Eric Bauza, Emmy Award-Winning Looney Tunes Voice Actor, Dies at 46

LOS ANGELES — Eric Bauza, Emmy Award-Winning Looney Tunes Voice Actor, Dies at 46

Eric Bauza, the celebrated voice actor who portrayed iconic Looney Tunes characters including Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, died Sunday at his home from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, according to records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. He was 46.

Bauza’s family announced his death in a statement posted Sunday on his Instagram account.

“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,” the family wrote. “More details to come.”

Throughout his career, Bauza became one of the animation industry’s most sought-after voice performers. In addition to Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, he voiced Tweety, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Porky Pig, Road Runner, Charlie the Dog and other characters in this year’s Looney Tunes film “Coyote vs. Acme.” His credits also included “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” “Looney Tunes Cartoons” and numerous other productions.

Bauza accumulated more than 400 acting credits, beginning with “The Ripping Friends” in 2001. He subsequently voiced characters in “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” “Chowder,” “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel,” “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated,” “Fanboy & Chum Chum” and “Ben 10 Omniverse,” among other projects.

In 2026, his voice work already included “Chibiverse,” “Minions & Monsters,” “Forgotten Island,” “Rick and Morty,” “Superkitties” and “Avatar: Seven Havens.”

In a review of the 2024 film “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie,” Variety’s Peter Debruge praised Bauza’s performances as Porky Pig and Daffy Duck, describing him as a “vocal MVP” who “brings a manic energy to the pair.”

Bauza received five Daytime Emmy Award nominations for his work on “Looney Tunes Cartoons,” “Mupped Babies” and “The Adventures of Puss in Boots.” He won three Children’s & Family Emmy Awards for “Teen Titans Go!,” “Bugs Bunny Builders” and “Looney Tunes Cartoons.” He also received a nomination for “Daffy in Wackyland.”

At the time of his death, Bauza was in pre-production on two projects. He was set to voice Daffy Duck in “Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical” and The Shogun King in “The Dragon Masters.”

Chris DeFaria, the producer of “Coyote vs. Acme,” said he would remember Bauza for his “absolutely tireless dedication” to animation. He also reflected on the performer’s “pure expression of dedication, talent, enthusiasm, love and fun.”

“He embodied everything we wanted from this film, including the major theme of the movie that a little guy can make a difference in this world,” DeFaria said. “He’s a voiceover artist for animated characters that have historic precedents and roles, and somehow out of that, he carved out a place in this business. And this past year, he had such an incredible impact, both on our movie, of course, but also on bringing attention to this amazing art form.”

Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks Chairman Channing Dungey also paid tribute to the actor, highlighting his contributions during 15 years at Warner Bros. Animation.

“Eric Bauza was a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world. During his 15 years at Warner Bros. Animation, he was the voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck among countless other characters,” Dungey said in a statement.

She noted that Bauza followed in the footsteps of legendary voice actor Mel Blanc and that he considered continuing the Looney Tunes legacy one of the greatest honors of his life.

“In addition to his incredible talent, Eric was a treasured part of our animation family. Our hearts go out to his loved ones,” Dungey added.

Bauza was born on Dec. 7, 1979, in Scarborough, Toronto. According to his SBV talent biography, he began his career in animation as a character designer at a Hollywood production studio.

He later worked in animation departments on projects including “Good Vibe,” “Nimbrod and Stinky’s Antarctic Adventure,” “The Drawn Together Movie!,” “Slacker Cats” and “El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera.”