Peter Cullen, the talented Canadian voice actor 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. The sad news was confirmed by his agent, Kevin Motley, to CBC News, stating that Cullen died at his residence in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Originally from Montreal, Cullen began his career in radio at CKGM before transitioning to television as the announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” on CBS from 1967 to 1969. His vocal talents were also showcased in the 1976 version of “King Kong” as the voice of the giant ape and in the 1987 film “Predator” for creating the menacing creature sounds.
Fans may remember Cullen for his portrayal of Eeyore in the 1988-1991 series “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh,” a role he reprised in various films and shows, including the 2002 production “Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year.” However, his most prominent character was Optimus Prime, the heroic talking truck transformer, which he voiced since the early 1980s.
In 1986, Optimus Prime’s demise in a showdown with Megatron in “The Transformers: The Movie” sparked a massive outcry among enthusiasts, leading to his revival in 1987’s “The Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime.” Despite a hiatus from the character, Cullen was brought back by director Michael Bay in 2007 for the blockbuster film “Transformers,” sharing the screen with Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, and Josh Duhamel.
During the 2015 Calgary Comic Expo, Cullen shared that his brother Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine, inspired his portrayal of Optimus Prime. Larry’s valor and belief that true heroism lies in being “strong enough to be gentle” profoundly influenced Cullen’s performance.
In a statement following Cullen’s passing, his family highlighted this sentiment, urging fans to commemorate his legacy by embodying qualities such as compassion, integrity, and loyalty, and always remembering to be “strong enough to be gentle.” Peter Cullen’s memory will endure in the hearts of his admirers and loved ones worldwide.