Eric Bauza brought Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and a long list of cartoon favorites to a new generation of viewers. The Emmy-winning voice actor has died at 46.
As spotted on Complex, Bauza’s family announced his death Sunday (Oct. 25) in a statement posted to his Instagram account. Variety reports that Bauza died at his home from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, citing records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. His family described his passing as sudden and said more information would follow.
Born Dec. 7, 1979, in Scarborough, Toronto, Bauza was the son of Filipino immigrants. His interest in animation began when he watched classic cartoons as a child, with the original Looney Tunes performances shaping his ambitions. He graduated from Centennial College in 2000 and went on to build his career in Hollywood.
His path to the microphone started on the drawing board. Bauza worked as a character designer and layout artist, helping translate storyboards into poses animators could bring to life. His first acting credit came with The Ripping Friends in 2001, and he eventually accumulated more than 400 acting credits.
Bauza’s connection to Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck became a defining part of that career. On Looney Tunes Cartoons and Bugs Bunny Builders, he carried forward voices made famous by Mel Blanc while introducing those characters to younger viewers. His repertoire also included Tweety, Marvin the Martian, Porky Pig and other members of the franchise’s roster.
For Bauza, the job demanded more than a convincing impression. Speaking to the Toronto Guardian in 2023, he explained, “It’s not just about funny voices. You have to really care about the characters. You have to believe in Bugs Bunny.” That commitment earned him three Children’s & Family Emmy Awards for Outstanding Voice Performance in an Animated Program. He won for Looney Tunes Cartoons in 2022, Bugs Bunny Builders in 2023, and his performances as Bugs and Daffy on Teen Titans Go! in 2025.
His reach extended well beyond Warner Bros.’ signature characters. Bauza voiced the title character in The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Baby Fozzie in Disney Junior’s Muppet Babies, and Woody Woodpecker in Universal’s feature film. His television résumé also included The Fairly OddParents, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Bob’s Burgers and Rick and Morty. Moviegoers heard him in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, The Book of Life and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water.
He also contributed multiple voices to Space Jam: A New Legacy and portrayed both Daffy and Porky in The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie. More recently, he voiced numerous characters in Coyote vs. Acme, another showcase of his ability to move between distinct personalities within the same film.
Warner Bros. Television Group and U.S. Networks chairman Channing Dungey remembered Bauza as an artist who “brought joy and laughter to millions around the world.” In a statement, she also recognized his 15 years with Warner Bros. Animation and his commitment to continuing the Looney Tunes legacy.
Details of a funeral, memorial service, or public celebration of life were not immediately available as of Monday (Oct. 26). His family said further information would be shared. HipHopWired extends its condolences to Bauza’s family, friends, and colleagues.
Below, you can see the outpouring of condolences and reactions to Bauza’s tragic passing.
