What to know
- Widely loved and recognized Scarborough-born voice actor Eric Bauza died on Sunday, Oct. 25, due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
- Bauza built a widely praised career in acting for animation, where he became one of the main, most recognizable voices behind the Looney Tunes characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety, Marvin the Martian, and the Road Runner.
- Although Looney Tunes became a major part of his career and legacy, Bauza’s talent spanned a wide range of other animated productions. He voiced characters in The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Muppet Babies, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Teen Titans Go!, among other series and films.
- Many past colleagues in the animation community, as well as members of the Toronto community, have spoken up following his death. Warner Bros. Television Group chair Channing Dungey praised Bauza’s exceptional talent and the joy he brought to audiences, while Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow noted his importance to the city. Bauza is survived by his family, including his 10-year-old son.
Toronto’s Eric Bauza, best known for bringing the beloved characters of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig to life, has died at the age of 46, leaving the world and his city reeling.
Bauza died on Sunday, Oct. 25, at his home in Los Angeles, according to his obituary.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner said his death was due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease. His family announced his sudden passing in a statement shared on social media.
Born in Scarborough, Bauza built a widely praised career in acting for animation, where he became one of the main, most recognizable voices behind the Looney Tunes characters.
His death marks the loss of a performer whose work touched the hearts of thousands and introduced generations of viewers to animation’s most recognizable characters, continuing the legacy of the initial artists who originally brought them to life before him.
A Scarborough kid with a passion for cartoons
In past interviews, Bauza talked about growing up in Scarborough in a Filipino-Canadian family. He grew interested in cartoon voices at a young age.
He attended Cardinal Newman Catholic High School near the Scarborough Bluffs before studying radio, television, and film at Centennial College in Toronto.
Bauza began gathering voice acting credits in the early 2000s, working across television, film, and animation projects for major studios.
Over the course of his full career, he collected more than 400 voice acting opportunities through his talent and versatility.
Carrying on the Looney Tunes legacy
Bauza quickly became one of the main voices of the modern-day Looney Tunes, taking on characters that had previously been spotlighted by the late Mel Blanc.
His credits included notable characters in the franchise, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety, Marvin the Martian, and the Road Runner.
In interviews, Bauza expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to a franchise he had grown up watching.
His work included Looney Tunes Cartoons, Bugs Bunny Builders, Space Jam: A New Legacy, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, and most recently, 2026’s Coyote vs. Acme.
Bauza’s contributions earned him three Children’s and Family Emmy Awards.
Although Looney Tunes became a major part of his career and legacy, Bauza’s talent spanned a wide range of other animated productions.
He voiced characters in The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Muppet Babies, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Teen Titans Go!, among other series and films.
Tributes from across the industry and Toronto
Bauza’s past colleagues in the animation community, as well as members of the Toronto community, have spoken out following his death, with fellow performers remembering his talent, warmth and generosity.
Warner Bros. Television Group chair Channing Dungey praised Bauza’s exceptional talent and the joy he brought to audiences.
“In addition to his incredible talent, Eric was a treasured part of our animation family. Our hearts go out to his loved ones,” Dungey stated in part on X.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow also weighed in, noting his importance to the city.
“He represented our city — and Scarborough — so well, with his immense creative talent and love for Toronto,” she wrote in part. “My heart goes out to everyone who knew him and loved the incredible characters he brought to life with his voice.”
Community group ScarboroughSpots shared multiple interviews and memories its members had with the actor, noting his kindness.
“I can’t believe it, man. He was [the] nicest, coolest, funniest, most talented, and humble guy ever and a proud kid from Scarborough,” they wrote on Instagram.
The Toronto Raptors also paid tribute, highlighting Bauza as a fan.
“A proud Scarborough native, lifelong Raptors fan, and cherished member of our Raptors community,” they wrote in part.
Bauza is survived by his family, including his 10-year-old son. His family wrote in his obituary that they invited donations to Cartoon United in lieu of flowers.
