Peter Cullen Dies at 85: The Voice of Optimus Prime Who Taught Us to Be ‘Strong Enough to Be Gentle

The legendary voice actor who defined the heroic Autobot leader and the beloved Eeyore has passed away, leaving behind a legacy that spans generations.

Peter Cullen, the Canadian voice actor whose sonorous and authoritative baritone brought to life Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise and the melancholic Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, has died. He was 85 .

Cullen passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by his family . His agent, Kevin Motley, confirmed the news. A cause of death was not immediately disclosed .

A Legacy Forged in Sound

For millions around the world, Peter Cullen’s voice was the sound of heroism. He first voiced the leader of the Autobots in the original 1984 Transformers animated series, a role that would come to define his career . Decades later, he reprised the role for director Michael Bay’s 2007 live-action blockbuster, continuing to voice Optimus Prime in seven films, including 2023’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts .

In a 2019 interview with The Associated Press, Cullen spoke of the unique nature of the role that made him a star. “You’re always auditioning for something in animation that’s a little off of the norm,” he said . He was originally told he would be reading for a “hero truck”—a concept that made his brother laugh .

The Brotherhood That Defined a Hero

The soul of Cullen’s Optimus Prime came not from a script, but from his older brother, Larry Cullen, a decorated U.S. Marine and Vietnam War veteran .

On the day of his audition, Cullen’s brother offered advice that would resonate for decades: “Don’t be a Hollywood hero. Be a real hero, and you can be strong enough to be gentle and understanding” .

“He said, ‘Don’t go yelling and screaming. He’s strong enough to be gentle,'” Cullen recalled . He channeled Larry’s calm, authoritative tone during the audition, and the character was born . The actor later gave his brother a cut of his wages for the role until Larry’s death in 2011 .

Beyond Optimus Prime: An Icon of Range

While Optimus Prime was his most famous creation, Cullen’s career was marked by incredible range. To many, he was the voice of Eeyore, the loveably gloomy donkey in The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and numerous subsequent projects . He often cited Eeyore as his second-favorite character, once telling NPR that he enjoyed the role because “he was simply charming” .

His distinctive vocal talents were also featured as:

• KARR, the evil twin to KITT, in the classic series Knight Rider .
• The terrifying clicking sounds of the titular alien in the 1987 film Predator, which he based on the sounds of a dying horseshoe crab .
• The roars of King Kong in the 1976 remake .

His career also included a host of other animated classics such as DuckTales, Gummi Bears, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, and the series Invincible .

“Be Strong Enough to Be Gentle”

Cullen’s impact on pop culture was formally recognized when he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards in 2023. He was also nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2011 for his work on Transformers: Prime .

He remained deeply connected to his fans, often appearing at conventions to meet with generations who grew up with his voice. He would frequently become emotional at the sight of a father introducing his son to the hero he grew up with .

In their statement, Cullen’s family asked the public to honor his legacy by “serving your communities and leading others with compassion, integrity, and loyalty and always remember ‘be strong enough to be gentle'” .

Peter Cullen is survived by his four children: Angus, Claire, Pilar, and Clay