers” franchise, which he began in the early ’80s.
In a memorable moment at the Calgary Comic Expo in 2015, Cullen shared that his brother Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine, inspired his portrayal of Optimus Prime by emphasizing that true heroism lies in being “strong enough to be gentle.” Cullen’s family, in a statement announcing his passing, encouraged fans to honor his legacy by embodying qualities of compassion, integrity, and loyalty, always remembering to “be strong enough to be gentle.”