Eric Bauza dies at 46, and animation has lost one of its most familiar voices. The Emmy-winning performer behind the modern Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck passed away suddenly on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at his home in Los Angeles. His family shared the news on his official Instagram account that evening.
Eric Bauza dies at 46, and animation has lost one of its most familiar voices. The Emmy-winning performer behind the modern Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck passed away suddenly on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at his home in Los Angeles. His family shared the news on his official Instagram account that 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 statement said. “More details to come.”
What we know about how Eric Bauza dies
Here, it helps to separate what is confirmed from what is reported. His family confirmed the death itself and described it as sudden. They did not share further details in their first statement.
Meanwhile, Variety’s reporting, cited by Empire and other outlets, points to Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records listing hypertensive cardiovascular disease as the cause of death. That is a heart condition linked to long-term high blood pressure. Several outlets, including Radio Times, have since repeated that reporting. However, the family has not yet released a fuller statement, so treat the medical detail as reported, not as a family announcement.
Bauza is survived by his wife, Jessica, and their son.
Warner Bros. pays tribute to Eric Bauza
Channing Dungey, chair of Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, led the studio tributes. In a statement reported by the Hollywood Reporter, she said: “Eric Bauza was a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world.”
She added that Bauza followed in the footsteps of giants like Mel Blanc. In addition, she noted that Bauza himself called carrying on the Looney Tunes legacy one of the greatest honors of his life. Producer Chris DeFaria, who worked with Bauza on Coyote vs. Acme, also praised his dedication to animation.
From a Scarborough fan to the voice of Bugs Bunny
Bauza was born on December 7, 1979, in Scarborough, a district of Toronto, Canada. He was of Filipino descent, and his father and grandfather loved classic cartoons. As a child, he copied Looney Tunes voices for fun. In short, he grew up inside the very world he would later lead.
He first trained as an artist, not a voice actor. He graduated from Centennial College in 2000 and worked in animation production before moving into voice work. His first voice credit came in 2001, on The Ripping Friends.
| Year | Milestone in Eric Bauza’s career |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Graduates from Centennial College in Toronto |
| 2021 | Voices Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd and Foghorn Leghorn in Space Jam: A New Legacy |
| 2022–2025 | Wins three Children’s and Family Emmy Awards |
| 2026 | Stars in Coyote vs. Acme and Forgotten Island; in pre-production on two more projects |
Over 15 years at Warner Bros. Animation, Bauza became the modern voice of a whole cast: Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Marvin the Martian, Yosemite Sam, and the Road Runner. He shared the Bugs Bunny role at times with Jeff Bergman, but for a generation of young viewers, Bauza was Bugs.
Eric Bauza’s Emmy wins and biggest roles
Bauza won three Children’s and Family Emmy Awards for outstanding voice performance. The first, in 2022, was the category’s first-ever award for Looney Tunes Cartoons. He then won for Bugs Bunny Builders and for Teen Titans Go!. He also earned five Daytime Emmy nominations across Looney Tunes Cartoons, Muppet Babies, and The Adventures of Puss in Boots.
Beyond the Looney Tunes roster, his range was huge. He voiced Puss in Boots in The Adventures of Puss in Boots and Baby Fozzie in Disney’s Muppet Babies revival. He also worked on Avatar: The Last Airbender, Rick and Morty, and Bob’s Burgers. In film, he played the Toad General in The Super Mario Bros. Movie and its sequel.
What’s next: Bauza’s final projects
At the time of his death, Bauza was in pre-production on two projects. The first was Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical, in which he was set to voice Daffy Duck. The second was The Dragon Masters, in which he was set to voice the Shogun King.
No decision has been announced for either role yet. For now, fans can revisit his finished work: Coyote vs. Acme, released earlier in 2026, features nearly a dozen Bauza characters, and Forgotten Island includes his final feature-film performances.
Finally, his legacy is easy to hear. Put on Looney Tunes Cartoons and you hear a performer who did not just imitate Mel Blanc. He kept those characters alive for a new generation.
We will update this story as more details emerge. See also Lua Blanco, Tom Skerritt, and Derek Hough’s farewell to his dog Romie. For background on Bauza’s full career, see his Wikipedia biography and the TBS News report on his death.
