Warner Bros. Loses Key Voice Talent in Eric Bauza's Death

Eric Bauza, the voice actor behind some of the most recognizable characters in the Looney Tunes franchise, has died at the age of 46. The family announced the news via Instagram, stating he passed away suddenly. Variety reported that the cause of death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease and that he died at his home on Sunday.

Bauza's voice appeared in major recent releases for Warner Bros. He provided voices for Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, and Foghorn Leghorn in the 2021 film Space Jam: A New Legacy. He reprised those roles and added Road Runner to the cast for the summer animated hit Coyote vs. Acme. The actor also contributed to the recent release Forgotten Island.

His work extended beyond the classic cartoons. Bauza voiced Toad General in the 2023 film The Super Mario Bros. Movie and its sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. That sequel became the fifth highest-grossing film internationally this year, adding a substantial financial component to his recent filmography.

The industry recognized his contributions with three Emmy awards for outstanding voice performance in television series between 2022 and 2025. Born in Ontario to a family of Filipino descent, Bauza cited his childhood obsession with the cartoons as his primary motivation. In a 2021 interview with NBC News, he noted that the franchise transcends language and culture.

Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, issued a statement to the Hollywood Reporter regarding the loss. Dungey described Bauza as a unique voice talent who brought joy to millions. He noted that Bauza viewed carrying on the legacy of the Looney Tunes as one of the greatest honors of his life, comparing his career trajectory to that of Mel Blanc.

The death follows a period of high visibility for the actor. His roles in the Mario franchise and the Coyote vs. Acme film placed his work in front of global audiences in 2025 and 2026. The combination of television awards and box office performance marked a peak in his professional output prior to his passing.