Transformers Voice Actor Peter Cullen Dies at 85
Cullen's death removes the defining voice of Optimus Prime, a role he held across animated series, films, and the live-action Transformers movies.
Reporting from 1 source: Anime News Network.
Peter Cullen, the voice actor best known as Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise, died on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, according to his agent. He was 85. Cullen also voiced characters in Voltron, Winnie the Pooh, Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers, and the narrator in the anime IGPX.
Peter Cullen's family confirmed his death to TMZ, saying he passed away peacefully surrounded by family. They asked fans to honor his legacy by leading with compassion and remembering his words: 'be strong enough to be gentle.'
Cullen was born in Montreal, Quebec in 1941. He voiced Optimus Prime across the Transformers franchise, including the original series, Transformers Prime, and Michael Bay's live-action films. He also announced for Toonami, narrated the anime IGPX, and voiced Mario in Donkey Kong cartoons, Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, and Monterey Jack in Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- Anime News Network News Transformers' Optimus Prime Voice Actor Peter Cullen Dies at 85