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Some voices don't just narrate childhoods. They anchor them.

Peter Cullen was one of those voices. He gave life to Optimus Prime in "Transformers." He gave a gentle sadness to Eeyore in "Winnie the Pooh." Now, at age 85, that voice has gone quiet for good.

A Legacy Built Across Decades

Cullen, a Canadian actor, first stepped into the Optimus Prime role in 1984. That was for the original "Transformers" TV series.

He didn't stop there. He returned for seven Hollywood films between 2007 and 2023. He also voiced the character across various spin-offs.

Around the same era, he took on a very different role. He voiced the melancholy donkey Eeyore, starting in the late 1980s with "The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh." He kept playing Eeyore across numerous shows, films and games that followed.

A Career of Memorable Voices

Cullen's range went far beyond two characters. He voiced KARR, the villainous counterpart to KITT, on "Knight Rider."

He gave voice to the clicking, guttural sounds of the Predator in Arnold Schwarzenegger's 1987 film. He even provided the roars for King Kong back in 1976.

How He Died

Cullen died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. A family statement confirmed the news.

"Peter Cullen passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family — and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide," the statement said.

His family made one final request. They asked fans to honor his legacy through action. "His family asks that you honour his remarkable legacy by serving your communities and leading others with compassion, integrity, and loyalty and always remember 'be strong enough to be gentle,'" the statement added.

From Radio to Legendary Voice Work

Cullen's career didn't start with robots or cartoon donkeys. It started on Canadian TV and radio.

He later became a regular presence on programs like "The Sonny & Cher Show." Eventually, he shifted his focus entirely. He decided to concentrate on voice acting instead.

His Brother's Advice Shaped a Legend

Optimus Prime's voice didn't come from nowhere. It came from Cullen's own family.

His older brother was a decorated U.S. Marine. He was also a Vietnam War veteran. That brother gave Cullen a simple but powerful note on how to play the character.

He told Cullen to make Optimus "a real hero, don't be a Hollywood hero." His exact words stuck with Cullen for decades.

"He said, 'Don't go yelling and screaming. He's strong enough to be gentle,'" Cullen once recalled. "And that resonated with me, and I could hear his voice all the way to the audition. When he drops down, when he gets serious, is where I found Optimus Prime."

The bond ran deeper than inspiration alone. Cullen gave his brother a share of his Optimus Prime wages. He kept doing that until his brother's death.

Recognition and Awards

Cullen's work as Optimus Prime didn't go unnoticed by the industry. It earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2011, for outstanding performer in an animated program.

More recognition followed years later. In 2023, he received a lifetime achievement award at the Children's & Family Emmy Awards.

A Career Full of Familiar Faces

Optimus Prime and Eeyore were far from Cullen's only roles. He also voiced Monterey Jack in "Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers."

Throughout the 1980s and '90s, his voice populated some of the era's most beloved animated series. That list includes "Spider-Man," "Donkey Kong," "Alvin & the Chipmunks," "Dungeons & Dragons," "My Little Pony," "DuckTales" and "Gummi Bears."