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Eric Bauza, the voice behind iconic “Looney Tunes” characters including Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, has died, Fox News Digital has confirmed.
Bauza died Sunday from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. He was 46.
Beginning in 2001, Bauza amassed more than 400 voice-acting credits in a career that gave voice to beloved characters in animated Looney Tunes series including “Puss in Boots,” “Muppet Babies,” “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” and countless others.
The voice actor’s family confirmed his death on Instagram, but has not shared any additional details.
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Eric Bauza attends the “Space Jam: A New Legacy” party on June 29, 2021. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Fox News Digital reached out to Bauza’s representative.
Bauza’s early breakthrough came when he voiced Stimpy in the 2003 series “Ren & Stimpy: Adult Party Cartoon,” taking over the character previously voiced by Billy West.
He became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable voice talents, particularly for his work carrying on the legacy of legendary Looney Tunes performer Mel Blanc.
“I’m a fan first when it comes to this franchise, this band of characters. Mel Blanc will always be the original gangsta, the godfather of voiceover,” Bauza told Fox News Digital back in 2020. “He was the first voice actor credited on screen as a voice actor. They never did back in the day. And we’re talking about the ‘30s and ‘40s.”
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Eric Bauza voiced several iconic “Looney Tunes” characters, including Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, and appeared in films such as “Space Jam: A New Legacy” and “Coyote vs. Acme.” (Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images)
“So he really paved the way to show the importance of vocal performance, not an on-camera one. And the fact that we’re sitting here now talking about his performance just shows you how incredible, impactful and influential his sound is.”
Bauza’s Looney Tunes work included feature films such as “Space Jam: A New Legacy” (2021), “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie” (2024) and this year’s “Coyote vs. Acme.” Bauza won three Children’s and Family Emmy Awards during his career.
Beyond bringing Bugs Bunny to life on screen, Bauza had a deep appreciation for the character’s roots and what made him so beloved by generations of fans. Reflecting on Bugs Bunny’s signature personality, Bauza once explained how the character’s unmistakable New York accent came to be.
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Eric Bauza once explained that Bugs Bunny’s signature accent was inspired by a combination of Brooklyn and Bronx accents, a creative decision made by original voice actor Mel Blanc. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
“And if you’re wondering where [Bugs Bunny] got that accent from, they say he’s a rascally rabbit,” Bauza told Fox News Digital. “So [Mel] thought, he’s gotta be a tough character. And there’s no one tougher than a New Yorker, that’s what he said. He said it’s either Brooklyn or The Bronx. He mixed the two together, those accents. So that’s why he kind of has that street talk.”
“I think he represents the everyman, the every rabbit,” he added. “He doesn’t have a lot of high demands in life. All he wants is a carrot and a nice afternoon where no one bugs him. And if you get on his bad side, that’s when you gotta look out. That’s when he becomes the trickster. But really, he’s just a simple rabbit, nothing to him. I think that’s why he’s so appealing. And I think that’s why when he gets in trouble, people want him to succeed.”
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Eric Bauza won three Children’s and Family Emmy Awards during his voice acting career. (Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images)
With hundreds of voice-acting credits across television, film and video games, Bauza built a career introducing classic cartoon characters to new generations while creating memorable performances of his own.
His work helped keep some of animation’s most enduring characters alive for modern audiences.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.