Voice actor Peter Cullen, known for his iconic roles as Eeyore in “Winnie the Pooh” and Optimus Prime in the “Transformers” series, has passed away at the age of 85. His agent, Kevin Motley, confirmed his death at his residence in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Originally from Montreal, Cullen began his career on radio at CKGM before transitioning to television as the announcer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” on CBS between 1967 and 1969. He lent his voice to the giant ape in the 1976 remake of “King Kong” and provided the menacing sounds for the creature in the 1987 film “Predator.”

Fans of the 1988-91 series “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” may recognize Cullen as the voice of Eeyore, a role he continued in various productions, including the 2002 film “Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year.” However, his most prominent role was as Optimus Prime, the talking truck transformer, which he portrayed from the early ’80s.

In 1986, there was a significant outcry from fans when Optimus Prime met his demise in a battle with Megatron in “The Transformers: The Movie.” The character was later revived in 1987’s “The Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime.” Director Michael Bay brought Cullen back to voice Optimus Prime in the 2007 film “Transformers,” featuring Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, and Josh Duhamel.

During the Calgary Comic Expo in 2015, Cullen shared that his brother Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine, inspired the voice of Optimus Prime by defining a real hero as “strong enough to be gentle.” In a statement announcing Cullen’s passing, his family highlighted this sentiment, urging fans to honor his legacy by embodying compassion, integrity, and loyalty.

Peter Cullen’s family expressed that he will be remembered fondly by many friends and fans worldwide for his contributions to the entertainment industry.