Peter Cullen, prolific voice actor who gave Optimus Prime his authoritative baritone, has died

Peter Cullen, a celebrated voice actor responsible for voicing Optimus Prime in the 1984 TV series "Transformers," has passed away at the age of 85. Cullen's authoritative baritone brought depth and character to the iconic Autobot leader, a role he reprised throughout a multibillion-dollar live-action film franchise launched in 2007 by Michael Bay.

Cullen's career spanned from his early days as an announcer on "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" to his roles in "The Smurfs," "The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh," and multiple G.I. Joe iterations.

His agent, Kevin Motley, shared that Cullen died on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. In a statement, his family asked that people honor his legacy by serving their communities and leading with compassion, integrity, and loyalty. The family also encouraged remembering the importance of being "strong enough to be gentle."

Cullen's deep connection to Optimus Prime stemmed from his admiration for his older brother, who served in the Vietnam War. Cullen's portrayal of the heroic Autobot leader can be heard in films such as "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," "Dark of the Moon," "Age of Extinction," "The Last Knight," "Bumblebee," and "Rise of the Beasts."

His thoughtful lines, such as "I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message to any surviving Autobots..." and "Fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing," have resonated with audiences for decades.

The Winnipeg Police Service is ending its practice of allowing officers to use overtime shifts to provide additional security in stores and supermarkets at retailers' expense. Cullen is survived by his four children: Angus, Claire, Pilar, and Clay.