Renowned voice actor Peter Cullen, famous for lending his voice to characters like 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, started his career on radio before transitioning to television, where he served as the announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” from 1967 to 1969.
His vocal talent was showcased in various roles, including voicing King Kong in a 1976 remake and creating the menacing sounds for the monster in the film “Predator” in 1987. Millennials may remember Cullen as the voice of Eeyore in “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” from 1988 to 1991 and in subsequent projects such as the 2002 film “Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year.”
However, Cullen’s most iconic role was as Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots in the “Transformers” series, which he portrayed since the early 1980s. Fans were deeply affected when Optimus Prime met his demise in “The Transformers: The Movie” in 1986, leading to a significant outcry. The character was later revived in 1987 with “The Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime.”
Despite a hiatus from the role, Cullen was rehired by director Michael Bay in 2007 for the film “Transformers,” alongside stars like Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. At the Calgary Comic Expo in 2015, Cullen shared that his brother Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine, inspired his portrayal of Optimus Prime by emphasizing that true heroism lies in being “strong enough to be gentle.”
Cullen’s family announced his passing, urging fans to honor his legacy by embodying qualities of compassion, integrity, and loyalty, reflecting Cullen’s belief to “be strong enough to be gentle.”
