Peter Cullen cause of death: What happened to the voice actor behind Optimus Prime and Winnie-the-Pooh?

Peter Cullen, the renowned voice actor best known for bringing Optimus Prime to life in the "Transformers" franchise, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 85. His family released a statement to TMZ, expressing that the beloved actor had peacefully passed away in the company of his family, cherished by friends and countless fans around the globe.

They requested that the community honor Cullen's remarkable legacy by extending compassion, integrity, and loyalty, while always remembering to "be strong enough to be gentle." The exact cause of death had not been determined at the time of reporting.

Born in Montreal in 1941, Cullen had a prolific career in voice acting, but his work as Optimus Prime made him a household name. He first portrayed the Autobot leader in the animated series that debuted in 1984, and continued voicing the character across numerous animated projects. Cullen returned to the role in 2007 for Michael Bay's live-action film, and continued to voice Optimus Prime until his final appearance in 2024 on Fox's competition series "The Masked Singer."

Cullen's contributions to the entertainment industry extended far beyond "Transformers." He provided voices for characters such as The Predator in "Predator," Eeyore in various "Winnie the Pooh" projects, Thaedus in "Invincible," Captain Flint in "Treasure Planet," and numerous others. Disney enthusiasts may also recall Cullen's work as the voice of Captain Flint in "Treasure Planet," as well as various roles in the original "DuckTales" and Monterey Jack in "Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers."

In 2023, Cullen received a Lifetime Achievement award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) at the 2nd Annual Children's & Family Emmy Awards, jokingly commenting, "They may not have had the right Cullen."

Despite the tragic loss, Cullen's lasting impact on popular culture remains undeniable.