Peter Cullen, known for voicing characters Optimus Prime and Eeyore, dead at 85

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Updated: 9:55 AM CDT Aug 27, 2026

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Sydney Hartman

Digital Curator

Canadian voice actor Peter Cullen, famous for voicing Optimus Prime in the "Transformers" franchise, has died, according to media reports. He was 85.

The actor died at his home in Los Angeles, according to reports. His cause of death is not known at this time.

Cullen is also known for voicing Eeyore in the "Winnie the Pooh" franchise, Predator in the 1987 "Predator" movie, Monterey Jack from the 2022 film "Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers," and KARR, the evil prototype and predecessor to K.I.T.T in the classic 1980s TV series "Knight Rider."

Peter Cullen attends the premiere of "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" at the Kings Theater on Monday, June 5, 2023, in New York.

Cullen was born on July 28, 1941, in Montreal, Québec, Canada.

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