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Eric Bauza, the voice behind iconic “Looney Tunes” characters including Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, has died, Fox News Digital has confirmed.
Bauza died Sunday of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner. He was 46 years old.
Beginning in 2001, Bauza amassed more than 400 voice acting credits during a career that voiced beloved characters from the Looney Tunes animated series, including “Puss in Boots,” “The Muppet Babies,” “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and countless others.
The voice actor’s family confirmed his death on Instagram, but did not share any additional details.
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Eric Bauza participates in the “Space Jam: A New Legacy” evening on June 29, 2021. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Fox News Digital has reached out to Bauza’s representative.
Bauza’s first breakthrough came when he voiced Stimpy in the 2003 series “Ren & Stimpy: Adult Party Cartoon”, reprising the character previously voiced by Billy West.
He has become one of Hollywood’s most recognizable voice talents, particularly through his work continuing the legacy of legendary Looney Tunes performer Mel Blanc.
“I’m a fan of this franchise, of this group of characters, first and foremost. Mel Blanc will always be the original gangsta, the godfather of voiceover,” Bauza told Fox News Digital in 2020. “He was the first voice actor credited on screen as a voice actor. They never did that back then. And we’re talking about the ’30s and ’40s.”
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Eric Bauza has voiced several iconic “Looney Tunes” characters, including Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, and appeared in films such as “Space Jam: A New Legacy” and “Coyote vs. Acme.” (Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images)
“So he really paved the way to show the importance of vocal performance, not on camera. And the fact that we’re sitting here now talking about his performance shows you how incredible and impactful and influential his sound is.”
Bauza’s Looney Tunes work included feature films such as “Space Jam: A New Legacy” (2021), “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie” (2024) and “Coyote vs. Acme” this year. Bauza has won three Children’s and Family Emmy Awards during her career.
Beyond bringing Bugs Bunny to life on screen, Bauza deeply appreciated the character’s roots and what made him so beloved by generations of fans. Reflecting on Bugs Bunny’s signature personality, Bauza once explained how the character’s unmistakable New York accent came to be.
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Eric Bauza once explained that Bugs Bunny’s signature accent was inspired by a combination of Brooklyn and Bronx accents, a creative decision made by original voice actor Mel Blanc. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
“And if you’re wondering where (Bugs Bunny) got that accent, they say he’s a naughty bunny,” Bauza told Fox News Digital. “So (Mel) thought he had to be a tough character. And there’s no one tougher than a New Yorker, that’s what he said. He said it was either Brooklyn or the Bronx. He mixed the two together, those accents. That’s why he kind of has that street talk.”
“I think he represents everyone, every rabbit,” he added. “He doesn’t have a lot of demands in life. All he wants is a carrot and a nice afternoon where no one bothers him. And if you’re on his bad side, that’s when you have to be careful. That’s when he becomes a crook. But really, he’s just a bunny, nothing to him. I think that’s why he’s so attractive. And I think that’s why when he gets in trouble, people want him to succeed.”
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Eric Bauza has won three Children’s and Family Emmy Awards during his career as a voice actor. (Tommasso Boddi/Getty Images)
With hundreds of voice acting credits in television, film and video games, Bauza has built a career introducing classic cartoon characters to new generations while creating his own memorable performances.
His work has helped keep some of animation’s most enduring characters alive for modern audiences.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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