The cause of Peter Cullen’s death has not been revealed. His agent confirmed his death to TMZ, but no further details about his health or the circumstances of his death were immediately available. Peter Cullen, the legendary voice of Optimus Prime, has died at the age of 85.
Cullen died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, according to his agent.
Peter Cullen had four children: Clay, Angus, Claire and Pilar. Cullen also had three siblings: Michaela, Sonny and Larry. His brother Larry played an important role in Cullen’s career and helped inspire the voice of Optimus Prime. His return allowed fans of the original animated series to hear the same iconic voice in the blockbuster film franchise. But Optimus Prime was only one part of Cullen’s long voice-acting career. The character became another well-known part of Cullen’s voice work. Cullen voiced Monterey Jack in “Chip ’n Dale Rescue Rangers.
He also had three grandchildren, according to biographical information about the actor. Cullen first voiced Optimus Prime in the original 1980s “Transformers” animated TV series. Optimus Prime was the leader of the Autobots, the group of heroic robots at the centre of the franchise, according to TMZ. He later returned as Optimus Prime for the live-action “Transformers” movies directed by Michael Bay. He voiced many other famous characters across movies and television, according to TMZ. Cullen voiced the Predator in the 1987 film “Predator” and was also known for playing Eeyore in “Winnie the Pooh. He also provided the voice of KARR in the television series “Knight Rider”.
Cullen’s family said he died peacefully with his loved ones around him. “Peter Cullen passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family — and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide ,” the family said in a statement.
Peter Cullen career legacy
His career covered several generations of television, movies and animated characters. his work included a wide range of characters across different franchises While millions of fans knew him primarily as the voice of Optimus Prime. Peter Cullen, the legendary Hollywood voice actor who voiced characters like the Transformers series’ Optimus Prime and Eeyore in Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, among others, has passed away. That year, he made an appearance at the National Academy of Television, Arts & Sciences to receive his Lifetime Achievement Award.
Cullen was 85. Earlier reporting noted: Also read: Peter Cullen family: What we know about Optimus Prime voice actor’s wife and kids amid death at 85 Earlier reporting noted: Cullen’s health, nonetheless, has been a concern among his fans. He had been quite active in the Transformers fans circuits as well as professionally till 2023. But the first real signs of illness appeared starting 2024, reducing the number of public appearances Cullen made drastically.
Cullen’s work stretched back to the 1980s, including the original “Donkey Kong” animated series. Cullen even voiced Mario in that series, according to TMZ.
Earlier reporting noted: Peter Cullen cause of death: What happened to the voice actor behind Optimus Prime and Winnie-the-Pooh? His death was revealed to the media by his agent on Wednesday.
