Quick answer: Eric Bauza, the Emmy-winning voice actor who became the modern voice of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and many other Looney Tunes characters, has died at the age of 46. His family announced on Instagram that he “passed away suddenly.” No cause of death has been made public.
What we know
- His family shared the news in a short statement, describing him as an “Emmy Award-winning voice actor and the modern voice of iconic Looney Tunes characters.”
- They did not share a cause of death or other details.
- The news was widely reported on 26 October 2026, and his name quickly became one of the top searches in the US.
Who was Eric Bauza?
Born in Canada, Bauza started his career in animation and built one of the most versatile voice careers of his generation. According to IMDb, he had more than 400 acting credits.
Over the last several years he became the official voice of many of Warner Bros.’ most famous cartoon characters, including:
- Bugs Bunny
- Daffy Duck
- Porky Pig
- Elmer Fudd
- Road Runner
- and dozens of other Looney Tunes characters
His credits also include work connected to Space Jam and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films, and his most recent major role was in the Looney Tunes movie Coyote vs. Acme.
Awards and recognition
- Three Emmy Awards for his Looney Tunes voice work, according to a Los Angeles Philharmonic biography.
- Named to The Hollywood Reporter’s 2026 Animation Power List earlier this month. The magazine wrote that Bauza “has quietly become the voice of an entire cartoon universe.”
- Performed live with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl last year, voicing the characters alongside the orchestra’s classic cartoon music.
Carrying on a legendary tradition
Voicing Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck is one of the most respected jobs in animation. The characters were first brought to life by the legendary Mel Blanc, and only a handful of performers have taken them on since. Bauza was widely praised for capturing the classic sound and comic timing of the originals while bringing fresh energy for a new generation of fans.
Tributes
Fans, animators and fellow voice actors have shared tributes online, many posting their favourite clips of his Bugs and Daffy performances. For many younger viewers, his voice is the only Bugs Bunny they have ever known.
FAQ
How old was Eric Bauza?
He was 46.
What was Eric Bauza’s cause of death?
His family has not shared a cause. They said only that he “passed away suddenly.”
Which characters did Eric Bauza voice?
Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Road Runner and many other Looney Tunes characters, among more than 400 credits.
Did Eric Bauza win an Emmy?
Yes. He won three Emmy Awards for his Looney Tunes voice work.
Sources: ABC News, NBC News, NBC Los Angeles, Yahoo Entertainment.
