Eric Bauza Remembered as a “Once-in-a-Generation” Talent Who Gave Looney Tunes a New Voice
Eric Bauza, the voice actor who brought Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig to a new generation, has died aged 46. Colleagues remember him as a rare talent who honoured the characters’ history while making the performances his own, and as a much-loved member of the animation community.
Bauza died suddenly on 25 October of natural causes. He began his career as an animator and character designer before gaining attention as Stimpy in the Ren & Stimpy revival; in 2018, he won the role of Bugs Bunny on Looney Tunes Cartoons after auditioning alongside about 50 actors. A devoted fan who reportedly watched Looney Tunes daily, he also publicly urged Warner Bros. to release Coyote vs. Acme at the 2024 Annie Awards.
In short
- Eric Bauza died aged 46.
- He voiced Bugs, Daffy and Porky for a new generation.
- Colleagues praised his talent, knowledge and generosity.
Explained simply
Looney Tunes is a long-running series of animated comedy shorts made by Warner Bros. Its best-known characters include Bugs Bunny, a quick-witted rabbit; Daffy Duck, a boastful duck; and Porky Pig, a stammering pig. They have been voiced by different actors over the decades.
Eric Bauza was a Canadian voice actor who also worked as an animator and character designer. He took on several of the series’ central roles for a newer audience, following earlier performers who helped establish how the characters sounded. His work matters to animation fans and colleagues because these familiar voices are part of how Looney Tunes has reached new generations.