Voice Performance: Eric Bauza, Looney Tunes Star, Dies at 46

Three Emmy awards stand as the final tally of professional recognition for Eric Bauza, the voice actor who died at age 46. His family announced the death on Instagram, describing the passing as sudden. Variety reported that the cause was hypertensive cardiovascular disease and that he died at his home on Sunday.

Bauza was born in Ontario and is of Filipino descent. He grew up imitating the characters he later voiced professionally. In a 2021 interview with NBC News, he explained the universal appeal of the animation. "Looney Tunes transcends all languages and all cultures," he said. "It doesn't matter what part of the planet you're from. You get the comedy."

His most recent high-profile work appeared in Coyote vs. Acme, the animated film released earlier this year. He voiced several characters in that production, including the Road Runner. He also appeared in the recent release Forgotten Island. His role as Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, and Foghorn Leghorn in the 2021 film Space Jam: A New Legacy introduced his voice to a global audience.

Beyond the Warner Bros. studio, Bauza voiced Toad General in 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie. He returned to that character for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which is currently the fifth highest-grossing film internationally this year.

His award history covers the period between 2022 and 2025. He received the honors for outstanding voice performance across various television series. Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, commented on his contribution to the industry. "Eric Bauza was a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world," she said. "He followed in the footsteps of giants like Mel Blanc."

Dungey noted that Bauza considered the role a personal honor. "Eric said that carrying on the legendary legacy of the Looney Tunes was among the greatest honors of his life," the statement read. The actor’s career spanned decades of animated features and television, leaving a catalog of iconic voices.