Peter Cullen, the iconic voice actor who became inseparably linked to the Transformers franchise through his unforgettable portrayal of Optimus Prime, has passed away at the age of 85. Cullen lent his legendary voice to the beloved Autobot leader across both the animated television series and the blockbuster film franchise.
Read also: Brad Pitt returns as Cliff Booth — here’s the title of the “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” sequel
Cause of death remains unclear
The news of Peter Cullen’s passing was confirmed by his agent in a statement to TMZ, who noted that the cause of death has not yet been determined. “Peter passed away on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. The cause of death is unclear,” the agent said.
Cullen’s family also released a statement to TMZ. “Peter Cullen passed away peacefully, surrounded by his beloved family — and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans around the world. His family asks that you honor his remarkable legacy by serving your communities and guiding others with compassion, integrity, and dedication — and to always remember to be strong enough to be kind.”
Cullen’s timeless connection to Optimus Prime
Peter Cullen’s iconic association with Optimus Prime began in the 1980s, when he first voiced the leader of the Autobots in the original Transformers animated television series. He later reprised the role in Michael Bay’s live-action film series, delivering one of cinema’s most memorable closing speeches as Optimus Prime in the final scene of the first Transformers film.
Beyond Transformers, Peter Cullen had an extraordinary career voicing some of the most beloved characters in animation and film history. He is perhaps also remembered for playing the Predator in the 1987 film Predator, Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, Monterey Jack in Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, KARR in Knight Rider, and the voice of Mario in the classic 1980s animated series Donkey Kong.
