The man who gave Bugs Bunny his voice has passed away

Eric Bauza has died at the age of 46. The voice actor was the latest performer to bring the voices of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig to life for Warner Bros. productions. His family announced the news on Instagram, stating that the performer died suddenly. Variety reported that he passed away at his home on Sunday. The outlet cited hypertensive cardiovascular disease as the cause of death.

Bauza’s final credits include the animated film Coyote vs. Acme, which released earlier this year. In that project, he voiced multiple characters, including the Road Runner. He also appeared in the recent release Forgotten Island. His work in the Looney Tunes franchise reached a global audience with the 2021 film Space Jam: A New Legacy. For that movie, he provided voices for Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, and Foghorn Leghorn.

Beyond the classic cartoon characters, Bauza played Toad General in The Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023. He returned to the role for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. That sequel currently stands as the fifth highest-grossing film internationally this year. His performance in that franchise added to a body of work that includes television series and major theatrical releases.

The actor received formal recognition for his work on television. Between 2022 and 2025, he won three Emmy awards for outstanding voice performance. These accolades recognized his contributions across various series. His career spanned more than a decade of consistent work in the animation industry.

Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, offered a tribute following the news. She described Bauza as a unique talent who brought joy to millions of viewers worldwide. Dungey noted that he followed the path of Mel Blanc, a legendary figure in the history of the cartoons. Bauza himself had previously called the Looney Tunes legacy one of the greatest honors of his life.

Bauza was born in Ontario and was of Filipino descent. He grew up as a fan of the cartoons and imitated the character voices as a child. In a 2021 interview with NBC News, he discussed the universal appeal of the franchise. He stated that the comedy of Looney Tunes transcends language and culture. He added that it does not matter where a viewer is from to appreciate the humor.

The family’s statement confirmed his sudden passing. Industry reports have detailed the medical cause as hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Bauza’s death ends a career that defined the current era of Looney Tunes voice acting.