The entertainment world is mourning a shocking loss after Eric Bauza, the Emmy Award-winning actor who brought Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and several other beloved Looney Tunes characters to life, died suddenly at just 46 years old.
Bauza died Sunday, October 25, at his home in Los Angeles County. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, his death was caused by hypertensive cardiovascular disease, a heart condition associated with long-term high blood pressure. His death was classified as natural.
The heartbreaking news was announced by his family in a brief statement shared on his official Instagram account Sunday evening.
“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, adding that more details would follow.
His unexpected passing sent shock waves through the animation industry, where Bauza had become one of the most recognizable and respected voices behind some of television’s most treasured cartoon characters.
Over a remarkable 25-year career, Bauza accumulated more than 400 acting credits, bringing an extraordinary range of animated personalities to life. Along with Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, he voiced Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Marvin the Martian and Road Runner.
His talents extended well beyond Looney Tunes, with appearances in productions including Space Jam: A New Legacy, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Muppet Babies, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated and Teen Titans Go!
Born December 7, 1979, in Toronto, Canada, Bauza developed a fascination with cartoons at an early age. Growing up in a Filipino immigrant family, he spent countless hours imitating the voices he heard on television. As a teenager, he even entertained classmates by delivering school announcements in cartoon voices.
That childhood passion eventually became an extraordinary career. After initially working as a character designer, Bauza transitioned into voice acting and went on to become a modern successor to legendary Looney Tunes performer Mel Blanc.
His accomplishments earned him three Children’s & Family Emmy Awards for his work on Looney Tunes Cartoons, Bugs Bunny Builders and Teen Titans Go!
Bauza remained highly active in Hollywood until his death. In 2026, he worked on several animated productions, including Rick and Morty, SuperKitties and Coyote vs. Acme, a film he had passionately supported after Warner Bros. originally decided not to release it.
He was also attached to upcoming projects, including Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical and The Dragon Masters, making his sudden passing especially painful for colleagues who had expected to continue working with him.
Tributes quickly followed from across the entertainment industry.
Judy Coppage, Bauza’s longtime manager, described his death as a devastating loss for his family, friends and the animation community.
“His sudden passing is a shock to all of us, and he will be deeply missed,” she said.
Warner Bros. Television Group Chairman Channing Dungey also honored Bauza, calling him a uniquely gifted performer who brought laughter to millions of people around the world.
Dungey noted that Bauza considered carrying on the legacy of the Looney Tunes characters one of the greatest honors of his life.
For generations of cartoon fans, Bugs Bunny’s familiar wisecracks and Daffy Duck’s outrageous antics have been a source of laughter. Bauza helped preserve that magic for a new audience while honoring the performers who came before him.
His death leaves an enormous void in the animation industry, but the characters he helped bring to life will continue entertaining audiences for years to come.
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