Optimus Prime Voice Actor Peter Cullen Passes Away

Veteran Canadian voice actor Peter Cullen, globally renowned for voicing Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise, has died at age 85.

Cullen passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family members, according to an official statement issued by his family.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Cullen achieved international acclaim in 1984 when he was cast as the voice of Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots, in the original Transformers animated television series.

He reprised the iconic role across multiple media, including director Michael Bay’s 2007 live-action film adaptations.

Beyond the Transformers franchise, Cullen’s career spanned several decades. He voiced Eeyore in Disney’s Winnie the Pooh productions, provided the voice for K.A.R.R. in Knight Rider, and created the vocal effects for the title creature in the 1987 film Predator.

His family described him as a compassionate professional whose voice work influenced generations of cinema and television audiences worldwide.

He is survived by his four children: Angus, Claire, Pilar, and Clay.