We are heartbroken to hear about the passing of actor Peter Cullen at the age of 85.

©The Hollywood Reporter

He was known for beloved roles as the voice of Optimus Prime in Transformers and Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh.

The Hollywood Reporter has shared that Cullen passed away Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. His family shared a statement that he “passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family — and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide,” and asked, “that you honor his remarkable legacy by serving your communities and leading others with compassion, integrity, and loyalty, and always remember ‘be strong enough to be gentle.’”

©Paramount Pictures

Cullen began voicing Eeyore on the 1988-91 series The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, as well as Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year in 2002, and on several other shows.

Eeyore

In an old interview, when asked about playing Eeyore, he shared, “I get an awful lot of reactions from, especially, young kids, when I go up and just say [in Eeyore’s voice], ‘Hello. Thanks for noticing me.’”

Hi, friend

We are heartbroken to have lost such a talented and beloved actor, and our hearts and thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him.