Peter Cullen, the legendary voice behind Transformers‘ Optimus Prime, has died at the age of 85, leaving behind a long and celebrated career.
The beloved actor’s family confirmed his death to TMZ on Wednesday, August 27. “Peter 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.
Born in Montreal in 1941, Cullen became one of the most recognisable voices in Hollywood. He first brought Optimus Prime to life in the original Transformers animated series in 1984 and went on to voice the Autobot leader in numerous projects, including Michael Bay’s 2007 live-action film.
His connection to the franchise continued for decades, with his final appearance as Optimus Prime coming in a 2024 episode of Fox’s The Masked Singer.
But Cullen’s career extended well beyond Transformers. He voiced The Predator in the Predator franchise and Eeyore in several Winnie the Pooh projects, while also lending his voice to Thaedus in Invincible, Captain Flint in Treasure Planet and Monterey Jack in Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers.
In 2023, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences honoured Cullen with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2nd Annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards.
His family asked fans to honour his legacy by serving their communities and leading with “compassion, integrity, and loyalty” while remembering to “be strong enough to be gentle.”
