Warner Bros. loses key voice asset as Eric Bauza dies at 46

Eric Bauza, the voice actor responsible for major characters in the Warner Bros. and Nintendo franchises, has died at the age of 46. His family announced the news in a statement on Instagram, confirming that the performer died suddenly at home on Sunday. Variety reported that the cause of death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

Bauza’s portfolio included high-grossing properties that generated substantial international revenue. He voiced Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, and Foghorn Leghorn in the 2021 release Space Jam: A New Legacy. He returned to those roles in Coyote vs. Acme, an animated hit released this summer, where he also provided the voice for Road Runner. His recent work also included a role in the film Forgotten Island.

The actor’s involvement in the Super Mario franchise contributed to its financial success. He played Toad General in the 2023 film The Super Mario Bros. Movie. He reprised the role in the sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which is currently the fifth highest-grossing film internationally this year. These appearances placed his voice in front of global audiences for a major consumer entertainment product.

Bauza was a three-time Emmy winner for outstanding voice performance in television series between 2022 and 2025. Born in Ontario to a Filipino family, he cited the universal appeal of the cartoons that defined his career. In a 2021 interview with NBC News, he noted, "Looney Tunes transcends all languages and all cultures. It doesn't matter what part of the planet you're from. You get the comedy."

Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, addressed the loss in a statement reported by the Hollywood Reporter. "Eric Bauza was a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world," she said. She added that he followed in the footsteps of industry legends. "Eric said that carrying on the legendary legacy of the Looney Tunes was among the greatest honors of his life," Dungey stated.

The actor’s death removes a central creative element from the ongoing production pipelines of major animation studios. His roles in the recent summer release Coyote vs. Acme and the current box office performance of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie underscore the commercial weight of the characters he portrayed. The family’s announcement on social media served as the primary channel for the news to the public and trade press.