‘Transformers’ Optimus Prime Voice Was 85

Peter Cullen, the Canadian voice actor who starred as the heroic Optimus Prime in a convoy of Transformers films, TV shows and video games and as the gloomy Eeyore in dozens of Winnie the Pooh projects, has died. He was 85.

Cullen died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, his agent, Kevin Motley, told The Hollywood Reporter.

He “passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family — and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide,” his family said in a statement. They ask “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.’”

The Montreal-born Cullen also voiced King Kong for the 1976 remake and the evil K.A.R.R. (short for Knight Automated Roving Robot) on Knight Rider series in 1982 and 2009, and he came up with the scary clicking sounds that emerged from the mouth of the monster in the Arnold Schwarzenegger-starring Predator (1987).

Early in his career, he was a live-action performer and served as the announcer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.

In a 2014 NPR interview, Cullen noted that he initially approached playing Optimus Prime with puzzlement. “I auditioned like everybody else,” he said. “I was told it was a hero, and I was told it was a truck.”

The good-natured Cullen got the job and voiced the honorable leader of the Autobots for the first time on the 1984-87 syndicated series The Transformers, based on the Hasbro toy line and produced by Marvel in association with Toei Animation of Japan and then AKOM in South Korea.

Optimus’ death after a duel with the tyrannical Megatron in The Transformers: The Movie (1986) caused a huge and unexpected outcry, prompting producers to bring Cullen and the character back for the 1987 straight-to-video movie The Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime.

When director Michael Bay resurrected the property for the big screen with DreamWorks’ Transformers (2007), starring Shia LaBeouf, it was a no-brainer to rehire Cullen after two decades away.

“I describe it as kind of slipping into an old pair of very comfortable shoes that you haven’t worn for a while,” he told IGN in 2007. “I just slipped right into them, and they felt as good as the last time I put them on.”

With Cullen as the Peterbilt 379 semi-trailer truck, the film grossed $709.7 million worldwide — the fifth-highest grossing movie of the year. He followed with the sequels Revenge of the Fallen (2009), which raked in $836.3 million, and Dark of the Moon (2011) and Age of Extinction (2014), which each raked in $1.1 billion.

Cullen also played Optimus in The Last Knight (2017), Bumblebee (2018) and Rise of the Beasts (2023). (Chris Hemsworth voiced the character in 2014’s Transformers One.)

Cullen began as the voice of Eeyore on the 1988-91 series The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and he portrayed the droopy donkey in the feature Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year (2002) and on other shows and videos.

“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,’” Cullen said.

lazyload fallback — Peter Cullen voiced Optimus Prime in 2014’s ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction.’

Industrial Light & Magic/Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

One of four children, Peter Claver Cullen was born in Montreal on July 28, 1941. His parents, Henry, a longtime newsprint executive with the International Paper Sales Co., and Muriel, were Americans.

He spent time on a relative’s farm as a kid, and “I remember the very first summer, I could imitate the cows, the calves, the chickens, the different dogs they had,” he recalled.

He left the National Theatre School of Canada as a member of its first graduating class in 1963, studied acting under operatic coach Bernard Diamant, did Shakespeare for a summer in Stratford, Ontario, and was a member of the repertory company at The Crest Theatre in Toronto for a year.

He also worked as an announcer for the Montreal radio station CKGM and played an astronaut named Commander Bi Bi Latuque on the 1967 slapstick kids series The Buddies for the Montreal TV station CFCF. He then starred in Les Anglaises, a CBC radio comedy about a French Canadian man and his English Canadian wife (Joan Stuart) for the series Funny You Should Say That.

Cullen headed to Hollywood and landed on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1967, and he took part in comedy sketches for the Sonny & Cher program and The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Comedy Show.

To play Optimus Prime, Cullen said he channeled the spirit of his older brother, Larry, a decorated U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam from 1965-68.

“When he came home, I could see a change. He was quieter and he was a man and a superhero to me,” he said in 2006. “I watched him and listened to him. I’d never had an opportunity to do a superhero, and when that came, [that voice] just came right out of me, and I sounded like Optimus.”

He also got to voice Autobots weapons specialist Ironhide, which he based on Chill Wills, an actor in classic Hollywood Westerns.

Cullen’s performance in the first season of the 2010-13 series Transformers: Prime earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination.

At the urging of his agent, Cullen auditioned for Predator even though he was coughing up blood after working long hours on another project, he recalled in 2018. Producers initially didn’t want to show him what the creature looked like, hoping to keep that a secret, but the actor insisted.

