Peter Cullen, iconic voice of Optimus Prime in ‘Transformers,’ dies at 85

Peter Cullen, the renowned Canadian voice actor most famous for his iconic portrayal of Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise, has passed away at the age of 85. Cullen's voice brought the beloved Autobot leader to life in numerous films, television series, and video games over several decades. His family announced his death, stating that he had passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by his loved ones.

They asked fans to honor his legacy by serving their communities with compassion, integrity, and loyalty, while remembering his famous line, "be strong enough to be gentle."

Born in Montreal in 1941, Cullen became one of the most recognizable voices in animation. He first voiced Optimus Prime in the 1984-87 animated series The Transformers and returned to the character multiple times over the next four decades, including in the Michael Bay film franchise that began with Transformers in 2007. Cullen once admitted that he approached the role with little prior knowledge, auditioning as any other actor and not being aware of the character's specific traits. It was the role's inseparable connection to him, however, that truly defined his career.

When Optimus Prime was killed in Transformers: The Movie in 1986, Cullen's portrayal proved so integral to fans that the character was brought back alongside him soon after. When Transformers returned to theaters two decades later, Cullen effortlessly resumed the role, describing it as slipping back into familiar, comfortable shoes.

His performance in Transformers: Prime earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination. Beyond Transformers, Cullen's career was diverse, voicing characters such as Eeyore on Winnie the Pooh, King Kong in the 1976 remake, K.A.R.R. on Knight Rider, and numerous other beloved characters in shows like Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, Voltron, Saber Rider, and Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.