This has been an incredibly sad week.
After losing legends like Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, fans are now mourning another beloved voice — Peter Cullen, best known as Optimus Prime in Transformers and Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh. He has died at 85.
Cullen passed away peacefully Wednesday at his Los Angeles home, surrounded by family. His cause of death has not been revealed.
For generations of fans, Cullen’s unmistakable voice was Optimus Prime. He first voiced the heroic Autobot leader in the 1980s and continued the role for decades, including the live-action films beginning in 2007.
But his legacy went far beyond Optimus. He also voiced Eeyore, Monterey Jack, KARR, Mario, and provided the creature’s terrifying sounds in Predator.
Cullen once said his brother Larry, a Vietnam veteran, inspired Optimus Prime’s personality and the belief that a hero should be “strong enough to be gentle.”
For millions, Peter Cullen wasn’t just a voice actor. He was a part of childhood.
Rest in peace, Peter Cullen.