Sad news today, as notable voice actor Eric Bauza (Avatar: Seven Havens, Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Attack of the T-Rex) has died at the age of 46. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bauza died at home, the cause of death was listed as a hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
For those who don’t know, Bauza was born on December 7, 1979, in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada and was recently living in Los Angeles. He started his career in animation as a character designer working with a few production studios in Hollywood. News of his death was announced on Sunday on his Instagram by his family. Here is statement of the post via The Hollywood Reporter: “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 began his voice acting career back in 2001, where he was on the show called The Ripping Friends.
In 2009, Bauza would work for Warner Bros. Animation, where he voiced Marvin the Martian on The Looney Tunes Show, over time he would eventually voice iconic characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and a variety of other notable characters. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Channing Dungey (Instead of Me, The Big Bounce), chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and Bill Damaschke (The Prom, Michael Jackson’s Halloween), president and chief creative officer at Warner Bros. Pictures Animation paid tribute to Bauza with this statement: “Eric Bauza was a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world,” they said. “During his 15 years at Warner Bros. Animation, he was the voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck among countless other characters. He followed in the footsteps of giants like Mel Blanc. Eric said that carrying on the legendary legacy of the Looney Tunes was among the greatest honors of his life. In addition to his incredible talent, Eric was a treasured part of our animation family. Our hearts go out to his loved ones.”
Bauza will be missed and his voice acting prowess will not go unnoticed. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bauza was scheduled to attend the premiere of the new Cat in the Hat film where his voice was featured in a short that would play before the movie titled Daffy Season.