“If I can’t see the character, I don’t know what I’m gonna do. I have to have something to relate to, to put myself inside of,” Cullen said of his voice-acting playbook.

“I saw this ugly, ugly face and these tentacles [moving around]. It reminded me of an upside-down horseshoe crab dying in the sun on a beach when I was a kid. Nasty. But from that was coming all these crackling sounds, bubbles that were coming out and bursting.”

Back on the animation front, Cullen also voiced the cheese-obsessed mouse Monterey Jack on Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers; Coran and King Alfor in the Lion Voltron series; Ramrod in the anime show Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs; Commander James Hawkins in the Vehicle Voltron series; Mario in Saturday Supercade cartoons; and Councillor 1 in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

He was involved with NASA and the Optimus Prime Spinoff Award, which is presented each year to youngsters studying space, science, technology and math.

Survivors include his children, Angus, Claire, Pilar and Clay, a stunt performer and coordinator.

“The phenomenon of Transformers itself is mind-shaking,” he said. “Being a part of it is not only historical, it’s a part of your life that says, ‘Gee, I’m glad.’ I did something in my life that stood out, and I’m really grateful for that. Humbled by it.”

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Avs’ Cale Makar worth every cent, but pressure is on to deliver Stanley Cup

The contract extension, increasingly inevitable, will not be about the term.

It will be about making the Avs’ Cale Makar’s team.

This will be disputed because of the presence of captain Gabe Landeskog and former MVP Nathan MacKinnon.

But a long-term agreement, which is inching closer according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, makes this part of Makar’s legacy. And burden.

He will be here long after Landeskog retires and MacKinnon fades from superstardom.

When you sign a monster contract in your prime and are headed to the Hall of Fame, the pressure is on to deliver another championship.

Two would be even better. But Makar is too great to only hold one Cup.

After a flameout of historical proportions against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Avs reacted with more complacency than urgency.

Operating general manager Joe Sakic made tweaks to the roster, but the heaviest lift involved clearing salary cap space by trading Valeri Nichushkin, Ross Colton and Jack Drury.

The moves made it easier to accommodate Makar. And if you still don’t understand why he is the biggest of deals, follow the money.

Even if he does not finish with the NHL’s highest average annual value for any player — not just a defenseman — the floor should be $17 million. Whether it runs for eight years — a possibility if signed before Sept. 15 — or a shorter period, the financial commitment will explain his significance.

At 27, he is the present and the future.

Makar has never put the Avs in a difficult position, always playing nice, playing well and playing hurt. He has all the leverage and could be demanding, cackling to the armored truck as he boxes in the organization.

He would never do that. The only thing Makar regularly features more than ability is humility.

But a new deal means he can never just be one of the guys again. No blending into the curtains. If healthy, no forgettable postseasons.

Like Makar, several Avs players were hurt against the Golden Knights, which provides a reason, not an excuse for their elimination.

It does not make it any less embarrassing. The Knights suffocated and frustrated the Avs, turning the middle of the ice into a barnyard for pigs to slop.

After Las Vegas completed its Legion of Broom, MacKinnon could not be bothered to meet the press despite multiple requests. He was injured, but it was not his larynx. He should have talked. It is part of the responsibility that comes with his stature.

Cale Makar (8) of the Colorado Avalanche looks for space as Jack Eichel (9) and Pavel Dorofeyev (16) of the Vegas Golden Knights defend during the third period of the Golden Knights' 5-3 win in Game 3 of the NHL Western Conference Final at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) — Cale Makar (8) of the Colorado Avalanche looks for space as Jack Eichel (9) and Pavel Dorofeyev (16) of the Vegas Golden Knights defend during the third period of the Golden Knights’ 5-3 win in Game 3 of the NHL Western Conference Final at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Makar waited at his locker, taking questions. He expressed disappointment about the exit, about not doing more, even though he looked like he had one working shoulder in his limited participation.

He was hardly why the Avs came up snake eyes. Brock Nelson, Nichushkin, Scott Wedgewood, MacKinnon and Brent Burns all deserved blame for the collapse. And, of course, so did the coach.

But when Makar addressed the media, it signaled something important. He took responsibility for the mess and vouched for Jared Bednar when I asked him about the possibility of the boss getting fired.

When Sakic held the season-ending press conference several days later, he admitted Bednar wasn’t going anywhere because the players had his back.

We know Makar wanted him back.

Makar’s defense.

Makar’s power play.

Makar’s pressure.

