Eric Bauza, Voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, Dies at 46

Eric Bauza, the acclaimed Emmy-winning voice actor renowned as the modern voice of iconic Looney Tunes characters such as Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, died on Sunday at his home in Los Angeles County at the age of 46. His family and his manager confirmed the sudden passing, which has deeply shaken the animation community and fans worldwide.

According to records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, the official cause of death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease, and the manner of death was determined to be natural. His family shared a brief statement on his Instagram account announcing the news, noting that additional details would be provided at a later time.

Stepping into the roles originated by legendary voice actor Mel Blanc was a monumental challenge, but Bauza accomplished the feat with remarkable skill during his 15 years with Warner Bros. Animation. In addition to Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, he brought warmth and humor to a vast lineup of classic characters including Porky Pig, Tweety, Foghorn Leghorn, Pepé Le Pew, Road Runner, Elmer Fudd, and Marvin the Martian.

Channing Dungey, Chairman of the Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, paid tribute to his legacy, stating that Bauza followed in the footsteps of giants. "Eric Bauza was a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world," Dungey said. "In addition to his incredible talent, Eric was a treasured part of our animation family."

Bauza's prolific career spanned more than 400 credits across television, film, and digital media. Beyond his work with Looney Tunes in projects like Space Jam: A New Legacy, Looney Tunes Cartoons, and Coyote vs. Acme, he leant his versatile vocal talents to numerous other beloved franchises. His extensive resume included roles in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Puss in Boots, Teen Titans Go!, Rick and Morty, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

His contributions to the animation industry earned him widespread critical acclaim and multiple accolades. Bauza won Children’s and Family Emmy Awards in 2022, 2023, and 2024 for his standout performances in animated and preschool programming, alongside multiple Daytime Emmy nominations throughout his career.

Judy Coppage, Bauza's longtime manager, expressed her profound sorrow over the loss. "Eric was a unique and versatile voice actor who was loved by everyone he knew and worked with," Coppage said. "His sudden passing is a shock to all of us, and he will be deeply missed."

Born in Canada, Bauza began his journey in the animation industry working as a character designer before transitioning into voice acting. He frequently expressed deep reverence for the history of animation, often describing Mel Blanc's original voice work as the foundational blueprint for characters that have entertained audiences for generations.