Emmy-Winning Voice Actor Behind Mario and Looney Tunes Dies Suddenly

Eric Bauza, the voice actor behind iconic Looney Tunes characters including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig, died at age 46. His family confirmed the death in a social media post, noting that the Emmy-winning performer died suddenly at his home on Sunday. Variety reported that the cause of death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

Bauza maintained a prominent presence in recent animated films. He provided voices for multiple characters in the summer hit Coyote vs. Acme. The actor also appeared in the recent release Forgotten Island. His work in Coyote vs. Acme included returning to roles he had previously voiced in the 2021 film Space Jam: A New Legacy, where he performed as Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, and Foghorn Leghorn. In the newer production, he added the role of Road Runner to his repertoire.

His career extended beyond the Warner Bros. studio. Bauza played Toad General in the 2023 film The Super Mario Bros. Movie. He reprised that role in the sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which currently stands as the fifth highest-grossing film internationally this year. From 2022 to 2025, he collected three Emmy awards for outstanding voice performance across various television series.

Born in Ontario to parents of Filipino descent, Bauza grew up imitating the voices of his favorite cartoon characters. In a 2021 interview with NBC News, he described the global 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."

Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, paid tribute to the actor. She noted that Bauza was a unique talent who brought joy to millions. Dungey added that he followed in the footsteps of industry giants like Mel Blanc. "Eric said that carrying on the legendary legacy of the Looney Tunes was among the greatest honors of his life," Dungey said.