Don’t get lost in the minutiae. The term will not be the issue with any Makar contract.

We all assume that Makar is going to retire as a member of the Avalanche. The organization wants this, and Sakic declared it, saying, “Cale is going to finish his career here.”

This is the likely outcome because of his talent, leadership and performance.

Makar has earned every cent of his money. But when you reach his level, the conversation shifts to debates about greatness.

It would be a shame if what is happening to the Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic were to become Makar’s fate. Jokic will not be considered among the top 10 all-time players without another title. And he does not feel close as the Nuggets are trapped by unmovable contracts, age and injuries.

Makar could be kind and give the Avs some breathing room on his extension. The only reason to do that is to help win a championship. Stan Kroenke doesn’t need a charitable act to run the franchise, given his $26 billion portfolio valuation of his sports franchises.

Unlike the Nuggets, the Avs are right there.

Colorado is considered a favorite to win the Stanley Cup by several sportsbooks, and no worse than third behind the reigning champion Hurricanes and the former champion Panthers.

We know the Avs will play well during the regular season. They always do. No team was better a year ago, and the President’s Trophy got them a great seed and broken dreams.

The referendum will not arrive until the postseason.

Defenseman Cale Makar (8) of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates his goal on goaltender Jesper Wallstedt (30) of the Minnesota Wild during the third period of Game 1 of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

Makar has performed his best when it matters most, leading the Avs to the 2022 Stanley Cup. He delivered 29 points in 20 games to net the Conn Smythe Trophy.

That seems like a long time ago.

Bruins legendary defenseman Bobby Orr won two Stanley Cups.

It is a reasonable ask of Makar.

We know he can do it. The difference moving forward with an eventual new contract is that we will expect him to.

Want more Avalanche news? Sign up for the Avalanche Insider to get all our NHL analysis.

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RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 8 celebrity judges and special guests revealed

Halle-ru-iah! Thursday nights are back with a glitter-filled bang as award-winning RuPaul’s Drag Race UK returns to BBC iPlayer and BBC Three this Autumn on Thursday 3 September. This time the engines will be revving and available from 7pm on BBC iPlayer and 9pm on BBC Three and the season promises to serve appointment viewing and appointment judging.

The internationally runowned RuPaul, will be regaling the fandom with a dazzling array of celebrity guests as they swoon, critique and deliberate over the fate of a fresh batch of crown thirsty queens in their bid to become the UK’s Next Drag Race Superstar.

Resident Drag Race judges Alan Carr, Graham Norton, and Michelle Visage will return alongside a stellar list of guest judges aka Drag Race Superfans:

Thandiwe Newton

Thandiwe Newton brings Hollywood glamour to the judging panel and separates the sashays from the shantays. When asked what her drag queen name would be Thandiwe Newton said: “If I were…well let’s face it, I am a drag queen – my drag name would be Hannibal Trewartha, Hannibal was the name of my first pet, and Trewartha was the name of my first street and that apparently is your drag name”

Anne-Marie

The multi-platinum singer, songwriter Anne-Marie fulfils a lifelong ambition of serving judgement with elegance at Drag Race UK. When asked to describe her Drag Race UK experience, Anne-Marie said: “What a dream to be a part of Ru’s Drag Race. Surrounded by beautiful people all day! I loved it and I can’t wait to watch the whole season.”

Cat Burns

The singer-songwriter Cat Burns reunites with fellow traitor Alan Carr for a very different kind of judging. When asked what her drag name would be Cat said: “If I were on Drag Race UK my drag queen name would be Kitty Kat First Degree Burns.”

Kadiff Kirwan

The Slow Horses actor, Kadiff Kirwan swerves into the Drag Race lane for even more high stakes drama. When asked about his experience on Drag Race UK Kadiff Kirwan said: “Still floating and never want to come down from the queer fever dream that was being a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 8. It was everything one could want and more. RuPaul’s beauty, wicked humour and energy confirmed why SHE is the only queen I bow to.”

Michèle Lamy

Category is: fashion anarchist. Style icon Michèle Lamy arrives ready to celebrate queens who dare to be different. When asked what talent she would show off on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Michèle Lamy said: “I would dance with all my bracelets, and covered in powder all over, then I’d roll myself on the floor in front of RuPaul.”

Michelle de Swarte

Back by popular demand, comedian, actor, supermodel Michelle de Swarte returns to serve up her trademark unfiltered commentary with a hint of duplicitous charm. When asked what her drag queen name would be Michelle de Swarte said “My drag queen name would be Michelle de Barge.”

