NEW YORK — Peter Cullen, the voice actor who gave Optimus Prime his distinctive baritone in the original “Transformers” animated series and voiced Eeyore in the “Winnie the Pooh” franchise, died Wednesday at his Los Angeles home. He was 85.
His agent, Kevin Motley, confirmed his death. Cullen’s family asked fans to honor his legacy through community service and compassion.
Cullen built a career spanning television series, specials, films and commercials before becoming best known as the voice of Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots.
Cullen first voiced the character in the syndicated “Transformers” series that debuted in 1984. The show ran for several years but helped establish a franchise that expanded into toys, comics, spinoff series and a live-action film series beginning in 2007.
Cullen said he drew inspiration for Optimus Prime from his older brother Larry, a U.S. Marine who served during the Vietnam War.
“He was my hero,” Cullen told The Associated Press in 2019. “I just did an impression of Larry.”
Cullen later reprised the role in the “Transformers” film franchise, including “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” “Dark of the Moon,” “Age of Extinction,” “The Last Knight,” “Bumblebee” and “Rise of the Beasts” in 2023.
Beyond Optimus Prime, Cullen voiced Eeyore in several “Winnie-the-Pooh” productions, including Disney’s “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” television series.
His other credits included KARR in the 1980s NBC series “Knight Rider” and King Kong in the 1976 film starring Jeff Bridges.
Cullen began his entertainment career as an announcer on “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” in the late 1960s. He later lent his voice to productions including “The Smurfs” and multiple “G.I. Joe” projects.
Cullen regularly attended fan conventions, where he met audiences who had grown up with his characters.
He is survived by his four children, Angus, Claire, Pilar and Clay.
