Canadian voice actor Peter Cullen, best known for voicing Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise, has died at the age of 85.
Cullen died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by his family, according to TMZ, who broke the news.
“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 shared with the outlet.
The family asked fans to honour his legacy by serving their communities and leading others with compassion, integrity, and loyalty, while remembering his words, “Be strong enough to be gentle.”
Born in Montreal, Quebec, in 1941, Cullen built a career spanning more than four decades across television, film and video games.
He first voiced Optimus Prime in the original 1980s animated Transformers series.
His portrayal of the Autobot leader was inspired by his brother, a US Marine Corps officer.
Cullen went on to voice Optimus Prime in numerous animated series, video games and Michael Bay’s live-action Transformers films, beginning with the 2007 blockbuster.
Reflecting on the character’s lasting impact in a past interview, Cullen said being part of Transformers had become a significant part of his life.
“The phenomenon of Transformers itself is mind-shaking,” he said at the time. “Being a part of it is not only historical, it’s a part of your life that says, ‘Gee, I’m glad.’ I did something in my life that stood out, and I’m really grateful for that. Humbled by it.”
Beyond Transformers, Cullen voiced several other popular characters, including Eeyore in Disney’s Winnie the Pooh projects and Monterey Jack in Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers.
He also provided the vocal sounds for the titular creature in the 1987 sci-fi film Predator.
In 2023, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences honoured Cullen with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to entertainment.
Cullen is survived by his four children, Clay, Angus, Claire, and Pilar, as well as three grandchildren.