Eric Bauza, Voice of Bugs Bunny, Dies at 46 After Sudden Collapse

Eric Bauza, the actor who provided voices for Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig, has died. His family announced the news in a statement posted to Instagram, describing his death as sudden. Variety reported that the cause of death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease and that Bauza died at his home on Sunday.

Bauza, who was 46, was born in Ontario and was of Filipino descent. He rose to prominence for his work on the Looney Tunes franchise. In a 2021 interview with NBC News, he recalled copying the character voices as a child. "Looney Tunes transcends all languages and all cultures," he said. "It doesn't matter what part of the planet you're from. You get the comedy."

His recent film work includes the animated hit Coyote vs. Acme, which premiered this summer, and the release Forgotten Island. He also voiced Toad General in The Super Mario Bros. Movie and its sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The sequel became the fifth highest-grossing film internationally this year.

Bauza received three Emmy awards for outstanding voice performance between 2022 and 2025. He reprised his roles from 2021's Space Jam: A New Legacy in Coyote vs. Acme, adding the character Road Runner to his lineup.

Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, offered a tribute reported by the Hollywood Reporter. "Eric Bauza was a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world," Dungey said. "He followed in the footsteps of giants like Mel Blanc. Eric said that carrying on the legendary legacy of the Looney Tunes was among the greatest honors of his life."

Bauza’s next scheduled appearance was not listed in the initial reports of his passing.