Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Peter Cullen, Voice of Optimus Prime, Dies at 85
Peter Cullen was an actor who used his voice to play famous characters.
He was best known as Optimus Prime, the heroic leader from Transformers.
He also played Eeyore, the gloomy donkey from Winnie the Pooh.
Cullen died at his home in Los Angeles when he was 85.
His family was with him, and his agent confirmed the news.
The reason he died has not been announced.
He worked in television, movies and video games for more than six decades.
His family asked people to remember him by showing compassion, integrity and loyalty.
Canadian voice actor Peter Cullen died peacefully at his Los Angeles home on Wednesday, aged 85.
Cullen’s agent Kevin Motley and family confirmed his death; no cause was disclosed.
He voiced Optimus Prime in the 1984 Transformers series and later animated, live-action and video-game projects.
Cullen was also known for voicing Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh and K.A.R.R. in Knight Rider.
His other work included King Kong in the 1976 film and the Predator’s distinctive clicking sounds.
- Who
- Peter Cullen, a Canadian voice actor known for Optimus Prime and Eeyore, died; his agent Kevin Motley and family confirmed the news.
- What
- Cullen died at age 85 after a career spanning television, films and video games.
- When
- He died on Wednesday; the articles do not provide a calendar date for his death.
- Where
- At his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family.
- Why
- The cause of death was not disclosed.
- Age at death
- 85
- Place of death
- Cullen’s home in Los Angeles
- Death confirmation
- His agent Kevin Motley and his family confirmed the death.
- Signature role
- Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots, in Transformers
- Other major role
- Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh
- Career length
- More than six decades across television, films and video games
- Recognition
- He received a lifetime achievement award at the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards in 2023 and was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2011.
- Survivors
- Reports say he is survived by his wife, Brandi Cullen, and four children: Angus, Claire, Pilar and Clay; one report also mentions three grandchildren.
Sources
Peter Cullen, Voice Of Optimus Prime And Eeyore, Passes Away At 85
Optimus Prime Voice Actor Peter Cullen Dies at 85
Peter Cullen, voice of Optimus Prime in ‘Transformers’, dies at 85 in Los Angeles
Peter Cullen, Voice Behind Optimus Prime In Transformers, Dies At 85 In Los Angeles
Peter Cullen Dies At 85: Transformers' Iconic Optimus Prime Voice Actor Passes Away, Family Confirms
