Bauza, Bugs Bunny Voice, Dies at 46

Eric Bauza is dead.

Bauza died at the age of 46. His family shared the news on Instagram, describing his passing as sudden. Variety reported that he died at home on Sunday. The outlet identified the cause as hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

Bauza was born in Ontario and raised on Looney Tunes cartoons. As a child, he mimicked the voices of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig. He later turned that childhood habit into a professional career. In 2021, he told NBC News that the cartoons worked because they transcended language and culture. He said the comedy was universal.

His work in that franchise gained wide attention in 2021 with Space Jam: A New Legacy. He voiced Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, and Foghorn Leghorn in that film. He returned to those roles in Coyote vs. Acme, which released this summer. In that movie, he also voiced the Road Runner. He appeared in the recent film Forgotten Island as well.

Bauza expanded his voice acting career beyond the Warner Bros. universe. He played Toad General in The Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023. He reprised the role in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. That sequel is currently the fifth highest-grossing film internationally this year.

The industry recognized his talent with three Emmy awards. He won for outstanding voice performance in television series between 2022 and 2025. Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, paid tribute to him. She noted that Bauza brought joy to millions and followed in the footsteps of Mel Blanc. Bauza had previously described carrying on the Looney Tunes legacy as one of the greatest honors of his life.

Bauza leaves behind a body of work that spans two decades. His voice defined the modern era of the Looney Tunes characters for many viewers. He also brought a distinct personality to the Toad General role in the Mario films. His three Emmy wins marked his peak years in television voice acting. The news of his death has been confirmed by his family and industry reports.