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The cause of death of ‘Transformers’ star Peter Cullen has been revealed following his death at 85.
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His death certificate lists cardiac arrest caused by respiratory arrest, with lung cancer named as the underlying cause, according to a document obtained by TMZ.
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Cullen died at his Los Angeles home on August 26, 2026.
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The veteran voice actor was best known for voicing Optimus Prime and Eeyore during a career spanning more than six decades.
September 03, (THEWILL) — The cause of death of Peter Cullen, the iconic voice of Optimus Prime in the ‘Transformers’ franchise, has been revealed.
According to his death certificate obtained by TMZ, Cullen died from cardiac arrest caused by respiratory arrest. The document also lists malignant neoplasm of the lower lobe of the lungs, or lung cancer, as the underlying cause.
Cullen died on August 26, 2026, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 85.
His family previously confirmed his death, saying he passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. They did not reveal his cause of death at the time.
The death certificate now provides the first official details about what led to the veteran voice actor’s death.
Cullen spent more than six decades in entertainment and became one of the most recognisable voices in film and television.
He first voiced Optimus Prime in the original 1984 animated series ‘The Transformers’.
His deep voice became closely linked to the Autobot leader, a role he later reprised in several animated projects and Michael Bay’s live-action ‘Transformers’ films.
Cullen’s portrayal helped make Optimus Prime one of the most recognizable characters in the franchise. He was also known for bringing warmth and compassion to the character.
Beyond ‘Transformers’, Cullen was widely known as the voice of Eeyore in ‘Winnie the Pooh’. He also provided the creature’s vocal effects for the Predator in the 1987 film ‘Predator’.
His other notable credits included ‘G.I. Joe’, ‘Knight Rider’, ‘Voltron’ and ‘Chip ’n Dale Rescue Rangers’.
Following his death, fans and fellow entertainers paid tribute to Cullen and his decades-long career.
‘Transformers’ director Michael Bay also remembered the actor and his contribution to the franchise.
Cullen’s funeral is scheduled for September 9 at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles.
His death marked the loss of a distinctive voice that helped bring some of the most beloved characters in animation and film to life.
Evi-Ben Ezaga is an entertainment and society writer with a passion for stories that explore culture, people, and the stories shaping society today.
