LOS ANGELES, California — October 26, 2026. Eric Bauza, the Emmy Award-winning Canadian voice actor who brought some of the most recognizable Looney Tunes characters to life, died Sunday, October 25, at his home in Los Angeles County. He was 46.
His family confirmed his sudden death in a statement shared on his official Instagram account. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Bauza died from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, and his death was classified as natural.
FAMILY CONFIRMS SUDDEN DEATH OF BELOVED VOICE ACTOR
Bauza’s family announced his passing Sunday evening, identifying him as the modern voice behind Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and numerous other beloved animated characters.
The announcement described his death as sudden and indicated that additional details would be shared later.
His manager, Judy Coppage, also confirmed his passing, remembering him as a versatile performer who was deeply appreciated by colleagues and friends throughout the entertainment industry.
The announcement prompted an outpouring of condolences from fellow voice actors, animation professionals and fans who had followed his career for more than two decades.
MEDICAL EXAMINER REVEALS CAUSE OF DEATH
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined that Bauza died from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, a condition associated with damage to the heart and blood vessels caused by prolonged high blood pressure.
The medical examiner classified his death as natural.
According to additional reporting on the medical examiner’s findings, sleep apnea and class 2 obesity were identified as significant contributing conditions.
No evidence of foul play has been reported, and authorities have not indicated that his death is being treated as suspicious.
Bauza’s sudden passing has drawn attention to the seriousness of cardiovascular disease, although the official findings do not establish when his underlying conditions first developed.
THE MODERN VOICE OF BUGS BUNNY AND DAFFY DUCK
Bauza became widely recognized for his performances as Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, continuing the legacy of characters originally made famous by legendary voice actor Mel Blanc.
His work extended across the Looney Tunes universe, where he also voiced Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, Marvin the Martian, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn and Road Runner.
His performances appeared in productions including Looney Tunes Cartoons, Bugs Bunny Builders, Space Jam: A New Legacy and The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie.
Bauza was also involved in Coyote vs. Acme, a project that attracted considerable attention after Warner Bros. initially decided against releasing it.
For Bauza, performing these characters represented a professional milestone, as he had grown up admiring the original Looney Tunes performances.
MORE THAN 400 CREDITS ACROSS ANIMATION
Born on December 7, 1979, in Scarborough, Ontario, Bauza was raised in a Filipino-Canadian family and developed an early interest in animation and voice performance.
He began working professionally in the early 2000s and went on to build an extensive career spanning television, movies and video games.
His credits included Teen Titans Go!, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Muppet Babies, The Adventures of Puss in Boots and numerous other animated productions.
Throughout his career, he worked with major entertainment companies including Warner Bros., Disney, DreamWorks and Cartoon Network.
With more than 400 acting credits, Bauza became one of the industry’s most prolific and versatile voice performers.
THREE EMMY AWARDS MARKED HIS CAREER
Bauza received three Children’s and Family Emmy Awards for his work in animation.
His award-winning performances included contributions to Looney Tunes Cartoons, Bugs Bunny Builders and Teen Titans Go!
The recognition reflected his ability to adapt his voice to established characters while maintaining the distinctive personalities that made them recognizable to audiences across generations.
His achievements also helped highlight the importance of professional voice actors in an industry increasingly shaped by new animation technologies and changing production practices.
COLLEAGUES AND FANS REMEMBER HIS LEGACY
Following the announcement of his death, fellow performers and collaborators shared tributes celebrating Bauza’s talent, humor and generosity.
Voice actor Jim Cummings and other animation professionals were among those who publicly expressed their condolences.
Colleagues remembered Bauza not only for his remarkable vocal range but also for his enthusiasm for animation and his willingness to support fellow artists.
His passing represents a significant loss for the voice acting community, particularly for the artists and productions associated with the modern Looney Tunes franchise.
A LASTING LEGACY IN ANIMATION
Bauza’s career connected generations of viewers through characters that have remained central to American animation for decades.
His interpretations of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and other familiar personalities introduced those characters to new audiences while honoring their original performances.
The actor leaves behind an extensive body of work across film, television and interactive entertainment.
As the animation industry mourns his death, Bauza’s performances will continue to be heard in the productions that defined his career and brought laughter to millions of viewers around the world.
