Peter Cullen, the actor whose voice brought Optimus Prime to life for generations of Transformers fans, has died at 85.

His agent confirmed that Cullen died Wednesday, August 26, at his home in Los Angeles. A cause of death has not been announced.

The news marks the loss of a voice familiar to children and parents alike:

The Hollywood Reporter received confirmation from Cullen’s agent, Kevin Motley, along with a statement from his family. His relatives said he died peacefully with family around him and asked those who loved his work to remember him through service to their communities and leadership grounded in compassion, integrity and loyalty.

Cullen first voiced Optimus Prime in the animated series that began in 1984, giving the Autobots’ leader the calm authority that became his signature. When Michael Bay brought Transformers to live-action theaters in 2007, Cullen returned to the role that had made him part of so many childhoods.

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The inspiration for that voice was deeply personal: his older brother Larry, a decorated Marine who served in Vietnam. Cullen had described watching and listening to his brother after he came home, then drawing on that example when he finally had the chance to play a superhero.

For anyone who remembers the original animated movie, Optimus Prime’s final scene still carries a sting. This clip from the 1986 film captures the performance fans are remembering today:

TheWrap spoke with producer Don Murphy, who recalled that people working on the 2007 movie pushed for Cullen’s return because his voice connected the new film to the original animated series. That connection let audiences hear the same Optimus Prime even as the franchise moved from television animation to a much larger live-action production.

The outlet also heard from Transformers: War for Cybertron showrunner FJ DeSanto, who remembered Cullen’s understanding of what the role meant to fans across generations. He described an actor who took that responsibility seriously and committed himself fully to each performance.

Cullen’s career stretched well beyond the Autobots, with roles including Eeyore, Monterey Jack in Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, and Thaedus in Invincible. He also supplied vocal effects for Predator, an extraordinary contrast to the gentle, gloomy donkey so many children knew.

In 2023, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences honored him with a Lifetime Achievement award at the Children’s & Family Emmys.

His work as Eeyore gave another generation a very different reason to recognize that voice:

Few performers leave behind characters that parents can introduce to their children with the same affection they felt growing up. Cullen did that across decades.

His family’s request offers a fitting way to remember him: “be strong enough to be gentle.”

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