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. Cullen, a native of Montreal, began his career in radio on CKGM and later transitioned to television, notably as the announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” from 1967 to 1969.
In addition to voicing King Kong in the 1976 remake and creating the menacing sounds for the monster in “Predator” in 1987, Cullen endeared himself to audiences as Eeyore in “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” from 1988 to 1991. However, his most significant role was as the voice of Optimus Prime, the heroic leader of the Autobots in the “Transformers” franchise.
Despite a hiatus from the character, Cullen returned to voice Optimus Prime in the 2007 film “Transformers” directed by Michael Bay. Reflecting on his portrayal, Cullen shared at the Calgary Comic Expo in 2015 how his brother’s military background inspired his characterization of a hero being “strong enough to be gentle.”
Upon his passing, Cullen’s family emphasized his enduring legacy and called on fans to honor his memory by embodying qualities of compassion, integrity, and loyalty, echoing his belief in strength through gentleness.