Filipino-Canadian voice actor Eric Bauza, the modern voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, dies at 46

Scarborough-born Eric Bauza, who was raised by Filipino immigrant parents and became the voice of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and many other Looney Tunes characters, has died at 46, his family announced on Sunday 25 October.

Filipino-Canadian voice actor Eric Bauza, the modern voice of Looney Tunes characters Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, has died at the age of 46, the Philippine Canadian Inquirer reported. His family announced his sudden death in a statement on his Instagram account on Sunday 25 October, saying more details would follow.

Variety reported that Bauza died on Sunday at his home as a result of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, according to Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records.

Bauza was born on 7 December 1979 in Scarborough and, according to the Philippine Canadian Inquirer, was raised by Filipino immigrant parents who moved to Canada in the late 1960s. He began as a character designer before moving into voice acting. Beyond Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, his Looney Tunes roles included Porky Pig, Tweety, Marvin the Martian, Elmer Fudd and Foghorn Leghorn, and his film credits included Space Jam: A New Legacy and Coyote vs. Acme. He won three Children's and Family Emmy Awards, for Looney Tunes Cartoons, Bugs Bunny Builders and Teen Titans Go!

The Philippine Canadian Inquirer said Bauza remained proud of his Filipino heritage and had spoken about how growing up in a Filipino household, surrounded by different accents and personalities, helped shape his range of character voices. Warner Bros. Television Group chairman Channing Dungey said in a statement that Bauza "was a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world." At the time of his death he was working on upcoming projects including Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical and The Dragon Masters.

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