Eric Bauza, voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, dies at 46
Eric Bauza, the voice actor who took over Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and other Looney Tunes characters for a new generation, died Sunday at his home, according to Los Angeles County medical examiner records reported by Variety. He was 46. The records list the cause as hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Bauza, born in Toronto, had more than 400 credits and won three Children's & Family Emmy Awards. He was working on a Looney Tunes musical at the time of his death.
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What happened
Eric Bauza died Sunday at his home of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, according to Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records cited by Variety. He was 46. His family announced the death on his Instagram account, saying he "has passed away suddenly" and that "more details" would come.
Why it matters
Bauza was the voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck for today's children, in a line that runs back to Mel Blanc, and he was busy: Variety counted at least six projects he voiced in 2026 alone. His death leaves Warner Bros. to recast its best-known characters with a musical already in the works.
More context
His career: Born Dec. 7, 1979, in Scarborough, Toronto, Bauza had more than 400 credits, starting with "The Ripping Friends" in 2001. In 15 years at Warner Bros. Animation he voiced Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, along with Tweety, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Porky Pig and Road Runner in this year's "Coyote vs. Acme." He also worked on "Avatar: The Last Airbender," "Chowder" and "Space Jam: A New Legacy." He won three Children's & Family Emmy Awards, for "Teen Titans Go!," "Bugs Bunny Builders" and "Looney Tunes Cartoons," and earned five Daytime Emmy nominations.
The tributes: "He followed in the footsteps of giants like Mel Blanc," said Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks. "Eric said that carrying on the legendary legacy of the Looney Tunes was among the greatest honors of his life." Chris DeFaria, who produced "Coyote vs. Acme," told Variety he would remember Bauza's "absolutely tireless dedication" to animation.
Unfinished work: Bauza was in pre-production on "Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical," as Daffy Duck, and "The Dragon Masters," as the Shogun King. Warner Bros. has not said how those projects will proceed.
What's still unknown: Funeral or memorial plans had not been announced as of Monday morning, and Warner Bros. had not said who will voice the characters going forward.
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Editorial sourcing notes
Published Monday, Oct. 26. Cause of death is from the Los Angeles County medical examiner as reported by Variety.
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