Peter Cullen, the legendary voice actor behind Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise, has died at the age of 85.
His agent confirmed to TMZ that Cullen passed away on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
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In a statement, Cullen's family said: "Peter Cullen passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family - and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide."
The family also asked fans to honor his legacy by serving their communities and leading with compassion, integrity, and loyalty, adding: "Always remember 'be strong enough to be gentle.'"
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A Career Spanning Decades
Cullen first voiced Optimus Prime in the 1980s animated Transformers series and later reprised the role in Michael Bay's live-action films.
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He delivered an iconic speech as Optimus Prime in the final scene of the first Transformers movie.
Beyond Transformers, Cullen voiced the Predator in the 1987 film Predator, Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, Monterey Jack in Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, and KARR in Knight Rider.
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He also voiced Mario in the original Donkey Kong animated series in the 1980s.
