Eric Bauza, the Emmy Award-winning voice actor who played Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck on Looney Tunes, died Sunday at home of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, according to Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records. He was 46.
Bauza’s family announced his death in a statement posted to the actor’s Instagram account on Sunday.
“Eric Bauza, Emmy Award-winning voice actor and the modern voice of iconic Looney Tunes characters Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, among dozens of other beloved cartoon characters, has died unexpectedly,” they wrote. “More information to come.”
Bauza was one of the industry’s most in-demand voiceover actors throughout his career, lending his voice to characters such as the aforementioned Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, as well as Tweety, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Porky Pig, Road Runner, Charlie the Dog, and others in this year’s Looney Tunes film “Coyote vs. Acme.”
He has also voiced characters in “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” “Looney Tunes Cartoons,” and others.
Bauza had over 400 acting credits, beginning with his debut in 2001’s “The Ripping Friends.”
He went on to voice characters in “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” “Chowder,” “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel,” “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated,” “Fanboy & Chum Chum,” “Ben 10 Omniverse,” and many other shows.
In 2026 alone, Bauza had already lent his voice to projects such as “Chibiverse,” “Minions & Monsters,” “Forgotten Island,” “Rick and Morty,” “Superkitties,” and “Avatar: Seven Havens.”
In Variety’s review of the 2024 film “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie,” Peter Debruge called Bauza, who voiced both Porky and Daffy, a “vocal MVP” who “brings a manic energy to the pair.”
Bauza received five Daytime Emmy nominations for his work on “Looney Tunes Cartoons,” “Mupped 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” and was nominated for “Daffy in Wackyland.”
Bauza was in pre-production for two projects when he died: “Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical” as Daffy Duck and “The Dragon Masters” as The Shogun King.
Condolences poured out
Chris DeFaria, who produced “Coyote vs. Acme,” told Variety that he will remember Bauza for his “absolutely tireless dedication” to the animation art form, as well as his “pure expression of dedication, talent, enthusiasm, love, and fun.”
“He embodied everything we wanted from this film, including the movie’s main theme that a little guy can make a difference in the world,”
DeFaria stated. “He’s a voiceover artist for animated characters with historical precedents and roles, and he’s managed to carve out a niche for himself in this industry. And this past year, he had such an incredible impact, not only on our film, but also on raising awareness of this amazing art form.”
“Eric Bauza was a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions of people all over the world. “During his 15 years at Warner Bros. Animation, he voiced Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and countless other characters,” said Warner Bros.
Television Group and US Networks Chairman Channing Dungey in a statement. “He followed in the footsteps of greats like Mel Blanc. Eric said continuing the legendary legacy of the Looney Tunes was one of the greatest honors of his life. In addition to his incredible talent, Eric was a beloved member of our animation family. “Our hearts go out to his loved ones.”
Bauza was born December 7, 1979, in Scarborough, Toronto. His SBV talent bio states that he started his animation career as a character designer at a Hollywood production studio.
He worked in the animation department on films like “Good Vibe,” “Nimbrod and Stinky’s Antarctic Adventure,” “The Drawn Together Movie!,” “Slacker Cats,” “El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera,” and others.