Tributes were posted on social media Monday for award-winning voice actor Eric Bauza after his death in Los Angeles at age 46.
Bauza’s family posted on his Instagram page bauzilla: “Eric Bauza, Emmy Award-winning voice actor and the modern voice of iconic Looney Tunes characters Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, along with dozens of other beloved cartoon characters, has passed away suddenly. More details to come.”
Bauza died at a residence of natural causes, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office. The primary cause was hypertensive cardiovascular disease with sleep apnea and class 2 obesity listed as significant conditions.
Fellow voice actor Jim Cummings was one of the first to post reaction: “I am at a loss for words. Such a young kind man.”
Eric Bauza poses in the press room during night two of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
EXCLUSIVE – Eric Bauza speaks on stage during night two of the Television Academy’s 78th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Phil McCarten/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services)
Eric Bauza poses in the press room during night two of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Eric Bauza poses in the press room during night two of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Eric Bauza poses in the press room during night two of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Cast member Eric Bauza poses with a Road Runner doll as he arrives at the premiere of the film “Coyote vs. Acme” on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, at the Fox Westwood Village Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Cast member Eric Bauza holds a Road Runner stuffed animal as he arrives at the premiere of the film “Coyote vs. Acme” on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, at the Fox Westwood Village Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
From left, cast members Eric Bauza, John Cena, Will Forte and Lana Condor pose together at the premiere of the film “Coyote vs. Acme” on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, at the Fox Westwood Village Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Eric Bauza poses for a portrait to promote the film “Coyote vs. Acme” on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Eric Bauza poses for a portrait to promote the film “Coyote vs. Acme” on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Eric Bauza poses for a portrait to promote the film “Coyote vs. Acme” on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Eric Bauza demonstrates a “Looney Tunes”-style leap for a portrait to promote the film “Coyote vs. Acme” on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Eric Bauza poses for a portrait to promote the film “Coyote vs. Acme” on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
From left, Bugs Bunny, voice actor Eric Bauza and Daffy Duck attends the Entertainment Community Fund gala benefit at the Marriott Marquis on Monday, April 8, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)
Voice actor Eric Bauza arrives at the world premiere of “Space Jam: A New Legacy” on Monday, July 12, 2021, at Regal L.A. Live in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Eric Bauza arrives at the LA Premiere of “Cars 3” on Saturday, June 10, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)
Eric Bauza arrives at the LA Premiere of “Cars 3” on Saturday, June 10, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)
From left, Amir Talai, Eric Bauza and John Eric Bentley attend DreamWorks Animation and Netflix’s Turbo FAST Los Angeles Premiere Event, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013 in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision for DreamWorks/AP Images)
Eric Bauza attends DreamWorks Animation and Netflix’s Turbo FAST Los Angeles Premiere Event, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013 in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision for DreamWorks/AP Images)
From left, Amir Talai, John Eric Bentley, Marjorie Cohn, Michael Patrick Bell and Eric Bauza attend DreamWorks Animation and Netflix’s Turbo FAST Los Angeles Premiere Event, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013 in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision for DreamWorks/AP Images)
Eric Bauza attends DreamWorks Animation and Netflix’s Turbo FAST Los Angeles Premiere Event, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013 in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision for DreamWorks/AP Images)
Amir Talai, left, and Eric Bauza attend DreamWorks Animation and Netflix’s Turbo FAST Los Angeles Premiere Event, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013 in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision for DreamWorks/AP Images)
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Eric Bauza poses in the press room during night two of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
On Bauza’s Instagram account, digital_fr1dge noted: “I saw him yesterday. I can’t process this yet. Every time I saw him at a festival or around a studio lot since Ottawa and into LA over the last two decades, he made the day so much better. Including yesterday. Thinking of his beloved family tonight.”
American animator and voice actor Dan Povenmire posted on Bauza’s Instagram page: “Oh my god! This is devastating! I was just thinking about him this morning and what a huge upturn his career has had with the success of ‘Coyote vs. Acme.’ and what a great guy he is and how happy I was that he was getting recognized for his immense talent. I am speechless.”
And comedy and animation writer and producer Jacob Moffat said: “One of the most amazing things about Eric was how generously he shared his gift. Anytime you saw him interact with fans, he never made anyone feel small for asking him to do a voice. He’d do it on the spot, without hesitation. And you could see people light up the moment he started. He had this incredible ability to bring so much joy to a room with his voice, and he shared that gift so freely, simply because he loved making people happy.”
Bauza was born Dec. 7, 1979 in Scarborough, Toronto, Canada.
He won three Children’s and Family Emmy Awards: Outstanding Voice Performance in an Animated Program for “Looney Tunes Cartoons,” in 2022; Outstanding Voice Performance in a Preschool Animated Program for “Bugs Bunny Builders,” in 2023; and Outstanding Voice Performer in a Children’s or Young Teen Program for “Teen Titans Go!” in 2025.