Peter Cullen, the Canadian voice actor best known as Optimus Prime in the Transformers films and shows, has died at 85, as IGN reported. Cullen died on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles; his agent, Kevin Motley, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter. No cause of death was given.
The voice behind Optimus Prime
Cullen first voiced the Autobot leader on the 1984 animated series The Transformers, then returned for every live-action film from Michael Bay’s 2007 Transformers through 2023’s Rise of the Beasts. He based the voice on his older brother Larry, a decorated US Marine who served in Vietnam.
The performance stuck. When the 1986 animated film The Transformers: The Movie killed Optimus off, the outcry was loud enough that producers brought Cullen back a year later. The 2007 film grossed $709.7 million worldwide, and the franchise’s later entries passed $1.1 billion each.
Peter Cullen’s other roles
Cullen called Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh his second-favourite role, and he voiced the gloomy donkey across shows and films from 1988 onward. His wider credits include King Kong in the 1976 remake, K.A.R.R. in Knight Rider, the clicking sounds of the creature in Predator and Monterey Jack in Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers.
His work on the 2010–13 series Transformers: Prime earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination, and he continued voicing Optimus in video games and other projects well into his eighties.
His family said in a statement:
“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 asks that you honour his remarkable legacy by serving your communities and leading others with compassion, integrity and loyalty and always remember ‘be strong enough to be gentle.’”
Cullen was born in Montreal in July 1941 and trained at the National Theatre School of Canada. He is survived by his children Angus, Claire, Pilar and Clay. If you want to watch the films again, our guide to the Transformers movies in chronological order has you covered.
“I did something in my life that stood out, and I’m really grateful for that. Humbled by it.”
Peter Cullen
Who was Peter Cullen?
Peter Cullen was a Canadian voice actor best known as Optimus Prime in the Transformers animated series and live-action films. He also voiced Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh for decades, and his 200-plus credits included Knight Rider, Predator and Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers.
What caused Peter Cullen’s death?
No cause of death has been announced. His family said he passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family.
Did anyone else voice Optimus Prime?
Chris Hemsworth voiced a younger Optimus Prime in the 2024 animated film Transformers One. Peter Cullen voiced the character in the original 1984 series and all seven live-action films.
