Peter Cullen, celebrated for his iconic portrayal of Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise, passed away at age 85 in his Los Angeles home. His agent confirmed his peaceful death surrounded by family, though no cause was disclosed. Cullen first became the voice of the heroic Autobot leader in the 1984 animated series and extended his role to Michael Bay’s live-action films, including the 2023 release Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. Cullen’s hard work and memorable voice made him a beloved figure in animation and entertainment.

Cullen’s career spanned over six decades and included more than 200 credits in film, television, and video games. Besides Optimus Prime, he voiced notable characters such as Eeyore in The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and created distinctive vocal sounds for movies like King Kong (1976), Gremlins (1984), and Predator (1987). His vocal talents ranged widely, earning him admiration for both heroic roles and unique sound effects. Cullen’s contributions to voice acting were recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2023.

His early career included announcer work on shows like The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. Cullen also voiced characters in popular animated series such as Spider-Man, Voltron, Dungeons & Dragons, G.I. Joe, Ghostbusters, Rambo, My Little Pony, and Chip ’n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers. In his later career, he continued performing, notably appearing as Thadeus in the Prime Video animated series Invincible from 2023 until his death in 2026.

Cullen is survived by his four children: Angus, Claire, Pilar, and Clay. His family requested that fans honor his legacy by embodying the values he promoted—compassion, integrity, and loyalty—and they shared his famous mantra: “be strong enough to be gentle.” As the voice behind one of the most enduring characters in pop culture, Peter Cullen’s work leaves a lasting impact on the entertainment industry and fans worldwide.