Eric Bauza, voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, dies at 46

Emmy-winning voice actor Eric Bauza, best known for bringing iconic Looney Tunes characters such as Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck to life, has died at the age of 46, his family announced. His death was reported on Monday, October 26, by EFE and other international media outlets.

The Canadian-born performer died unexpectedly on Sunday, October 25, at his home in Los Angeles, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office, Bauza died from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, a condition associated with prolonged high blood pressure. His death was classified as natural.

His family confirmed the news in a statement posted on his official Instagram account, describing him as an Emmy Award-winning performer who had become the modern voice of some of animation's most beloved characters.

Over a career spanning more than two decades, Bauza established himself as one of the entertainment industry's most versatile and sought-after voice actors.

He was particularly celebrated for his work in the Looney Tunes franchise, providing the voices of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety Bird, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Porky Pig and Road Runner.

His performances helped introduce Warner Bros.' classic animated characters to new generations while preserving the distinctive personalities that made them famous.

Bauza also contributed to major animated productions, including Space Jam: A New Legacy, Looney Tunes Cartoons and Coyote vs. Acme.

Beyond Looney Tunes, he worked on numerous television series and films, including Muppet Babies, The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Teen Titans Go! and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Throughout his career, Bauza earned five Daytime Emmy nominations for his voice performances in productions such as Looney Tunes Cartoons, Muppet Babies and The Adventures of Puss in Boots.

He also received three Children's and Family Emmy Awards for his work on Teen Titans Go!, Bugs Bunny Builders and Looney Tunes Cartoons, along with recognition for his performance in Daffy in Wackyland.

His ability to reproduce the voices of classic cartoon characters made him an important successor to legendary voice actor Mel Blanc, whose performances defined the original Looney Tunes universe.

Born in Toronto in December 1979, Bauza developed an early passion for animation and character voices before entering the entertainment industry.

He began his career working in animation production and later transitioned into voice acting, eventually accumulating more than 400 television and film credits.

At the time of his death, Bauza was involved in the early development of two upcoming productions.

These included Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical, in which he was set to voice Daffy Duck, and The Dragon Masters, where he was attached to portray the Shogun King.

Following the announcement of his death, colleagues and representatives from the animation industry paid tribute to his talent and contributions.

Warner Bros. Television Group chairman Channing Dungey praised Bauza's remarkable versatility and his dedication to carrying forward the legacy of the classic Looney Tunes characters.

His manager, Judy Coppage, described his sudden death as a profound loss for his family, colleagues and fans.

Bauza's death marks the loss of one of contemporary animation's most recognizable voice performers, whose work helped keep some of the world's best-known cartoon characters alive for modern audiences.

Photo: Cartoons On The Moon/Facebook