Super Mario Galaxy Movie's $219M box office hit: Voice star Eric Bauza dies at 46

Eric Bauza, the voice actor behind the Road Runner in this summer's animated hit Coyote vs. Acme, died on Sunday at the age of 46. Variety reported the cause of death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease. His family confirmed the news via an Instagram post, describing his passing as sudden.

Bauza's recent work includes the role of Toad General in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. That sequel is currently the fifth highest-grossing film internationally this year. He also played the same character in the 2023 original. In the Looney Tunes franchise, he voiced Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, and Foghorn Leghorn in Space Jam: A New Legacy. He returned to those roles for Coyote vs. Acme, where he added the voice of the Road Runner to his roster.

The actor had established a strong financial track record in television prior to these theatrical releases. Between 2022 and 2025, he won three Emmy awards for outstanding voice performance. These accolades spanned several different TV series. Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, noted his commercial and artistic reach in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter.

"Eric Bauza was a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world," Dungey said. She added that he followed in the footsteps of industry giants like Mel Blanc. Bauza himself previously described the role of carrying the Looney Tunes legacy as one of the greatest honors of his life.

Born in Ontario to Filipino parents, Bauza began imitating cartoon voices in childhood. He cited the universal nature of the humor in a 2021 interview with NBC News. "Looney Tunes transcends all languages and all cultures," he said. "It doesn't matter what part of the planet you're from. You get the comedy."

His death removes a key voice asset from two major franchises. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie continues to show strong international numbers. Coyote vs. Acme finished its theatrical run earlier this year. Bauza also appeared in the recent release Forgotten Island.