That contrast may be one of Cullen’s greatest gifts. He could give a larger-than-life hero a sense of humanity while giving a gloomy little donkey a surprising amount of emotional depth.
And that is why news of his passing has resonated so strongly.
Fans are remembering where they were when they first heard Optimus Prime speak. Others are recalling childhood afternoons spent watching Winnie-the-Pooh and hearing Eeyore’s familiar voice. For some, those memories are connected to much later chapters of life—quiet evenings, family milestones, difficult transitions, or simply the comfort of returning to something familiar.
Cullen understood something many performers spend a lifetime learning: great voice acting is not simply about how someone sounds. It is about what listeners feel when they hear that voice.
His legacy will continue through the characters he helped define, the performances that introduced him to new generations, and the memories fans carry with them.
Peter Cullen may no longer be behind the microphone, but the voices he created will continue speaking.
And sometimes, that is the most lasting farewell an artist can leave.
Which Peter Cullen performance do you remember most—Optimus Prime or Eeyore? Share your favorite memory in the comments, and pass this story along to another fan.