Peter Cullen, the Canadian actor best known as the voice of Optimus Prime in the “Transformers” franchise, has died at the age of 85, according to multiple reports from Mexican outlets including El Financiero, La Jornada, and Univision.
The news of Cullen’s passing was first reported on Thursday, August 27, 2026. El Financiero confirmed the death in a headline published that afternoon, with La Jornada and Univision also carrying the story. No official cause of death has been disclosed in the available reports.
Cullen’s portrayal of Optimus Prime, the noble leader of the Autobots, began with the original 1980s animated series and continued through the live-action film series directed by Michael Bay. His deep, commanding voice became a defining element of the character, earning him a dedicated fanbase across generations. In the live-action movies, Cullen reprised the role from 2007’s “Transformers” through “Transformers: The Last Knight” in 2017, and he also voiced the character in the 2023 film “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.”
Beyond his work on “Transformers,” Cullen had a long career in animation and voice acting, but it was Optimus Prime that cemented his legacy. His delivery of the character’s iconic lines, such as “Autobots, roll out,” became part of pop culture history.
The reports from El Financiero and other outlets do not provide additional biographical details or statements from family members. Fans and colleagues are expected to pay tribute to Cullen in the coming days, though no memorial plans have been announced publicly yet.
