Medical examiner cites heart disease in death of Looney Tunes voice actor Eric Bauza

Eric Bauza, the voice actor who in recent years performed Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and other Looney Tunes characters, died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has determined, according to a Gray News report carried by Live 5 News, Cleveland 19, 1011 Now and KFYR.

The medical examiner also listed sleep apnea and type 2 obesity as contributing factors, the outlets reported.

Bauza, 46, died suddenly, according to his family, which shared the news in a statement posted on Instagram. The reports did not state the date or place of his death.

Bauza was an Emmy-winning performer who became the current voice of many of Warner Bros.' best-known cartoon characters. Beyond Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, Gray News reported that he voiced Tweety, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn and Porky Pig, among others, in the film "Coyote vs. Acme."

His credits also included work on "Space Jam: A New Legacy" and the series "Looney Tunes Cartoons," according to the reports. Outside the Looney Tunes franchise, he provided voices for DreamWorks Animation's "Forgotten Island."

Citing Variety, Gray News reported that Bauza earned three Children's & Family Emmy Awards, for his work on "Teen Titans Go!," "Bugs Bunny Builders" and "Looney Tunes Cartoons."

Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and U.S. Networks, paid tribute to Bauza in a statement cited by the outlets. "Eric Bauza was a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world," Dungey said.

Dungey also placed Bauza in the line of performers who shaped the characters over decades, saying, "He followed in the footsteps of giants like Mel Blanc." Blanc was the original voice of many Looney Tunes characters.

According to Dungey's statement, Bauza had described continuing the Looney Tunes tradition as one of the greatest honors of his life.

The four outlets published the same wire story from Gray News, and no differing accounts of the cause of death or of Bauza's career were reported among them.

Compiled by True News from reporting by Live 5 News, Cleveland 19, 1011 Now and KFYR. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/500