Overview
- Cullen died at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Aug. 26, his agent confirmed and his family released a statement that did not disclose a cause of death.
- He built his reputation as the authoritative voice of Optimus Prime starting with the 1984 animated series and he repeatedly reprised the role in animated shows, video games and the live-action films through 2023.
- Beyond Transformers, Cullen voiced Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh projects, created the Predator’s vocal effects in the 1987 film, and played roles in King Kong, Knight Rider and many other animated series.
- Survivors include his four children Angus, Claire, Pilar and Clay, and his family asked fans to honor his values with the line “be strong enough to be gentle.”
- Major outlets are publishing obituaries and tributes and no memorial plans or medical details have been announced, leaving public reaction and retrospective coverage of his six-decade career as the next major developments.