Renowned Canadian voice actor Peter Cullen, known for his iconic roles as Eeyore in “Winnie the Pooh” and Optimus Prime in the “Transformers” series, passed away at the age of 85 at his residence in Los Angeles. His agent, Kevin Motley, confirmed the sad news to CBC News.
Cullen, originally from Montreal, began his career on radio station CKGM before transitioning to television as the announcer for the “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” on CBS between 1967 and 1969. Notably, he lent his voice to the giant ape in the 1976 remake of “King Kong” and provided the menacing sounds for the creature in “Predator” in 1987.
Many may recognize Cullen’s voice from his portrayal of Eeyore in the 1988-91 series “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.” He continued voicing Eeyore in various productions, including the 2002 film “Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year.” However, his most significant role was as Optimus Prime, the talking truck transformer, a character he portrayed from the early ’80s.
In 1986, there was a massive fan outcry when Optimus Prime met his demise in a battle with Megatron in “The Transformers: The Movie.” The character was later resurrected in 1987 in “The Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime.” Despite not voicing the character for two decades, Cullen was brought back by director Michael Bay in 2007 for the film “Transformers,” alongside notable actors Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, and Josh Duhamel.
During the Calgary Comic Expo in 2015, Cullen shared that his brother Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine, inspired the voice of Optimus Prime, emphasizing that a true hero is “strong enough to be gentle.” In a statement released by his family following his passing, they highlighted this sentiment, urging fans to honor Cullen’s legacy by embodying compassion, integrity, and loyalty in their actions.
Peter Cullen’s remarkable contributions to the world of voice acting will be cherished by his many friends and fans globally, as he leaves behind a legacy of strength and kindness.