Peter Cullen, the Canadian voice actor known for his iconic portrayals of Optimus Prime and Eeyore, has died at the age of 85 — Cullen passed away on October 26 at his home in Los Angeles, California, according to reports from ABC News and international outlets.

Early Career and Breakthrough

Cullen was born in 1941 in Montreal, Canada, and began his career as a radio announcer. His first major break came in the 1970s when he served as the announcer on ‘The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour,’ as reported by ABC News. He later moved to Hollywood in 1967 to pursue acting and voice work. Over the course of his career, Cullen amassed over 200 acting credits, spanning animated films, television shows, and commercials.

Legendary Roles and Career Highlights

Cullen is best known for his work on the ‘Transformers’ franchise, where he voiced Optimus Prime from 1984 to 1987 in the animated series and continued in later films and shows. He also brought to life the somber character Eeyore in Disney’s ‘Winnie the Pooh’ series. In a 2014 interview with NPR, Cullen said his second favorite role after Optimus Prime was Eeyore, whom he described as ‘simply charming.’

Cullen’s voice acting career extended beyond these major roles. He provided vocal effects for the 1987 film ‘Predator,’ voiced characters in ‘Knight Rider’ and ‘Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers,’ and continued to work in animation and television through the decades. His talent for impersonations and character voices began in childhood, when he discovered that his voice could command attention—particularly from dairy cows on the family farm.

Legacy and Personal Reflections

In a 2023 interview, Cullen reflected on how his impersonations grew into a career in comedy, first in Canada and then in Los Angeles. He once said that one of his earliest memories of using his voice was as an 8-year-old on a farm, where he ‘made a loud noise and all the cows looked up to me.’ Cullen believed in the power of perseverance, advising young people to find something they are good at and stick with it.

Cullen’s family announced that he passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones. ‘He will be forever remembered in the hearts of countless friends and fans around the world,’ the family said. His passing marks the end of an era for fans of animation and voice acting who grew up with his legendary performances.