Daffy’s plea drew cheers; Eric Bauza remembered as once-in-a-generation talent who gave Looney Tunes voice

A memorable awards plea

At the 2024 Annie Awards, Bauza took the stage and spoke in Daffy Duck’s distinctive voice, asking Warner Bros. to release Coyote vs. Acme. He later said Daffy, a character known for pleading, was a fitting choice.

The audience roared at the appeal. Bauza was working with Warner Bros. Pictures Animation producer Susan Rogers on the upcoming animated short Daffy Season.

A personal loss for colleagues

Rogers said staff at Warner Bros. were mourning Bauza and that many felt personally connected to him. She described a widespread sense of grief at the studio. Alex Kirwan, producer of Cartoon Network’s Looney Tunes Cartoons, said Bauza could not be replaced. The series featured him in several roles, including Bugs, Daffy and Marvin the Martian.

A legacy made his own

Colleagues remember Bauza for reviving Looney Tunes characters for a new generation. He was also widely regarded as the new Mel Blanc, while bringing his own identity to a closely guarded Hollywood legacy.

Kirwan said Bauza’s impact went beyond performing multiple voices: he was part of the animation community. He added that voice actors knew and loved him.