Veteran voice actor Peter Cullen, best known as the iconic voice of Optimus Prime in "Transformers," passed away on Wednesday at the age of 85. His agent, Kevin Motley, confirmed the news.
A statement from Cullen's family indicated that he died peacefully at his Los Angeles home, surrounded by loved ones. They expressed gratitude for the support from his friends and global fanbase over the years. The family also requested that he be remembered through acts of community service, empathy, integrity, and loyalty, and by always recalling his signature phrase: "Strong enough to be gentle."
Throughout his career, Cullen lent his voice to hundreds of animated productions, films, and video games, but his portrayal of Optimus Prime remains his most iconic role. He first brought the Autobot leader to life with his deep, steady, and authoritative voice in the 1980s animated series "The Transformers," and continued to reprise the role across various generations of "Transformers" animated shows, movies, and video games.
Beyond Optimus Prime, Cullen also voiced Eeyore in several "Winnie-the-Pooh" productions. His decades-spanning voice acting career cemented his voice as an integral part of global fans' collective memory.
via： THR