Peter Cullen, voice of Optimus Prime and Eeyore, dies at 85
Canadian actor Peter Cullen, whose voice work brought Optimus Prime and Eeyore to generations of audiences, died at his Los Angeles home on August 26, 2026.
In short
- Canadian actor Peter Cullen, whose voice work brought Optimus Prime and Eeyore to generations of audiences, died at his Los Angeles home on August 26, 2026.
Peter Cullen, the Canadian actor best known as the voice of Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise and Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh productions, died on August 26, 2026, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 85.
His family said Cullen died peacefully with relatives around him. They asked admirers to honor his legacy through compassion, integrity and service to their communities.
Born in Montreal, Cullen began his career in Canadian radio and television. He later appeared regularly on US programs including The Sonny & Cher Show and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour before concentrating on voice acting.
Cullen first voiced Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots, in the Transformers television series in 1984. He returned to the role for seven Hollywood films released between 2007 and 2023, as well as related productions. He said the character’s calm authority was inspired by his older brother Larry, a retired US Marine Corps captain and Vietnam War veteran, who advised him to portray a hero whose strength allowed him to be gentle.
Cullen also voiced Eeyore in The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and numerous related films, programs and games. His other credits included KARR in Knight Rider, King Kong’s roars in the 1976 remake and the distinctive clicking sounds of the creature in the 1987 film Predator.
His performance earned a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2011. In 2023, the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards honored him with a lifetime achievement award.
