Peter Cullen family: What we know about Optimus Prime voice actor's wife and kids amid death at 85

Peter Cullen, the renowned voice actor behind Optimus Prime, has passed away at the age of 85. The cause of his death has not been disclosed, but it was reported by his agent to TMZ. Cullen's family confirmed his peaceful passing, surrounded by his loved ones. In their statement, they emphasized his legacy and urged fans to remember him through values of compassion, integrity, and loyalty.

One such value was "Be strong enough to be gentle," which had a personal meaning for Cullen. His brother Larry gave him this advice during their audition process for the role of Optimus Prime in 1984. Cullen's family also disclosed that he was married to Brandi Cullen, although this information is not officially confirmed by the family or any source.

Cullen had four children - Clay, Angus, Claire, and Pilar - and three grandchildren. He also had three siblings: Michaela, Sonny, and Larry. Larry's influence on Cullen's career was significant, as he inspired the voice of Optimus Prime based on his own Marine veteran experiences. Cullen first voiced Optimus Prime in the 1980s animated TV series and later reprised the role in the live-action "Transformers" movies.

Beyond Optimus Prime, Cullen voiced numerous other characters across movies and television, including the Predator in "Predator" and Eeyore in "Winnie the Pooh." His career spanned several decades and included a diverse range of characters, from Mario in "Donkey Kong" to KARR in "Knight Rider."