Family says Eric Bauza, the voice of Bugs Bunny, died at home
The Emmy-winning actor died suddenly at home on Sunday; Variety reported the cause was hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
By Nicholas Reed ·
Eric Bauza, the voice actor behind Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig, has died at age 46. His family announced the news in an Instagram statement, describing his passing as sudden. According to Variety, Bauza died at home on Sunday, and the cause was listed as hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
Bauza was born in Ontario to a Filipino family. He grew up imitating the voices of Looney Tunes characters. In a 2021 interview with NBC News, he explained his connection to the cartoons. "Looney Tunes transcends all languages and all cultures," he said. "It doesn't matter what part of the planet you're from. You get the comedy."
His recent film work included Coyote vs. Acme, an animated release from this summer. In that film, he voiced Road Runner, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, and Foghorn Leghorn. He also appeared in the recent release Forgotten Island. His performance in the 2021 film Space Jam: A New Legacy brought his Looney Tunes work to a new generation of viewers.
Beyond the Looney Tunes franchise, Bauza voiced Toad General in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) and its sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The sequel is currently the fifth highest-grossing film internationally this year.
From 2022 to 2025, Bauza won three Emmy Awards for outstanding voice performance across various television series. Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, paid tribute to him in a statement reported by the Hollywood Reporter. She described him as a unique talent who brought joy and laughter to millions.
"He followed in the footsteps of giants like Mel Blanc," Dungey added. "Eric said that carrying on the legendary legacy of the Looney Tunes was among the greatest honors of his life."
Source: BBC News
