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Optimus Prime and Eeyore voice actor Peter Cullen dies

Cullen voiced the heroic Optimus Prime in the Transformers TV series and then the Hollywood films.

Optimus Prime and Eeyore voice actor Peter Cullen dies

Renowned voice actor Peter Cullen has passed away at the age of 85. Cullen lent his powerful deep voice to iconic characters such as Optimus Prime in Transformers and Eeyore in Disney's Winnie the Pooh. He originated the role of Optimus Prime for the 1984 TV series and returned for a series of films and spin-offs up until 2023. Cullen also voiced the villain KARR from Knight Rider and the fearsome Predator in Arnold Schwarzenegger's 1987 film.

His dedication to voice acting began on Canadian TV and radio before he focused solely on this craft. Inspired by his veteran brother, Cullen's Optimus Prime portrayal emphasized strength and gentleness. He received recognition for his work with a Daytime Emmy nomination and a lifetime achievement award. Cullen's family requests that his legacy be honored through acts of compassion, integrity, and loyalty, urging others to be strong yet gentle.

Written by urgent.news from BBC World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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