On a quiet Sunday, the animation world lost a voice that had become part of childhood for generations: Eric Bauza, who gave life to Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, died at 46 of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. His passing lands on a tradition that stretches back nearly a century, a chain of performers each passing the same mischievous characters to the next, and his place in that line now becomes a memory for those who grew up with him. What remains is the sound of his characters, which will keep speaking to audiences long after the man beh
Eric Bauza, Voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, Dies at 46
Voice actor Eric Bauza died at age 46 from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, leaving his family and colleagues in mourning.
As he got older, he felt more like Daffy Duck.
Mark
Why does this one land so hard for people who may not know his name?
Mimi
Because they know his voices. Bugs, Daffy, Porky, Tweety, Road Runner. Over 15 years at Warner Bros. Animation, he carried characters people have known for generations.
Luke
Let's be clear on what's confirmed. The manager announced the death, and the LA County Medical Examiner gave the cause as hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
Mark
And the family?
Mimi
They posted a short statement on his Instagram page and said more details would come later.
Luke
So beyond the cause, we don't know much. Nothing here covers the circumstances, and I'd resist filling that in.
Mark
What did he think of the role?
Mimi
He called Mel Blanc the blueprint and the characters like your oldest family members. Warner Bros. said he considered carrying on the legacy among the greatest honors of his life.
Luke
That last part is the studio relaying what he said, not a direct quote from him. His own words come from the August CBS LA interview.
Mark
Any detail that stays with you?
Mimi
Bugs was his favorite to voice, but as he got older he felt more like Daffy.
Le Pouls
- A sudden death at 46 has jolted the animation community, leaving colleagues and fans struggling to absorb the news.
- Bauza's voice carried Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety and many other Looney Tunes characters, so his absence is felt in living rooms and studios alike.
- His manager, his family and Warner Bros. have moved quickly to confirm the facts and honor his work with statements.
- The family has promised further details, and tributes from fans and fellow performers are already gathering as the story settles into mourning.
On a quiet Sunday, the animation world lost a voice that had become part of childhood for generations: Eric Bauza, who gave life to Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, died at 46 of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. His passing lands on a tradition that stretches back nearly a century, a chain of performers each passing the same mischievous characters to the next, and his place in that line now becomes a memory for those who grew up with him. What remains is the sound of his characters, which will keep speaking to audiences long after the man behind them has gone quiet.
Eric Bauza, the actor who gave voice to Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, died on Sunday at the age of 46. His manager, Judy Coppage, confirmed the news, and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner attributed his death to hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Coppage described him as a unique and versatile performer, loved by everyone who worked with him, and said his sudden passing is a shock to his family, the animation industry and his many fans.
Bauza's career spanned more than 400 credits. Across the Looney Tunes catalog he voiced Porky Pig, Pepé Le Pew, Marvin the Martian, Elmer Fudd, Tweety Bird and Road Runner, alongside Bugs and Daffy. Beyond Warner Bros., he lent his voice to Avatar: The Last Airbender, Puss in Boots, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Bob's Burgers and Teen Titans Go!, among others.
The industry honored his range with Children's and Family Emmy Awards in 2022, 2023 and 2025, and another nomination in 2026. Warner Bros. leaders Channing Dungey and Bill Damaschke called him a treasured member of the studio's animation family, one who followed in the footsteps of Mel Blanc and considered carrying on the Looney Tunes legacy one of the greatest honors of his life.
In August, Bauza had spoken fondly of that legacy, describing the characters as personalities audiences have known for 90 years. His family has promised more details soon, and tributes from colleagues and fans are expected to follow.
Eric Bauza, the actor who gave voice to Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, died on Sunday at the age of 46. His manager, Judy Coppage, confirmed the death. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner attributed it to hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
Coppage described him as a unique and versatile voice actor who was loved by everyone who knew and worked with him. His sudden passing, she said, is a shock to all of them, and a profound loss for his family, the animation industry and his fans. His family posted a brief statement on his Instagram page and said more details would come later. Bauza was born in Canada.
His IMDb page lists more than 400 acting credits. Within the Looney Tunes catalog, he is credited with voicing Porky Pig, Pepé Le Pew, Marvin the Martian, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Tweety Bird and Road Runner, in addition to Bugs and Daffy. He also voiced characters in the most recent Space Jam film, which featured LeBron James.
His work reached well beyond Warner Bros. He was known for voice roles on Avatar: The Last Airbender, Puss in Boots, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Woody Woodpecker, Bob's Burgers and Teen Titans Go!
The industry recognized the range. Bauza won Children's and Family Emmy Awards in 2022, 2023 and 2025, and was nominated again in 2026. He had also been nominated for five Daytime Emmy Awards between 2016 and 2021.
Warner Bros. Chairman Channing Dungey and Bill Damaschke, president and chief creative officer of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, issued a joint statement. They called Bauza a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world. In his 15 years at Warner Bros. Animation, they said, he was the voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck among countless other characters, following in the footsteps of giants like Mel Blanc. They added that Bauza said carrying on the legacy of the Looney Tunes was among the greatest honors of his life, and called him a treasured part of the studio's animation family.
Bauza spoke about that legacy in August, when he appeared on CBS LA to discuss his latest film and the newest Looney Tunes installment, Coyote vs. Acme. He called Blanc, the original voice artist, the blueprint of the characters. These are not just voices, he said, but personalities audiences have known for 90 years, like your oldest family members. He said Bugs Bunny was his favorite character to voice, though as he got older, he felt more like Daffy Duck.
The family has said further details will follow, and tributes from colleagues and fans are expected.
Citations marquantes
All of my work is based off of the original voiceover artist, the great Mel Blanc; he was the original. I like to call him the blueprint of these characters.— Eric Bauza, CBS LA interview in August
His sudden passing is a shock to all of us, and he will be deeply missed.— Judy Coppage, Bauza's manager
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