Renowned Canadian voice actor Peter Cullen, known for voicing Eeyore in “Winnie the Pooh” and Optimus Prime in the “Transformers” series, has passed away at the age of 85. The sad news was confirmed by his agent, Kevin Motley, to CBC News. Cullen, originally from Montreal, began his career in radio at CKGM before transitioning to TV as the announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” from 1967 to 1969.
In addition to his iconic roles, Cullen lent his voice to various characters, including the giant ape in the 1976 remake of “King Kong” and the monster sounds in “Predator” in 1987. Fans of the 1988-91 series “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” will recognize Cullen as the voice of Eeyore, a role he reprised in the 2002 film “Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year” and other productions.
However, Cullen’s most significant role was as the voice of Optimus Prime, the heroic leader of the Autobots in the “Transformers” franchise. His portrayal of Optimus Prime resonated so deeply with fans that when the character met his demise in “The Transformers: The Movie” in 1986, there was widespread backlash. The character was later revived in “The Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime” in 1987.
Despite a hiatus from the role, Cullen was brought back by director Michael Bay in 2007 for the film “Transformers,” where he starred alongside Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, and Josh Duhamel. At the Calgary Comic Expo in 2015, Cullen shared how his brother Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine, inspired the voice of Optimus Prime by emphasizing the importance of being “strong enough to be gentle.”
In a statement announcing Cullen’s passing, his family reflected on his legacy, urging fans to honor his memory by embodying qualities of compassion, integrity, and loyalty. They highlighted the poignant advice from Larry to “be strong enough to be gentle,” a sentiment that encapsulates Cullen’s enduring impact on his loved ones and admirers worldwide.