“He followed in the footsteps of giants like Mel Blanc.”
So said Channing Dungey, Chairman, Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks tonight after the family of Eric Bauza announced the death of the most recent voice actor behind characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, including in this year’s much-loved Coyote vs. Acme. Bauza was 46.
Filling the shoes of the legendary Mel Blanc at Looney Tunes was no small task, but the Emmy-winning Bauza did so capably for years. Dungey called Bauza an “incredible talent.”
Besides the two biggies, other Looney Tunes characters he brought to life included Tweety, Foghorn Leghorn, Pepé Le Pew, Porky Pig, Road Runner, Elmer Fudd and Marvin the Martian. He voiced many of those characters in Looney Tunes Cartoons, for which Bauza last year won the first ever Children’s and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice Performance in an Animated Program.
That alone would have been a career, but Bauza also voiced Stimpy, the animated Luke Skywalker, Puss in Boots, Bam-Bam Rubble, Donatello, Leonardo, the animated Jason Bourne, Robert “Big Bob” Belcher, Woody Woodpecker, Two-Face, Jimmy Olsen and Aquaman.
Said Dungey in a statement: 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, 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.
