Peter Cullen, the Canadian actor whose commanding voice brought life to Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise, has died at age 85.
His family announced that Cullen died at home in Los Angeles on August 26, 2026, surrounded by relatives.
“Peter Cullen passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide,” the statement said. “His family asks that you honour his remarkable legacy by serving your communities and leading others with compassion, integrity, and loyalty, and always remember ‘be strong enough to be gentle.’”
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Peter Cullen began his career in Canadian television and radio before moving into voice acting. He worked as an announcer on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in the late 1960s and appeared in comedy sketches with Sonny & Cher. He later voiced characters in The Smurfs and multiple G.I. Joe animated series.
His defining role came in 1984 when he voiced Optimus Prime in the Transformers animated series, a performance inspired by his brother, a Marine veteran. Cullen reprised the role in seven live‑action Transformers films between 2007 and 2023, as well as in spin‑offs and video games.
Beyond Transformers, Peter Cullen voiced Eeyore in The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and related productions. His other credits included KARR in Knight Rider, the Predator’s vocalizations in the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film, and the roars of King Kong in the 1976 remake.
Prior to his demise, Peter Cullen added another iconic leader to his résumé by voicing Thaedus in Amazon Prime’s superhero series Invincible. Cullen’s deep, authoritative delivery gave the character moral weight that resonated with fans.
He is survived by his four children, Angus, Claire, Pilar and Clay.