Rick Astley

He’s never gonna give up serving, Pop icon Rick Astley sashays onto the mainstage for some Rickroll mischief and camparaderie. When asked what his drag queen name would be Rick Astley said: “If I were a drag queen, my name would be Miss Rickety Splits.”

Erin O’Connor

Supermodel Erin O’Connor arrives with unrivalled fashion credentials and an eye for a killer runway. When asked what she loves about Drag Race UK Erin said: “What I love about Drag Race UK is the design challenge, I love to see all the queens getting stuck in and then putting their creations on a runway and bringing it all to life – it’s the moment!”

Layton Williams

The West End sensation, Layton Williams sashays on to the judging panel ready to turn the spotlight on to the queens. When asked what one of his favourite Drag Race UK moments is he said: “One of my favourite Drag Race UK moments was with La Voix and her dad. It’s a dynamic we don’t see enough on telly. Queen’s and their supportive dads… It was so heartwarming.”

Martin Fry

By ru-yal invitation from Mama Ru, eighties frontman Martin Fry sashays onto the Main Stage. When asked what he would excel in, in Drag Race UK he said: “I’d like to excel in singing, that’s my trade, but if you asked me to tap dance I would bomb, no tap dancing!”

The Drag Race fandom can also look forward to cheeky cameo appearances from: Heartthrob-ing actor, Arian Nik who stars in BBC’s Daddy Issues and The Split Up; popstar superstar from Blue – Duncan James; Supermodel and Drag Race darling, Kristen McMenamy; Musical theatre royalty, Mazz Murray; Dance Pop duo – Booty Luv and beloved queen-whipping choreographer Claudimar Neto!

With a highly ambitious new cast, the brand-new series promises to serve up one of Drag Race UK’s most spicy seasons in recent herstory.

These queens are hungry, and ready to eat, and may the best queen win!

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is a World of Wonder production for BBC Three and BBC iPlayer commissioned by Fiona Campbell, in her capacity as Controller, BBC iPlayer and Youth Audiences and Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC. The Executive Producers for World of Wonder are Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, RuPaul Charles, Bruce McCoy, Matt Green, and Johnni Javier and the BBC Commissioning Editor is Ruby Kuraishe.

SH3

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Tadej Pogacar battles back from scare on descent to win stage six of Vuelta a España | Vuelta a España

Tadej Pogacar outsprinted Enric Mas to claim victory in stage six of the Vuelta a España on Thursday, his third stage win of the race.

The Slovenian and Mas outshone their rivals on the gravel in the stage’s final climb, and Pogacar held off the Spaniard when arriving in Castellón de la Plana to extend his general classification lead. The five-time Tour de France winner Pogacar, the overwhelming favourite for the Vuelta, is aiming to complete a Grand Tour grand slam.

Ramses Debruyne grabbed the third spot on the podium, finishing in a group including Primoz Roglic, Richard Carapaz and Felix Gall, 46 seconds behind the leaders. UAE Team Emirates’ Pogacar, who had a brief scare as he came off the road on the final descent, now leads Movistar’s Mas by 3min 34sec and his compatriot Roglic by 4min 21sec overall.

There was a big battle to get into the break but it took a long time for an escape to form. Finally 15 riders moved clear and established a two-and-a-half minute gap on the peloton with 40km remaining. The final climb of Puerto El Bartolo split up the break and then peeled on to a gravel road, where Pogacar attacked and picked off the riders ahead of him. Mas was hot on his tail and the Spaniard dug deep to charge past Pogacar and come over the top of the climb ahead. Pogacar came off the road and into a grassy section after misjudging a corner, but he swiftly recovered to get back on Mas’s trail. The four-time Vuelta winner Roglic, Gall and Debruyne were chasing the front two, but Pogacar and Mas worked well together to keep their advantage. Pogacar led out towards the finish line and Mas could not catch him.

It was a bad day for Oscar Onley, who lost more than a minute and a half on his general classification rivals.

Earlier in the day, the Netcompany Ineos rider Josh Tarling abandoned the race with around 120km of the stage left, with his team not giving a reason. The Briton’s brother Finlay Tarling died in the Tour of Portugal after a crash with a vehicle, but Josh decided to race in Spain in honour of his sibling. “Josh Tarling’s brave La Vuelta has come to an end and he’s decided to stop. We couldn’t be prouder,” said Netcompany Ineos on social media.

Tarling produced a strong display in the first stage individual time trial, coming third behind Pogacar and Ethan Hayter.

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