Voice actor Eric Bauza, known for voicing Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck in recent years, has died at the age of 46. The news was confirmed by his family, as reported by Deadline.
Bauza was the most recent voice for some of the most iconic Looney Tunes characters, including his work this very year on the acclaimed Coyote vs. Acme. His work made him the direct heir to the legacy of Mel Blanc, the original actor who brought these characters to life for decades.
An heir to Mel Blanc recognized with three Emmy Awards
Channing Dungey, chair of Warner Bros. Television Group and the group's U.S. networks, issued a statement following the news. In it, she highlighted that Bauza followed in the footsteps of giants like Mel Blanc and described him as an incomparable talent.
The full statement from Dungey reads: Eric Bauza was a unique vocal talent who brought joy and laughter to millions of people around the world. During his 15 years at Warner Bros. Animation, he was the voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, among many other characters. He followed in the footsteps of giants like Mel Blanc. Eric said that continuing the legendary legacy of Looney Tunes was one of the greatest honors of his life. In addition to his incredible talent, Eric was a beloved part of our animation family. Our deepest condolences to his loved ones.
Filling the shoes of Mel Blanc on Looney Tunes was no easy task, but Bauza did so with distinction for years, winning three Emmy Awards throughout his career.
The Looney Tunes characters he voiced
In addition to Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, Bauza played other iconic Looney Tunes characters such as Tweety, Foghorn Leghorn, Pepé Le Pew, Porky Pig, Road Runner, Elmer Fudd, and Marvin the Martian.
He also performed many of these characters in Space Jam: A New Legacy and the series Looney Tunes Cartoons. It was for his work on the latter production that Bauza won the first Children's and Family Emmy Award in 2022 for the category of Outstanding Voice Performance in an Animated Program.
In 2024, he won the same award again, this time for his work on Teen Titans Go!. A year earlier, in 2023, he had received the Emmy for Outstanding Voice Performance in a Preschool Program for Bugs Bunny Builders.
A career beyond Looney Tunes
Bauza's work extended far beyond the Looney Tunes universe. The actor also voiced Stimpy, the animated version of Luke Skywalker, Puss in Boots, Bam-Bam Rubble, Donatello, Leonardo, the animated version of Jason Bourne, Robert Big Bob Belcher, Jimmy Pesto Sr., Woody Woodpecker, Two-Face, Bane, Jimmy Olsen, and Aquaman.
Among many other projects to which he lent his talent are The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the series Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Fairly OddParents, Phineas and Ferb, Rick and Morty, Ultimate Spider-Man, Teen Titans Go!, The Tom and Jerry Show, The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show, Lego Star Wars, Transformers: Robots in Disguise, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Powerpuff Girls, Muppet Babies, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Krapopolis, and X-Men '97.
Frequently asked questions about Eric Bauza
Who was Eric Bauza?
Eric Bauza was a voice actor who worked for 15 years at Warner Bros. Animation, where he became the primary voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, as well as many other characters from Looney Tunes and animation in general.
At what age did Eric Bauza die?
Eric Bauza died at the age of 46. His family confirmed the news, although the available information does not detail the cause of death.
What Emmy Awards did Eric Bauza win?
Bauza won three Emmy Awards throughout his career: in 2022 for Looney Tunes Cartoons, in 2023 for Bugs Bunny Builders, and in 2024 for Teen Titans Go!, all in categories for voice performance in animation.
Which other characters besides Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck did Eric Bauza work on?
Among other characters, Bauza voiced Tweety, Foghorn Leghorn, Pepé Le Pew, Porky Pig, Road Runner, Elmer Fudd, Marvin the Martian, Stimpy, Puss in Boots, Donatello, Leonardo, Woody Woodpecker, Two-Face, Bane, Jimmy Olsen, and Aquaman, among many others.
What did Warner Bros. say about the death of Eric Bauza?
Channing Dungey, chair of Warner Bros. Television Group and the group's U.S. networks, described Bauza as a unique and incomparable talent, noting that he followed in the footsteps of giants like Mel Blanc during his 15 years at Warner Bros. Animation.
