In brief
Peter Cullen, the Canadian voice actor who brought to life the heroic Optimus Prime and the wistful Eeyore, died at 85 following a peaceful passing at his Los Angeles home. His repertoire also included the harsh voice of KARR in Knight Rider, the predator in the 1987 film, and the roaring King Kong in the 1976 film. Cullen's voicework earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination and a lifetime achievement award at the 2023 Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. Friends and family remember his legacy of strength, gentleness, and compassion.
Peter Cullen, the iconic Canadian voice actor who gave life to Optimus Prime and the somber Eeyore, has passed away at 85.
He began his career in Canadian television and radio, and later returned to the spotlight as the deep‑voiced leader of the Autobots for the original 1984 Transformers series. Cullen reprised the role in seven Hollywood films from 2007 to 2023 and contributed to numerous spin‑offs.
His talents extended to animation, with roles such as the depressive donkey Eeyore in The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (late 1980s), KARR in Knight Rider, the Predator’s clicks in the 1987 film, and King Kong’s roars in the 1976 classic.
Cullen’s voice artistry earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2011 and a lifetime achievement award from the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards in 2023. He also voiced characters in beloved series like Chip ’n Dale Rescue Rangers, Spider‑Man, Donkey Kong, My Little Pony, and Gummi Bears.
He died peacefully on Wednesday at his Los Angeles home, surrounded by family. A statement released by his family read: "Peter Cullen passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family—and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide. His family asks that you honour his remarkable legacy by serving your communities and leading others with compassion, integrity, and loyalty. Always remember ‘be strong enough to be gentle’."
Brother’s Guidance
Cullen’s Optimus Prime voice was shaped by advice from his older brother, a decorated US Marine and Vietnam War veteran, who urged him to portray the character as a real hero: “Don’t go yelling and screaming. He’s strong enough to be gentle.” This wisdom resonated with Peter and informed his portrayal of the leader of the Autobots.
He also shared a portion of the earnings from the Optimus Prime role with his brother until his death.
