LEGENDARY VOICE OF OPTIMUS PRIME, PETER CULLEN, DIES AT 85
Peter Cullen, the iconic voice actor universally beloved for bringing Optimus Prime to life in the “Transformers” franchise, has passed away at the age of 85.
Cullen died on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by his family. A specific cause of death has not been revealed.
“His family asks that you honor his remarkable legacy by serving your communities and leading others with compassion, integrity, and loyalty and always remember ‘be strong enough to be gentle,'” his family shared in a statement.
Cullen defined generations of childhoods, originating the voice of the noble Autobot leader in the 1980s animated series and triumphantly returning for the live-action blockbuster films starting in 2007. Beyond Transformers, his legendary voice brought warmth to beloved characters including Eeyore in the “Winnie the Pooh” franchise, Monterey Jack in “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers,” the terrifying Predator creature in 1987, and KARR in “Knight Rider.”
In 2010, Hasbro inducted Cullen into the Transformers Hall of Fame as one of its very first human honorees.
He is survived by his four children and three grandchildren.
