Peter Cullen, the voice of Optimus Prime, has died at 85

Agent Kevin Motley confirmed to Variety, BBC News and ABC News that Peter Cullen died on 26 August 2026 at his home in Los Angeles. No cause was disclosed. His family said he died peacefully, surrounded by family, and asked that people remember the line he tied to Optimus Prime: “be strong enough to be gentle.” Cullen originated the Autobot leader in the 1980s Transformers series, returned for the live-action films from 2007, and also voiced Eeyore in Disney’s Winnie-the-Pooh animation. BBC notes a 2011 Daytime Emmy nomination and a 2023 Children’s & Family Emmy lifetime achievement award. Variety says he is survived by four children, Angus, Claire, Pilar and Clay.

From BBC News. Read the original