Emmy-Winning Looney Tunes Voice Actor Eric Bauza Dies at 46
Looney Tunes voice actor Eric Bauza, known for voicing Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, has died at 46. Read details on his celebrated animation legacy.
POLICY WIRE — LOS ANGELES, United States — Emmy-winning voice actor Eric Bauza, who brought legendary Looney Tunes characters such as Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck to life for modern audiences, has died at the age of 46.
In an official statement published on his Instagram profile, his family announced that he died “suddenly” late Sunday. Records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that Bauza passed away at his home from hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
Starting his professional career in 2001, Bauza amassed over 400 voice acting credits across animated series including Puss in Boots, Muppet Babies, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. His work earned him three Children’s and Family Emmy Awards between 2022 and 2025.
Reflecting on his career, Bauza previously explained, Looney Tunes will always have a special place in my heart. He added, “It’s not just the voice but the aesthetic has influenced me as an artist.”
Raised in Scarborough, Ontario, by Filipino immigrant parents, Bauza discovered his passion for animation during his teenage years. In high school, he frequently delivered morning public address announcements using various cartoon voices.
Bauza held profound reverence for original voice performer Mel Blanc, once stating, “Mel Blanc is like the voice of God for me.” He routinely channelled Blanc’s work both in and out of the recording booth.
His feature film credits included Space Jam: A New Legacy in 2021, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie in 2024, and the 2026 project Coyote vs. Acme. After Warner Bros. initially chose not to release Coyote vs. Acme, Bauza advocated publicly for its distribution, even adopting the voice of Daffy Duck at the 2024 Annie Awards.
The film was later acquired by Ketchup Entertainment and crossed $100 million at the global box office. Regarding his performance at the award show, Bauza said, “He’s the go-to cartoon character above anyone else when it comes to begging and pleading,” adding, “It seemed appropriate.”
Reflecting on the enduring impact of the franchise, Bauza stated before the release of his final film, “The Looney Tunes were here before I was born and they’re definitely going to be here long after I leave this realm,” concluding, “I just feel like the luckiest guy.”
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
