Eric Bauza, the voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck for a new generation, has died suddenly at 46 of heart disease brought on by high blood pressure, according to county medical examiner records.
Story Highlights
- Bauza died on Sunday, October 25, at a home in Los Angeles County, officials said.
- The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner listed the cause as hypertensive cardiovascular disease and ruled the death natural.
- He voiced Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety, Elmer Fudd and dozens of other cartoon characters.
- He won three Children’s and Family Emmy Awards for his voice work.
- High blood pressure often gives no warning signs, which is why regular checks with a doctor matter.
Confirmed Details From Family And Officials
His family shared the news on his Instagram account on Sunday night. The post said Bauza, “Emmy Award-winning voice actor and the modern voice of iconic Looney Tunes characters Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, along with dozens of other beloved cartoon characters, has passed away suddenly.” It added, “More details to come.”
The medical examiner’s records give the cause as hypertensive cardiovascular disease. In plain words, that is damage to the heart and blood vessels caused by high blood pressure over time. The office ruled the death natural. High blood pressure often gives no warning signs, which is why regular checks with a doctor matter, and anyone with concerns about his own heart should talk with a medical professional.
“His sudden passing is a shock to all of us, and he will be deeply missed,” said his manager, Judy Coppage. She called him a “unique and versatile voice actor” and said his death “is a profound loss for his family, the animation industry and his fans.”
Career And Cultural Impact
Bauza was born in Toronto on December 7, 1979. He started out as a character designer, a cartoon artist who draws how characters look, before moving to voice work and building more than 400 acting credits in film and television.
He was often called a modern heir to Mel Blanc, the original voice of Bugs Bunny and many other Looney Tunes stars, who was known as “The Man of a Thousand Voices.” Bauza carried those voices into Looney Tunes Cartoons, Space Jam: A New Legacy and the film Coyote vs. Acme. He also voiced Foghorn Leghorn and Marvin the Martian. His three Emmy wins came for Teen Titans Go!, Bugs Bunny Builders and Looney Tunes Cartoons.
Tributes And A Legacy Carried Forward
Warner Bros., the studio that owns Looney Tunes, paid tribute. “Eric Bauza was a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world,” said Channing Dungey, who heads the Warner Bros. Television Group. She said he “followed in the footsteps of giants like Mel Blanc,” and that Bauza had called carrying on the Looney Tunes legacy one of the greatest honors of his life.
Fans and fellow performers posted tributes across social media on Monday, October 26. For millions of families, his voice was the sound of Saturday morning cartoons passed from one generation to the next. Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck sounded the way they always had, and that was Bauza’s gift.
Sources:
nbclosangeles.com, wgem.com, upi.com, people.com
