The animation world is mourning the loss of Eric Bauza, the award-winning voice actor whose remarkable ability to bring classic cartoon characters to life made him one of the most recognizable talents in modern animation. Bauza, best known for voicing Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and several other beloved Looney Tunes characters, has died at the age of 46.
His family confirmed the news on Sunday, October 25, 2026, through a message shared on his official Instagram account. The announcement described his passing as sudden, although additional details, including the cause of death, have not been released.
For millions of animation fans, Bauza was the voice behind characters that have entertained audiences for generations. His ability to capture the personalities, comedic timing, and unmistakable sounds of the Looney Tunes cast helped preserve an important piece of entertainment history while introducing those characters to younger viewers.
During his approximately 15 years with Warner Bros. Animation, Bauza became one of the principal performers entrusted with continuing the legacy of legendary voice actor Mel Blanc. His performances included Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Marvin the Martian, Tweety Bird, and several other familiar faces from the Looney Tunes universe.
Among his most notable projects was the 2026 film *Coyote vs. Acme*, in which he performed multiple character voices. He also contributed to *Space Jam: A New Legacy* and the animated series *Looney Tunes Cartoons*, demonstrating his ability to move effortlessly between characters with distinctly different voices and personalities.
Warner Bros. Television Group chairman Channing Dungey remembered Bauza as an exceptional performer whose work brought happiness to audiences around the world. In a statement following his death, Dungey emphasized his dedication to the Looney Tunes legacy and his importance to the Warner Bros. Animation family.
Bauza’s career, however, extended far beyond the world of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.
Born on December 7, 1979, in Toronto, Canada, he initially pursued animation through character design before finding success as a voice actor. His creative background eventually helped establish a career spanning television, feature films, advertising, and some of the entertainment industry’s most recognizable animated franchises.
His extensive television credits included *The Adventures of Puss in Boots*, *Muppet Babies*, *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles*, *The Fairly OddParents*, *The Powerpuff Girls*, *Transformers: Robots in Disguise*, *Ultimate Spider-Man*, and *Guardians of the Galaxy*.
He also provided voices for animated films including *The Book of Life*, *The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water*, and *Woody Woodpecker*. More recently, he contributed to DreamWorks Animation’s *Forgotten Island*.
His versatility extended into advertising, where he voiced familiar characters associated with major brands, including Lucky the Leprechaun for Lucky Charms and the Trix Rabbit.
Throughout his career, Bauza earned recognition from the animation industry, receiving nominations for Daytime Emmy, Children’s & Family Emmy, and Annie Awards. His work on *Looney Tunes Cartoons* and other animated productions demonstrated both his vocal range and his ability to give established characters fresh energy without losing their original appeal.
Shortly before his death, Bauza was included in *The Hollywood Reporter’s* inaugural Animation Power List, an acknowledgment of his influence and contributions to the entertainment industry.
He had also been scheduled to attend a Sunday premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s *The Cat in the Hat* in support of *Daffy Season*, an animated short accompanying the film.
Bauza’s death represents a significant loss for the animation community. Few performers have been entrusted with so many characters that hold such an enduring place in popular culture.
While generations of audiences will continue to recognize the laughter, chaos, and unmistakable personalities of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and their animated companions, Bauza’s contributions ensured that those characters remained a vibrant part of contemporary entertainment.
His legacy will live on through the countless performances that helped keep some of animation’s most beloved characters entertaining audiences around the world.
