Voice of Bugs Bunny Eric Bauza dies at 46

Eric Bauza, the voice artist behind Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, died Sunday at the age of 46. Variety reports the cause of death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The announcement was made by his family via Instagram, where they stated he died suddenly.

Bauza held a prominent position in the animated film market through the end of the year. He reprised his roles as Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, and Road Runner in the summer release Coyote vs. Acme. That film joins recent projects such as Forgotten Island. His work extended to the Super Mario franchise, where he voiced Toad General in the 2023 film and its sequel. The sequel became the fifth highest-grossing film internationally in 2026.

The actor’s industry recognition included three Emmy awards for outstanding voice performance between 2022 and 2025. He originated these roles in the 2021 film Space Jam: A New Legacy. Born in Ontario and of Filipino descent, Bauza cited his childhood fandom of the characters as his primary motivation. In a 2021 NBC News interview, he noted that the comedy of Looney Tunes transcends language and culture.

Industry leaders have responded to the news. Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, released a statement through the Hollywood Reporter. Dungey described Bauza as a unique talent who followed in the footsteps of Mel Blanc. Bauza had previously stated that carrying on the legacy of the Looney Tunes was among the greatest honors of his life.