Eric Bauza, the Emmy-winning voice actor known for voicing Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety and Porky Pig in Looney Tunes, has died suddenly at the age of 46. His family announced his death on Sunday night with a short statement posted to his Instagram account.
The statement read: '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.'
Variety later reported his cause of death as hypertensive cardiovascular disease, according to Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records.
Career Highlights and Recent Success
Bauza had recently been part of the success of Coyote vs Acme, the live-action animation hybrid comedy that grossed $101.5 million (£75.9m) at the box office this summer. The film was initially shelved by Warner Bros. as a tax write-off in 2023, but a fan-led campaign led the studio to sell distribution rights to Ketchup Entertainment for a reported $50m (£37.4m), who released it in August.
In the movie, which starred Will Forte, Lana Condor and John Cena, Bauza was credited as voicing Bugs, Daffy, Porky, Tweety, Road Runner, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Dr. Lorre, Charlie Dog and Gossamer. He also voiced characters in Space Jam: A New Legacy, various Looney Tunes cartoons, DuckTales, Unikitty!, Thomas & Friends and Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Bauza's first credit came in 2001 on the TV show The Ripping Friends, with more than 400 credits since, including Avatar: The Last Airbender, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, Ben 10 Omniverse, as well as Minions & Monsters and Forgotten Island this year.
Tributes from Colleagues and Fans
Fellow voice actors and fans paid tribute on social media. Voice actor Tawny Platis commented on Instagram: 'This is so heartbreaking and an incredible loss. Not only is Eric a legend and will always be one of the best, he was so kind and had such a good heart. Deepest condolences to you and all of Eric's family.'
Grey DeLisle wrote: 'One of the most talented, kind, funny, generous souls. I can't comprehend this.' Phineas and Ferb co-creator Dan Povenmire said: 'Oh my god! This is devastating! I was just thinking about him this morning and what a huge upturn his career has had with the success of Coyote vs Acme and what a great guy he is and how happy I was that he was getting recognised for his immense talent. I am speechless.'
Jim Cummings, who voiced the Tasmanian Devil in Coyote vs Acme, re-shared a reel of him and Bauza doing a Darkwing Duck and Daffy Duck 'face off' on his podcast in 2024, with fans sharing tributes underneath. One fan, @a.myuzen, posted: 'Eric was a special one, carried on the Looney Tunes torch so wonderfully and every interview with him in it was such a treat. So devastating.' Zach McCoy wrote: 'This is just incredibly sad. Eric truly felt like he was the modern Mel Blanc, and now we lost another amazing talent.'
Coyote vs Acme producer Chris DeFaria remembered Bauza's 'pure expression of dedication, talent, enthusiasm, love and fun'. He told Variety: 'He embodied everything we wanted from this film, including the major theme of the movie that a little guy can make a difference in this world.'
Channing Dungey, Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks Chairman, praised Bauza as 'a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world', adding: 'Eric said that carrying on the legendary legacy of the Looney Tunes was among the greatest honors of his life. In addition to his incredible talent, Eric was a treasured part of our animation family. Our hearts go out to his loved ones.'
Awards and Legacy
Over his career, Bauza was nominated for five Daytime Emmy Awards for his work on Looney Tunes Cartoons, Muppet Babies and The Adventures of Puss in Boots. He won three Children's & Family Emmy Awards for Teen Titans Go!, Bugs Bunny Builders and Looney Tunes Cartoons, as well as a nomination for Daffy in Wackyland.
Bauza was widely regarded as one of the successors to original Looney Tunes voice actor Mel Blanc, and his sudden death marks a significant loss to the animation community.
