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 in his Los Angeles residence, confirmed by his agent Kevin Motley to CBC News.
Originally from Montreal, Cullen began his career in radio on CKGM and later transitioned to television as the announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” on CBS from 1967 to 1969. His vocal talents extended to the 1976 remake of “King Kong,” where he provided the voice for the giant ape, and the terrifying sounds of the monster in the 1987 film “Predator.”
Fans of the 1988-91 series “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” may recognize Cullen’s voice as he portrayed the character Eeyore. He continued voicing the beloved donkey in the 2002 film “Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year” and various other productions. However, his most significant role was portraying Optimus Prime, the talking truck transformer, which he first brought to life in the early ’80s.
In 1986, Optimus Prime’s death in “The Transformers: The Movie” sparked a massive fan outcry, leading to the character’s revival in 1987 with “The Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime.” Despite a two-decade hiatus from the role, Cullen was reintroduced as Optimus Prime in the 2007 science fiction action film “Transformers” directed by Michael Bay.
During the 2015 Calgary Comic Expo, Cullen shared that his brother Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine, inspired the voice of Optimus Prime by emphasizing that a true hero is “strong enough to be gentle.” In a statement following his passing, Cullen’s family encouraged fans to honor his legacy by embodying qualities of compassion, integrity, and loyalty, while always remembering to “Be strong enough to be gentle.”
