Eric Bauza, the Emmy-winning voice actor who carried Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck into the modern era, has died at 46. His family announced the news in a post on his Instagram account, and the cause is now on record.
A report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office states that Bauza died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease on Sunday, 25 October. Variety reports he died at his home. As reported by IGN, the family’s statement describes him as the “modern voice” of the two Looney Tunes stars, along with dozens of other cartoon characters, and says he passed away suddenly. It adds that “more details” will follow.
The news came with little warning. KTLA reports that Bauza had posted a photo from the LightBox Expo in Pasadena the day before. Variety notes he was born on 7 December 1979 in Scarborough, Toronto, and it was Variety’s obituary that first carried the medical examiner detail alongside the family’s statement.
His career started with small parts in the 2000s, in projects such as World of Warcraft, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Sims 2 and Chowder. Games followed in the 2010s, including Batman: Arkham City and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. The role that defined him came when he joined the Looney Tunes universe, where IGN says he played Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd and Marvin the Martian. KTLA says he succeeded Mel Blanc as the voice of these characters, and adds Porky Pig, Tweety, Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Leghorn and Road Runner to his list.
One of his last big-screen turns was also one of his most visible. IGN says he reprised Bugs Bunny and other Looney Tunes characters in Coyote vs. Acme, the once-shelved film that reached theatres in August 2026, and the site interviewed him in 2024 about how he fought to save it. Among IGN’s other recent credits for him are Avatar: Seven Havens, High on Life 2 and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Tributes arrived within hours. Phineas and Ferb’s Vincent Martella called him “a titan in our industry”. Winnie the Pooh actor Jim Cummings said in an Instagram reply that he was “such a young kind man”. El Tigre creator Jorge R. Gutierrez, who worked with Bauza on that series, said Bauza made everything he worked on better. Voice actor Robbie Daymond, whom Bauza worked beside every week early in both their careers, wrote in a post on X that Bauza had married him and his wife.
Ghost of Yōtei star Erika Ishii called Bauza a “literal voice for change” and a pioneer in animation and for the Asian American community. Fellow voice actor Josh Keaton wrote that Bauza let his talent speak for itself and made everyone feel like his biggest fan.
Film writer Matt Neglia remembered him as someone who never said no when asked to voice the iconic characters.
What caused Eric Bauza’s death?
KTLA and Variety both cite Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records, which list hypertensive cardiovascular disease. His family’s statement gave no cause and said more details would follow.
Which games did Eric Bauza voice?
According to IGN, his game credits include World of Warcraft, The Sims 2, Batman: Arkham City, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 and High on Life 2.
Where can I hear his most recent work?
IGN lists Coyote vs. Acme, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Invincible and Avatar: Seven Havens among his recent roles. Availability in the UAE and wider region depends on each title’s local release or streaming platform.
