Optimus Prime voice actor Peter Cullen dies at 85

Peter Cullen, the voice actor whose gravelly baritone gave life to Optimus Prime across four decades of “Transformers” films, television series and video games, died Wednesday at his Los Angeles home, his family announced. He was 85.

Mr. Cullen’s death was confirmed to TMZ, which first reported the news. The cause of death was not disclosed. 

“Peter Cullen passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family — and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide,” his family said in a statement carried by TMZ. “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.’” 

Born in Montreal in 1941, Mr. Cullen first originated the role of Optimus Prime in the animated series that debuted in 1984. He went on to voice the character across multiple animated projects and returned to the role in 2007 for Michael Bay’s live-action film, cementing his status as the definitive voice of the Autobot leader for generations of fans.

Mr. Cullen’s career stretched well beyond the “Transformers” franchise. He also provided the Predator’s vocalizations in the 1987 film “Predator,” voiced Eeyore in numerous “Winnie the Pooh” projects, and voiced Thaedus in “Invincible.” Earlier in his career, he voiced King Kong in the 1976 remake of the film and the villainous vehicle K.A.R.R. on “Knight Rider” in 1982, a role he reprised in 2009. 

He was also known to a generation of Disney fans as Monterey Jack in “Chip ’n Dale Rescue Rangers” and for voicing Mario in the original animated “Donkey Kong” series in the 1980s, according to TMZ.

Mr. Cullen’s final appearance as Optimus Prime came in 2024, when he appeared as the character on an episode of Fox’s “The Masked Singer.”