Source : the age
Eric Bauza, the legendary voice actor behind beloved Looney Tunes characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, has died suddenly from hypertensive cardiovascular disease. He was 46.
The three-time Emmy Award-winning performer was one of the most in-demand voice actors in Hollywood. He joined the kooky Looney Tunes universe in 2011, first bringing Marvin the Martian to life before expanding to other well-known characters like Porky Pig, Tweety, Elmer Fudd and Foghorn Leghorn.
“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. More details to come,” Bauza’s family wrote on his Instagram on Monday (AEDT).
The cause of the Canadian voice actor’s death was released by the Los Angeles County medical examiner.
Born in Scarborough, Toronto in 1979, Bauza was a self-taught talent. He accrued more than 400 acting credits throughout his career, working on productions like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, Rick and Morty and Minions & Monsters.
However, he was arguably best known for his voice work on the cherished Looney Tunes franchise, which continued into 2026 with Dave Green’s Coyote vs Acme. At the time of his death, Bauza was in pre-production on two other projects: Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical as Daffy Duck and The Dragon Masters as The Shogun King.
Speaking to this masthead last year, Bauza shared how it felt to be one of the driving forces behind the iconic 96-year-old franchise. Beyond a constant need for throat lozenges, he said it was among the greatest honours of his life.
“Doing Looney Tunes voices, it’s like putting on a Santa outfit. People are just instantly happy … All I can hope is that I make people smile. If you’re smiling, then I know I’m doing a job well done,” he said, gradually shifting into Porky Pig’s classic stutter.
According to Chris DeFaria, former president of animation and innovative technology at Warner Bros and producer of Coyote vs Acme, Bauza achieved that and then some.
“The world [has] lost a great voice,” he wrote for Variety on Tuesday. “Eric carried the legacy of Looney Tunes with a devotion few bring to their work … To him, [Looney Tunes characters] were icons who deserved to be honoured, protected, and kept alive for new generations. He championed these characters tirelessly in every room he walked into.”
Warner Bros Television Group and US Networks chair Channing Dungey echoed DeFaria’s sentiment, noting how Bauza brought joy and laughter to millions around the world.
“He followed in the footsteps of giants like Mel Blanc [renowned voice actor who died in 1989],” Dungey told Variety. “In addition to his incredible talent, Eric was a treasured part of our animation family. Our hearts go out to his loved ones.”
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Nell Geraets is a Culture reporter at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.
