Eric Bauza, the Canadian voice actor best known in recent years as the voice of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and dozens of other iconic animated characters, has died unexpectedly at the age of 46.
His family announced his death on 25 October through a post on his Instagram account.
According to CBS Los Angeles, Bauza died from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, citing information from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Bauza was widely regarded as one of the most prominent voice actors of his generation and became closely associated with some of the most recognisable characters in animation history.
Successor to the Looney Tunes legacy
In addition to Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, Bauza also voiced:
- Tweety
- Porky Pig
- Marvin the Martian
- Road Runner
Through those performances, he carried forward the legacy of legendary voice actor Mel Blanc, whose work helped define the classic Looney Tunes characters.
From animator to award-winning voice actor
Born on 7 December 1979 in Scarborough, Toronto, Bauza began his career in animation as a character designer before moving into voice acting.
Over the course of his career, he contributed to hundreds of television and film productions, including:
- Teen Titans Go!
- The Adventures of Puss in Boots
- Muppet Babies
His work earned him three Emmy Awards, including recognition for his performances in:
- Looney Tunes Cartoons
- Bugs Bunny Builders
- Teen Titans Go!
A particularly significant chapter of his career was his roughly 15-year collaboration with Warner Bros. Animation, during which he helped introduce classic characters to new generations of viewers while preserving their original spirit.
Tributes from colleagues
The news of his death prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and industry figures.
His manager, Judy Coppage, described his sudden passing as a shock and remembered him as a remarkably talented and beloved person.
Channing Dungey, chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group, praised Bauza's contribution to animation and his ability to continue the artistic legacy established by pioneers such as Mel Blanc.
Active until the end
Bauza remained professionally active up until his death and was involved in several upcoming projects, including "Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical."
While his face may not have been familiar to most viewers, his voice accompanied countless hours of entertainment for audiences around the world.
With his passing, the world of Looney Tunes loses one of the most influential modern performers to bring its beloved characters to life.
