Eric Bauza Looney Tunes voice actor dead at 46 as coroner confirms cause
The three-time Emmy winner behind Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck passed away suddenly at his Los Angeles home after a 25-year career in animation.
Canadian voice actor Eric Bauza, celebrated as the modern voice of iconic Looney Tunes characters including Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, died at his home in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at age 46. Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records cited by Variety confirmed that the cause of death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
Bauza’s family publicly announced his sudden passing in a post on his official Instagram account on October 25: “From the Family of Eric Bauza: 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. More details to come.”
Tributes from Warner Bros. and colleagues
Tributes quickly poured in from across the entertainment and animation community. Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group, paid tribute to Bauza’s 15-year tenure at Warner Bros. Animation in an official statement.
“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 stated. “He followed in the footsteps of giants like Mel Blanc. Eric said that carrying on the legendary legacy of the Looney Tunes was among the greatest honors of his life. In addition to his incredible talent, Eric was a treasured part of our animation family. Our hearts go out to his loved ones.”
Voice actor Vincent Martella expressed his grief, telling IGN, “I’m in complete shock and disbelief. A tremendously talented and kind coworker who I always had great conversations with and learned from. Sending so much love to his family. He was a giant. A titan in our industry.”
A 25-year animation legacy
Born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, on December 7, 1979, Bauza started his career in animation as a character designer and production assistant. He transitioned into voice acting with roles on shows such as The Ripping Friends in 2001 and Ren & Stimpy “Adult Party Cartoon” in 2003. Over a 25-year career, he voiced hundreds of characters across television series, video games, and feature films.
Bauza was widely celebrated for taking on legendary Looney Tunes figures including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety, Elmer Fudd, and Marvin the Martian. His work extended to feature films such as Space Jam: A New Legacy in 2021 and Coyote vs. Acme in 2026, which was released in theaters after being shelved by Warner Bros. Discovery in 2023.
His performances earned him three Children’s & Family Emmy Awards: Outstanding Voice Performance in an Animated Program for Looney Tunes Cartoons in 2022, Outstanding Voice Performance in a Preschool Program for Bugs Bunny Builders in 2023, and Outstanding Voice Performer in a Children’s or Young Teen Program for Teen Titans Go (2024/2025).
What we know and what comes next
Plans for memorial or funeral services have not yet been announced by his family. Outside of an announced Looney Tunes short paired with The Cat in the Hat, the full slate of Bauza’s upcoming posthumous releases has not yet been confirmed.
