Peter Cullen, Optimus Prime in Transformers, Dies at 85
Peter Cullen, the voice of Optimus Prime in Transformers and countless other roles, has died at 85.
The legendary TV and movie voice actor passed away at his home Wednesday, August 26, his family and agent confirmed to TMZ. Additional details regarding his death have not been announced at this time.
A Canada-born actor since the '60s with decades of voice and on-camera work, Cullen has a long history of bringing his strong-and-gentle talents to movies and TV, but his most famous work is easily his role as Autobot leader and Transformers hero Optimus Prime. The character has remained one of the prevailing fictional figures of the '80s, thanks in no small part to the part Cullen played in bringing him to life.
Cullen first played Optimus Prime for the original Transformers series and returned to bring his iconic delivery to the world of Cybertron in countless sequels, spinoffs, and adaptations in the decades that followed. You may have missed him in the first Transformers movie or the War for Cybertron video game that released in 2010, for example, but there's still a good chance you caught Cullen returning to the Autobots for live-action Transformers movies like 2023's Rise of the Beasts or 2017's The Last Knight.
Cullen was an icon in the voice acting world, and there's no question that his role as Optimus Prime will stand the test of time, but his credits extend far beyond a universe of transforming alien semi-trucks. The actor also notably brought his low-register delivery to Disney classics as Winnie the Pooh's pessimistic donkey friend, Eeyore. He also chipped into the Predator universe as its first Predator and even played a role in 1976's King Kong.
Knight Rider, Spider-Man, Voltron, My Little Pony, G.I. Joe, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; the list goes on. TV fans most recently would have caught him as Thaedus in Invincible, but his contributions to entertainment will not be forgotten anytime soon.
"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. "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.'"
Cullen's voice rings in the minds of fans everywhere, so it should come as no surprise to see many of his followers already taking to social media to share their favorite moments from his career. You can see how some are paying their respects below.
“Be Strong enough to be gentle.” Peter Cullen tells the story of how his brother inspired the voice he would use to play Optimus Prime. It’s a simple yet poignant quote that sums up why Optimus and Peter are so beloved. Til All Are One. 💔 pic.twitter.com/xHxtdBx98W— Chris DeRose (ScratchyDerose.bsky.social) (@ScratchyDerose) August 27, 2026
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“Be Strong enough to be gentle.” Peter Cullen tells the story of how his brother inspired the voice he would use to play Optimus Prime. It’s a simple yet poignant quote that sums up why Optimus and Peter are so beloved. Til All Are One. 💔 pic.twitter.com/xHxtdBx98W
Peter Cullen used to cut promos for Toonami back in the day. The promo he did for Rurouni Kenshin got me so hype. pic.twitter.com/9BTFXCUGss— 🤘🏾 (@newjack5000) August 27, 2026
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Peter Cullen used to cut promos for Toonami back in the day. The promo he did for Rurouni Kenshin got me so hype. pic.twitter.com/9BTFXCUGss
rest in peace peter cullenthank you for my childhood 🖤 pic.twitter.com/f1WefufA5k— h. (@6ixImmortal) August 27, 2026
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rest in peace peter cullenthank you for my childhood 🖤 pic.twitter.com/f1WefufA5k
Optimus Prime: "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings."Rest in Peace, Peter Cullen. pic.twitter.com/rUJ4H4Hz4l— Blaze Binges (@BlazeBinges) August 27, 2026
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Optimus Prime: "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings."Rest in Peace, Peter Cullen. pic.twitter.com/rUJ4H4Hz4l
Peter Cullen was the sole voice that was responsible for generating hype for anime coming to the west. RIP Legend https://t.co/7pN2VgNXfr pic.twitter.com/YhYRY0Ne3t— kate bush’s husband (@airbagg3d) August 27, 2026
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Peter Cullen was the sole voice that was responsible for generating hype for anime coming to the west. RIP Legend https://t.co/7pN2VgNXfr pic.twitter.com/YhYRY0Ne3t
"if I'm going out, I'm gonna go out big!"Thanks for the memories, Peter Cullen! pic.twitter.com/gq1f7VFhmG— crazy ass moments in Transformers history (@TF_Moments) August 27, 2026
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"if I'm going out, I'm gonna go out big!"Thanks for the memories, Peter Cullen! pic.twitter.com/gq1f7VFhmG
I'm actually shaking and crying and I'm really not ok.The only other time I've cried for someone passing was my dad, I don't know what to think right now.This is a sad day for the fandom, I hope his family knows that he was a role model for millions upon millions of people. https://t.co/36iGfXS0V1— TFHypeGuy (@TFHypeGuy) August 27, 2026
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I'm actually shaking and crying and I'm really not ok.The only other time I've cried for someone passing was my dad, I don't know what to think right now.This is a sad day for the fandom, I hope his family knows that he was a role model for millions upon millions of people. https://t.co/36iGfXS0V1
What a damned week.I became friends with Peter a couple of years back. A prime example of a Canadian adventurer, storyteller, and a colossal, optimal talent.No one better to chat over whiskies with.#LoveYouPeterCullen https://t.co/vjHodq11ix— David Hayter (@DavidBHayter) August 27, 2026
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What a damned week.I became friends with Peter a couple of years back. A prime example of a Canadian adventurer, storyteller, and a colossal, optimal talent.No one better to chat over whiskies with.#LoveYouPeterCullen https://t.co/vjHodq11ix
Image credit: David Livingston/Getty Images
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).