Renowned Canadian voice actor Peter Cullen, known for his iconic roles as Eeyore in “Winnie the Pooh” and Optimus Prime in the “Transformers” series, has passed away at the age of 85. His agent, Kevin Motley, confirmed the sad news, stating that Cullen died at his residence in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Originally from Montreal, Cullen began his career in radio at CKGM before transitioning to television as the announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” on CBS from 1967 to 1969. He lent his voice to various characters over the years, such as the giant ape in the 1976 remake of “King Kong” and the monster in the 1987 film “Predator.”

Fans of the 1988-91 series “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” may recognize Cullen as the voice of Eeyore. He reprised the role in the 2002 film “Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year” and in subsequent shows and videos. However, his most significant role was voicing Optimus Prime, the heroic leader of the Autobots, starting in the early ’80s.

In a memorable moment shared at the Calgary Comic Expo in 2015, Cullen revealed that his brother Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine, inspired his portrayal of Optimus Prime. Larry’s belief that true heroism is being “strong enough to be gentle” resonated with Cullen and influenced his performance.

Cullen’s family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support and encouraged fans to honor his legacy by embodying qualities such as compassion, integrity, and loyalty. They fondly remembered Cullen as someone who exemplified strength through gentleness.