46: Age of Eric Bauza, Voice of Bugs Bunny, Who Died Suddenly
The Emmy-winning actor, who voiced Looney Tunes icons and Mario characters, died suddenly of hypertensive cardiovascular disease at his home.
By Megan Adeyemi ·
Voice actor Eric Bauza has died at the age of 46.
His family announced the news on Instagram, stating that the performer died suddenly. Variety reported that the cause of death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease. He died at his home on Sunday.
Bauza was born in Ontario to Filipino parents. As a child, he grew up imitating the voices of Looney Tunes characters. In a 2021 interview with NBC News, he described the appeal of the cartoons. He said, "Looney Tunes transcends all languages and all cultures. It doesn't matter what part of the planet you're from. You get the comedy."
He voiced Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, and Foghorn Leghorn in the 2021 film Space Jam: A New Legacy. He returned to those roles in Coyote vs. Acme, which was released earlier this year. In that film, he also voiced Road Runner. He appeared in another recent release titled Forgotten Island.
Outside the Looney Tunes franchise, Bauza played Toad General in the 2023 film The Super Mario Bros. Movie. He reprised the role in its sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. That film is currently the fifth highest-grossing release internationally this year.
From 2022 through 2025, Bauza received three Emmy awards for outstanding voice performance in various television series. Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, paid tribute to him in a statement. She called him a unique voice talent who brought joy to millions. She noted that he followed the legacy of Mel Blanc and that carrying on the history of Looney Tunes was one of the greatest honors of his life.
Bauza’s death ends a career defined by iconic animation roles. He leaves behind a body of work that spans major film franchises and television series.
Source: BBC News
