Bauza dies at 46

Voice actor Eric Bauza has died at age 46. The family confirmed the news in an Instagram post, stating he passed away suddenly. Variety reported that the cause was hypertensive cardiovascular disease and that he died at his home on Sunday.

Bauza’s work anchored the recent resurgence of the Looney Tunes brand. He voiced Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, and the Road Runner in the 2021 film Space Jam: A New Legacy. He reprised those roles in this summer’s release, Coyote vs. Acme. The studio also credited him with the character of Toad General in The Super Mario Bros. Movie and its sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The latter film ranks as the fifth highest-grossing title internationally this year.

The actor’s recognition extended to television. He won three Emmy awards for outstanding voice performance between 2022 and 2025. Born in Ontario and of Filipino descent, Bauza told NBC News in 2021 that he grew up mimicking the characters. He noted that the franchise’s comedy appeals globally, saying, “It doesn’t matter what part of the planet you’re from. You get the comedy.”

Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, commented on the loss in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter. Dungey described Bauza as a unique talent who brought joy to audiences worldwide. She added that Bauza viewed the role as a way to honor the legacy of Mel Blanc, calling it among the greatest honors of his life.

Bauza also appeared in the recent release Forgotten Island. His death marks the end of a career that bridged major animated franchises and acclaimed television work. The studio continues to distribute his recent films, including the Mario sequel and the Looney Tunes feature.