Peter Cullen Dies: Voice Of Optimus Prime In ‘Transformers’ Was 85

Peter Cullen, the Canadian voice actor who voiced Optimus Prime in the original 1980s Transformers animated series, later reprised the role in the film and TV franchises, voiced Eeyore in the Winnie the Pooh franchise and was the announcer for the Smothers Brothers TV show, among scores of others, has died. He was 85. His agent told Deadline that Cullen died Wednesday in Los Angeles but did not provide a cause of death. “Peter Cullen passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family – and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide,” according to a family statement provided to TMZ . “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 racked up more than 200 credits during a career that spanned more than 60 years. Along with his Transformers and Winnie the Pooh work, Cullen lent his voice to the toon series The Smurfs, DuckTales, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, Ghostbusters, Voltron: Defender of the Universe, Alvin & the Chipmunks, Donkey Kong, Heathcliff & the Cadillac Cats, Dragon’s Lair, The Addams Family, Dungeons & Dragons, Gummi Bears, Rainbow Brite, Saber Rider and the Star Aheriffs, BraveStarr, The Savage Dragon, Widget, the World Watcher, the early-’80s Spider-Man, multiple G.I. Joe iterations and dozens more. Born on July 28, 1941, in Montreal, MORE TO COME…