Renowned Canadian voice actor Peter Cullen, known for his iconic roles as Eeyore in “Winnie the Pooh” and Optimus Prime in the “Transformers” series, has passed away at the age of 85. His agent, Kevin Motley, confirmed Cullen’s death at his residence in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Starting his career in radio on CKGM and later transitioning to television as the announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” from 1967 to 1969, Cullen showcased his talent. In the 1976 remake of “King Kong,” he lent his voice to the giant ape and also provided chilling sounds for the monster in “Predator” in 1987.
Cullen’s distinctive voice might be familiar to millennials from his portrayal of Eeyore in “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” series from 1988 to 1991. He continued voicing Eeyore in the 2002 film “Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year” and other related productions. However, his most significant role was as Optimus Prime, the talking truck transformer, which he began playing in the early ’80s.
Optimus Prime’s character was so beloved that his on-screen death in “The Transformers: The Movie” in 1986 sparked a massive fan outcry. Subsequently, in 1987, the character was resurrected in “The Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime.” Despite not voicing the character for two decades, Cullen was rehired by director Michael Bay in 2007 for the film “Transformers,” featuring stars like Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox.
Reflecting on his inspiration for Optimus Prime’s voice, Cullen shared at the Calgary Comic Expo in 2015 how his brother Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine, influenced his portrayal. Larry’s words about a true hero being “strong enough to be gentle” resonated with Cullen, shaping his performance.
Cullen’s family, in announcing his passing, highlighted his enduring impact on friends and fans worldwide. They encouraged honoring his legacy by embodying qualities of compassion, integrity, and loyalty and remembering to “Be strong enough to be gentle.”