Renowned Canadian voice actor Peter Cullen, known for lending his voice to iconic characters such as Eeyore in “Winnie the Pooh” and Optimus Prime in the “Transformers” series, has passed away. Cullen, aged 85, died at his residence in Los Angeles, as confirmed by his agent Kevin Motley to CBC News.
Originating from Montreal, Cullen initially showcased his talent on the radio, notably on CKGM, before transitioning to television as the announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” on CBS from 1967 to 1969. His diverse repertoire included providing the voice for the giant ape in the 1976 rendition of “King Kong” and creating the menacing sounds for the monster in the 1987 film “Predator.”
Fans, especially millennials, may recognize Cullen’s distinctive voice from his portrayal of Eeyore in “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” series from 1988 to 1991. He continued to voice Eeyore in various productions, including the 2002 film “Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year.” However, his most prominent role was as Optimus Prime, the talking truck transformer, a character he brought to life in the early ’80s.
Cullen’s portrayal of Optimus Prime was so beloved that his character’s demise in a battle with Megatron in “The Transformers: The Movie” in 1986 sparked significant fan outcry. The character was eventually resurrected in 1987 in “The Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime.” Despite a hiatus from the role, Cullen was rehired by director Michael Bay in 2007 for the film “Transformers,” sharing the screen with stars like Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox.
During the Calgary Comic Expo in 2015, Cullen shared the inspiration behind Optimus Prime’s voice, revealing that it was influenced by his brother Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine. Larry’s words about real heroism being “strong enough to be gentle” resonated with Cullen as he embarked on voicing the iconic character.
In light of his passing, Cullen’s family commemorated his legacy by urging fans to honor his memory through acts of compassion, integrity, and loyalty. They emphasized the importance of embodying strength through gentleness, a principle that Cullen cherished and exemplified throughout his illustrious career.