Emmy Winner Eric Bauza, Looney Tunes Voice, Dies of Heart Condition
The Emmy-winning actor died at home on Sunday, ending a career that spanned decades of animation.
By Alina Marshall ·
Eric Bauza, the actor responsible for the voices of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig, has died at age 46. His family confirmed the news via an Instagram statement, describing his passing as sudden. Variety reported that the cause of death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease and that he died at his home on Sunday.
Bauza’s recent work included voicing multiple characters in Coyote vs. Acme, an animated film released this summer. He also featured in the recent release Forgotten Island. His role in Space Jam: A New Legacy in 2021 brought his interpretation of Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, and Foghorn Leghorn to a new generation of viewers. He reprised those roles in the newer release, adding the character of Road Runner to his roster.
The actor’s influence extended beyond the Looney Tunes franchise. He voiced Toad General in the 2023 film The Super Mario Bros. Movie and returned to the role in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The sequel has become the fifth highest-grossing international film of the year, according to box office data cited in the source. This success added to a body of work that included three Emmy awards for outstanding voice performance, which he won between 2022 and 2025.
Born in Ontario to Filipino parents, Bauza developed his interest in animation during childhood by imitating cartoon voices. In a 2021 interview with NBC News, he described the universal appeal of the medium. He stated, "Looney Tunes transcends all languages and all cultures. 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 reported by the Hollywood Reporter. She described Bauza as a unique talent who provided joy to a global audience. Dungey noted that he followed in the footsteps of industry legends like Mel Blanc. She added that Bauza considered carrying the legacy of the Looney Tunes to be one of the greatest honors of his life.
Source: BBC News
