Emmy winner Eric Bauza dies at 46 after voicing Mario and Looney Tunes roles

Eric Bauza, the voice behind Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, died on Sunday at his home. He was 46. Variety reported the cause as hypertensive cardiovascular disease. His family announced the death on Instagram, saying the Emmy-winning performer had died "suddenly."

Bauza was born in Ontario and was of Filipino descent. He imitated Looney Tunes voices as a child. He voiced Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd and Foghorn Leghorn in "Space Jam: A New Legacy" in 2021. He returned to those roles in "Coyote vs. Acme," released this summer, and also played Road Runner in that film. He appeared in "Forgotten Island."

He won three Emmy awards for outstanding voice performance for TV series between 2022 and 2025. He voiced Toad General in "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" in 2023 and in its sequel, "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," which ranks as the fifth highest-grossing film internationally this year.

In a 2021 interview with NBC News, Bauza discussed the reach of the cartoons. "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, said in a statement reported by the Hollywood Reporter: "Eric Bauza was a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world." She said he followed the work of Mel Blanc. Dungey quoted Bauza as saying that carrying on the legacy of the Looney Tunes was among the greatest honors of his life.