Eric Bauza, Emmy-Winning Voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, Dies at 46

Eric Bauza, the Emmy-winning voice actor behind the Looney Tunes characters Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, died Sunday at his home at age 46. The Los Angeles County medical examiner's office gave the cause as hypertensive cardiovascular disease. His family said on Instagram that he died suddenly and that more details would follow. His manager, Judy Coppage, called the death a shock and a profound loss for his family, the animation industry and his fans. Born in Canada, Bauza won three Emmys between 2022 and 2025 and had more than 400 acting credits listed on IMDb. Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and U.S. Networks, said he spent 15 years at Warner Bros. Animation and followed in the footsteps of Mel Blanc. He had been scheduled to attend the premiere of The Cat in the Hat on Sunday afternoon.

Left-leaning NBC News and CBS News lead with his career and Coppage's tribute. NBC adds that he was the first person of color to voice Bugs Bunny, drawing on a 2021 interview about the response from Asian American audiences. CBS lists his many characters, shows and Emmy history, including his 2026 nomination. Right-leaning Daily Mail and Washington Times are shorter and center on the family's Instagram statement and the word "suddenly." The Daily Mail says he died after a battle with heart disease, citing medical examiner records and noting 25 years in the industry. The left outlets name the specific diagnosis and do not describe a prolonged illness. The Washington Times excerpt carries no cause. Both sides agree on his age, the Instagram statement, the Emmys and the main characters. The left adds the medical examiner's detail, Coppage's quote and career breadth; the right gives less detail. BBC and The Hollywood Reporter add studio and film context.