Eric Bauza, the Emmy-winning voice actor who brought Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and a host of other Looney Tunes characters to life for a new generation, has died aged 46.
His family announced his death on his Instagram account, writing: “Eric Bauza, Emmy Award-winning voice actor and the modern voice of iconic Looney Tunes characters Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, along with dozens of other beloved cartoon characters, has passed away suddenly. More details to come.”
Bauza died at home on Sunday from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, according to records from the Los Angeles County medical examiner, reported Variety.
Bauza spent 15 years working with Warner Bros Animation, succeeding the legendary Mel Blanc as the voice behind some of the studio’s best-known cartoon characters. In addition to Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, his roles included Porky Pig, Tweety, Road Runner, Elmer Fudd, and Foghorn Leghorn.
Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros Television Group and US Networks, paid tribute to Bauza, saying in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter: “Eric Bauza was a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world. He followed in the footsteps of giants like Mel Blanc. Eric said that carrying on the legendary legacy of the Looney Tunes was among the greatest honours of his life.”
She added: “In addition to his incredible talent, Eric was a treasured part of our animation family. Our hearts go out to his loved ones.”
Bauza’s manager Judy Coppage described him as a “unique and versatile voice actor who was loved by everyone he knew and worked with”. “His sudden passing is a shock to all of us, and he will be deeply missed. It’s a profound loss for his family, the animation industry and his fans,” she told CBS Los Angeles.
crazy to think that this is the last time we got to hear him voicing bugs bunny and it almost never got released. he should’ve had way more years ahead of him, still doesn’t make sense that he’s gone. RIP Eric Bauza https://t.co/Lma9ZPDiS6 pic.twitter.com/VZCn8QS8xY
Born in Scarborough, Toronto, in 1979, Bauza began his career in animation as a character designer before establishing himself as a prolific voice actor. Across a career spanning more than two decades, Bauza worked in television, film, and advertising, accumulating more than 400 acting credits.
His work extended well beyond Looney Tunes, with roles in The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Muppet Babies, and Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
His film credits included Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021), in which he voiced Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, and Marvin the Martian, and The Super Mario Bros Movie (2023), in which he played Toad General.
He also voiced multiple characters in Coyote vs Acme, released earlier this year, and appeared in the recent animated release Forgotten Island.
Bauza won three Emmy awards for his voice performances in Teen Titans Go!, Bugs Bunny Builders, and Looney Tunes Cartoons.
Christopher DeFaria, a producer on Coyote vs Acme, told Variety that Bauza was a “voiceover artist for animated characters that have historic precedents and roles, and somehow out of that, he carved out a place in this business”.
At the time of his death, Bauza was in pre-production on Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical and The Dragon Masters.
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