Acclaimed voice actor Eric Bauza, best known for his character performances on “Looney Tunes,” has died at age 46.
His family announced news of his sudden passing in a shared social media statement on Oct. 25, prompting an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and fans across the animation industry.
“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,” read the Instagram post.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, Bauza died at his residence over the weekend from hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
The condition is caused by long-term high blood pressure that places excessive strain on the heart and blood vessels over time.
The added pressure can cause the heart muscle to thicken or weaken, damage blood vessels, and increase the risk of serious complications, including heart failure, heart attack, or stroke.
The report also listed sleep apnea and Class 2 obesity as additional medical conditions, with the manner of death classified as natural.
Born in Canada and raised in Scarborough, Ontario, to Filipino immigrant parents, Bauza developed an interest in cartoon voices while still a teenager.
He experimented with character impressions during his school years before beginning his professional career in animation in 2001.
Bauza began working with the “Looney Tunes” franchise in 2011, when he was cast as Marvin the Martian. He expanded his roster of characters, eventually becoming the voice of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig in modern productions.
He also portrayed beloved figures such as Tweety, Elmer Fudd, and Foghorn Leghorn, showcasing his versatility and ability to capture the distinct personalities, mannerisms, and comedic timing that made each character memorable.
“Looney Tunes will always have a special place in my heart,” he told the Associated Press in an interview this year. “I watched them on Saturday mornings originally. It’s not just the voice but the overall aesthetic has influenced me as an artist.”
Beyond the Warner Bros. cartoon universe, Bauza contributed voices to productions including “The Fairly OddParents,” “Teen Titans Go!,” “Muppet Babies,” and “Avatar: The Last Airbender.”
His film credits include “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie,” and the 2026 release of “Coyote vs. Acme.”
“From my experience working several times in the feature film format, there’s always the reminder that it is ‘temporary dialogue’ and ‘Chris Pratt will be voicing all the Looney Tunes in this feature film’—no, just kidding,” he quipped in his AP interview.
With more than 400 acting credits over the course of his career, Bauza received three Children’s and Family Emmy Awards between 2022 and 2025.
“The Looney Tunes were here before I was born and they’re definitely going to be here long after I leave this realm,” he told the AP. “I just feel like the luckiest guy.”
Bauza is survived by his son, whom he shared with his former partner, animator and director Jessica Lynn Borutski.
