Eric Bauza, best known for playing lovable “Looney Tunes” characters Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, has died, his family announced Monday.
He was 46 years old.
Bauza’s family released a brief statement on his official Instagram page stating that he had “passed away suddenly”, without giving further details.
The Emmy Award-winning voice actor was the “modern voice of iconic Looney Tunes characters Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, as well as dozens of other beloved cartoon characters,” the release said.
Bauza died Sunday at his home, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office, which noted that he was diagnosed with hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
“Eric was a unique and versatile voice actor who was loved by everyone he knew and worked with,” his manager, Judy Coppage, told NBC News via email.
“His sudden passing is a shock to all of us, and we will miss him deeply. It is a profound loss for his family, the animation industry and his fans,” Coppage added. “The thrill of watching him succeed and excel to become one of the most accomplished voices in the animation industry was rewarding and exciting. »
The Canadian-American won three Emmy Awards between 2022 and 2025 for his work, including for voicing characters such as Elmer Fudd, Marvin the Martian and Tweety.
He was also the first person of color to voice Bugs Bunny in the “Looney Tunes” cartoons, which, he told NBC News in a 2021 interview, led to an outpouring of encouragement and adoration from the Asian American community.
“Looney Tunes transcends all languages and cultures,” he said at the time. “It doesn’t matter what part of the planet you’re from. You get the comedy.”
Bauza said he grew up being a big fan of “Looney Tunes,” noting that the classic cartoons were part of the bond between his father and his Filipino immigrant grandfather. He also said that his obsessive attention to detail and perseverance formed the basis of his craft, as he grew up imitating cartoon voices.
Bauza also voiced some of the biggest animated characters in the 2021 film “Space Jam: A New Legacy” and appeared in the “Super Mario Bros.” Movie” of 2023 and, more recently, in the film “Coyote vs. Acme” of 2026.
He has also lent his voice to characters such as Stimpy Cat in “Ren & Stimpy,” Foop from “The Fairly OddParents,” Fozzie Bear from “Muppet Babies” and the Beagle Boys from “DuckTales,” according to his IMDb page.
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