More details have emerged following the sudden death of Looney Tunes voice actor Eric Bauza.
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The 46-year-old, who voiced iconic characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, died on Oct. 25 at his Los Angeles County home, according to his manager, Judy Coppage.
"Eric was a unique and versatile voice actor who was loved by everyone he knew and worked with," Coppage shared. "His sudden passing is a shock to all of us. He will be deeply missed. It's a profound loss for his family, the animation industry, and his fans."
"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," his family confirmed on Instagram. "More details to come," they added.
As generations of fans mourn the sudden loss of Bauza, the exact cause of his shocking death has been revealed.
According to NBC Los Angeles, citing the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, the beloved voice actor died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The department added that his passing was natural.
Hypertensive heart disease is caused by unmanaged high blood pressure, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The extra work the heart has to do due to the condition can lead to a thickening of the heart muscle, leading to an increased risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Eric Bauza Voiced Several 'Looney Tunes' Characters in a Major Film That Debuted Earlier This Year
Bauza had a deep bench of TV and film credits, per his IMDb page. His over 400 acting credits included everything from The Fairly OddParents, Marvel's X-Men '97 and several Looney Tunes chracters. Bauza voiced Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd and Foghorn Leghorn in 2021's Space Jam: A New Legacy. Earlier this year, he reprised the roles and that of Road Runner in Coyote vs. Acme. The voice actor also took on the role of Buster Bunny on Tiny Toons Looniversity in 2023.
Chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and U.S. Networks, Channing Dungey, released a heartfelt statement in the wake of Bauza's death.
"Eric Bauza was a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world. During his 15 years at Warner Bros. Animation," Dungey said. "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."
