Peter Cullen, the celebrated voice actor best known for bringing Optimus Prime from Transformers and Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh to life, has died at the age of 85.

Cullen died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, his agent Kevin Motley confirmed to ABC News on Thursday. No cause of death was disclosed.

A Voice That Defined Generations

Cullen leaves behind a career spanning several decades and more than 200 acting credits. His deep, distinctive voice became closely associated with some of the most recognizable animated characters in popular culture.

Beyond Optimus Prime and Eeyore, Cullen lent his voice to characters across several television series and films. His credits included work on Knight Rider and Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers. He also provided vocal effects for the 1987 science fiction action film Predator.

His career in entertainment began in a different role. In the 1970s, Cullen worked as the announcer on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, an opportunity that helped open the door to acting.

From a Canadian Farm to Voice Acting

Cullen was born in Canada and discovered his talent for voices at a young age. In a 2014 interview with NPR, he recalled growing up on a farm and realizing that he could attract the attention of animals with his voice.

He remembered making a loud sound inside a dairy barn while working with his brother, Larry. The cows immediately looked toward him, an experience Cullen later described as one of his earliest signs that he had a special ability with voices.

That childhood fascination eventually developed into a professional career built around impersonations, character voices and comedy. Cullen said in a 2023 interview that his ability to imitate animals and people helped lead him into comedy, first in Canada and later in Los Angeles.

Optimus Prime Became His Signature Role

For millions of fans, Cullen’s most recognizable performance was Optimus Prime, the courageous leader of the Autobots in Transformers. His powerful yet measured delivery became one of the defining elements of the character.

While Optimus Prime remained his most famous role, Cullen also held a special place for Eeyore, the gloomy but lovable donkey from Winnie the Pooh. He described Eeyore as his second favorite role after Optimus Prime.

Cullen particularly enjoyed the response he received from children when he performed Eeyore’s voice in person. He recalled seeing young fans brighten when they recognized the familiar character, describing those moments as one of the great joys of his career.

A Legacy Built on Persistence

Cullen’s career was not limited to one franchise or one type of performance. His work across television, animation and film demonstrated the range of his voice acting, from heroic characters to comic performances and animal voices.

His advice to young people also reflected the approach he took toward his own career. Cullen encouraged people to identify something they were good at or genuinely wanted to pursue and continue working at it.

He compared developing a skill to exercising a muscle, saying that consistent effort makes it stronger. He also encouraged young people to follow work they truly love, believing that passion can make a career feel less like work.

Remembering Peter Cullen

Cullen’s family said he died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones. In a statement, they asked people to honor his legacy by serving their communities and leading others with compassion, integrity and loyalty.

They also highlighted a message that reflected the values associated with Cullen’s most enduring work: to be strong enough to be gentle.

With his performances as Optimus Prime and Eeyore, Cullen gave audiences two remarkably different characters that became inseparable from his voice. His work across generations ensured that his distinctive performances would remain familiar to fans of animation, television and film around the world.

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