Peter Cullen, voice of Optimus Prime and Eeyore, dies at 85
What's new: Cullen died Wednesday at his Los Angeles home after voicing Optimus Prime for more than four decades.
Peter Cullen, the Canadian actor whose gravelly delivery defined Optimus Prime in the “Transformers” franchise and later brought Eeyore to generations of “Winnie the Pooh” fans, has died at 85. His agent, Kevin Motley, said Cullen died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. Cullen first voiced the Autobot leader in the 1984-1987 animated series and returned for later films, TV projects and video games over more than 40 years. He said the character’s voice drew on advice from his older brother, a U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran, to play the hero as “strong enough to be gentle.” Cullen also worked on “Predator,” “Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers” and other animated series, and received a Children’s & Family Emmy lifetime achievement award in 2023.