Eric Bauza, the Emmy Award-winning voice actor known for bringing iconic Looney Tunes characters Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck to life, has died at the age of 46. He died at his home on Sunday, with records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner citing hypertensive cardiovascular disease as the cause of death.
Bauza’s family announced his sudden death through a statement shared on his Instagram account on Sunday, saying that further details would be shared later.
The statement read, “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.”
A Career Spanning More Than 400 Acting Credits
Bauza built a successful career in animation, voicing several well-known cartoon characters, including Tweety, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Porky Pig and Road Runner. He also appeared in projects such as Space Jam: A New Legacy and the upcoming film Coyote vs. Acme.
With more than 400 acting credits to his name, Bauza began his career in 2001 with the animated series The Ripping Friends. He later lent his voice to popular shows such as Avatar: The Last Airbender, Chowder, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, Ben 10: Omniverse, and Rick and Morty.
Born on December 7, 1979, in Scarborough, Toronto, Bauza initially worked as a character designer at a Hollywood production studio before establishing himself as one of the animation industry's recognised voice actors.
Awards And Final Projects
Bauza received five Daytime Emmy Award nominations for his work on Looney Tunes Cartoons, Muppet Babies and The Adventures of Puss in Boots, according to Variety. He also won three Children's and Family Emmy Awards for his contributions to Teen Titans Go!, Bugs Bunny Builders and Looney Tunes Cartoons.
At the time of his death, he was working on two projects: Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical, in which he was set to voice Daffy Duck, and The Dragon Masters, in which he was expected to voice the Shogun King.
Chris DeFaria, producer of Coyote vs. Acme, paid tribute to Bauza, recalling his talent, enthusiasm and commitment to the film. Speaking to Variety, DeFaria said Bauza embodied the film's central message that an ordinary individual could make a difference.
Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks Chairman Channing Dungey also remembered the actor for the happiness he brought to audiences worldwide.
“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, as quoted by Variety.