Voice actor Peter Cullen, best known for Optimus Prime in 'Transformers,' dies at 85

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Peter Cullen, the legendary voice actor behind Optimus Prime, has died at the age of 85. The Canadian voice actor brought the heroic Prime to life across 'Transformers' films, TV shows and video games over decades.

Cullen’s agent, Kevin Moley, informed The Hollywood Reporter of his death. Cullen "passed away peacefully," his family said in a statement. He was also the voice of the gloomy Eeyore in dozens of 'Winnie the Pooh' projects.

Peter Cullen, iconic voice of Optimus Prime in 'Transformers,' dies at 85

Cullen’s family remembered the legendary voice actor with a heartfelt statement following his death at 85. Cullen “passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide,” his family said in a statement.

They ask “that you honor his remarkable legacy by serving your communities and leading others with compassion, integrity and loyalty and always remember ‘be strong enough to be gentle.’”

The Canadian actor began his most famous role as Prime in the 'Transformers' TV series in 1984. He later returned for several Hollywood films from 2007 to 2023, as well as the franchise’s spin-offs.

Optimus’ death after a duel with the tyrannical Megatron in 'The Transformers: The Movie' (1986) sparked a huge and unexpected outcry. The reaction prompted producers to bring Cullen and the character back for the 1987 straight-to-video movie 'The Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime'.

Cullen also voiced Optimus in 'The Last Knight' (2017), 'Bumblebee' (2018) and 'Rise of the Beasts' (2023).

How Peter Cullen found the iconic voice of Optimus Prime

Cullen found the voice of Optimus Prime by drawing inspiration from his older brother, Larry, a US Marine and Vietnam War veteran. His brother encouraged him to portray the character as a “real hero” rather than a typical Hollywood hero.

“He said, 'Don't go yelling and screaming. He's strong enough to be gentle." “And that resonated with me, and I could hear his voice all the way to the audition. When he drops down, when he gets serious, is where I found Optimus Prime.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cullen recalled his brother’s influence in a 2006 interview. “When he came home, I could see a change. He was quieter, and he was a man and a superhero to me,” he said.

“I watched him and listened to him. I’d never had an opportunity to do a superhero, and when that came, [that voice] just came right out of me, and I sounded like Optimus.”

Cullen also explained how he approached his voice acting. “If I can’t see the character, I don’t know what I’m gonna do. I have to have something to relate to, to put myself inside of,” Cullen said of his voice-acting playbook.