Voice Actor Eric Bauza Dies at 46 After Sudden Illness
The performer, known for voicing Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, passed away at his home on Sunday, his family said.
By Grace Almasi ·
Eric Bauza, the Emmy-winning voice actor who brought iconic Looney Tunes characters to life, has died at the age of 46. His family announced the news via Instagram on Sunday, stating that the performer died suddenly at his home. Variety reported that the cause of death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
Bauza’s recent work includes voicing multiple characters in the animated film Coyote vs. Acme, which was released earlier this summer. He also appeared in the recent release Forgotten Island. His most widely recognized role came in the 2021 film Space Jam: A New Legacy, where he voiced Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, and Foghorn Leghorn. He returned to those roles, and added Road Runner, in this year’s Coyote vs. Acme.
The actor’s career extended beyond the Warner Bros. universe. He voiced Toad General in the 2023 film The Super Mario Bros. Movie and returned for its sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. That sequel is currently the fifth highest-grossing film internationally this year. Between 2022 and 2025, Bauza won three Emmy awards for outstanding voice performance across various television series.
Born in Ontario to a Filipino family, Bauza grew up imitating cartoon characters. In a 2021 interview with NBC News, he described the global appeal of the franchise. “Looney Tunes transcends all languages and all cultures,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what part of the planet you’re from. You get the comedy.”
Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, issued a tribute in a statement reported by the Hollywood Reporter. “Eric Bauza was a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world,” Dungey said. “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 honors of his life.”
Bauza’s death marks the end of a career that spanned nearly two decades of major animated features and television. His family’s announcement confirmed the sudden nature of his passing, a detail that has prompted widespread tributes from colleagues in the animation industry. The specific time of his death was not disclosed, only that it occurred at his residence on Sunday.
Source: BBC News
