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‘A Great Person, A Great Talent, And A Great Friend’: Animation Community Pays Tribute To Eric Bauza
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For many animation artists and performers remembering Eric Bauza, the stories begin with his extraordinary voice and return to the same point: how he treated people.
Following Bauza’s death at 46, friends, collaborators, and fans have been sharing memories of his extraordinary talent and the kindness he brought to their lives.
We’ve collected some of those tributes below, bringing together recollections from across the animation community in one place. They describe a performer who treasured the characters entrusted to him, made time for the people around him, and shared his love of cartoons at every opportunity.
His fiancée, Caro Beurmann, founder of Saturday Morning Cartoons United, one of our favorite initiatives of the last several years, reflected on the organization they built together around animation and charitable causes. Its events have included a Care Bears Movie screening supporting animation workers affected by California’s wildfires and a Powerpuff Girls reunion fundraiser announced earlier this fall.
I know Eric would have wanted that mission to continue in some capacity, and I hope we can find a way to honor his legacy by continuing to support and uplift one another.
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Coyote vs. Acme director Dave Green remembered a collaborator whose connection with audiences came from being a lifelong cartoon fan himself. Green accompanied his tribute with a video of Bauza performing karaoke at the film’s premiere afterparty.
He spent time with fans. Listened to them, hung out with them, enjoyed them. Because he was one of them.
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In a joint statement, Warner Bros. Television Group chairman Channing Dungey and WBPA president and chief creative officer Bill Damaschke said:
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.
Dan Harmon, co-creator of Rick and Morty, in which Bauza appeared numerous times, reflected on how widely Bauza was loved and the grief those who knew him felt.
I’m trying to think of a single person in my life that didn’t know and adore Eric Bauza and I can’t. The confusion and grief are inescapable. He wouldn’t have wanted that but he’s the one that made everyone happier and raised the quality of everything he touched for 46 years.
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In an emotional video, Phineas and Ferb co-creator and Dr. Doofenshmirtz voice actor Dan Povenmire recalled how hard it was to find performers who could fully embody Mel Blanc’s Looney Tunes characters when he was working with that property at Warner Bros. He felt Bauza had done that and spoke about seeing his talent gain wider recognition.
I just love the fact that somebody as nice, as just genuinely kind and nice as Eric was getting the success that he deserved.
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Jorge Gutiérrez, co-creator of El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, remembered the excitement of developing characters for Bauza, who voiced Rodolfo Rivera/White Pantera in El Tigre.
I would write and design characters giddy thinking how he would bring them to life. And behind the scenes, an incredibly kind, humble and open-hearted good dude.
Voice actor Carlos Alazraqui, who worked with Bauza on The Fairly OddParents, shared memories of Bauza drawing pictures for his daughters and making friends laugh. To describe Bauza’s exceptional abilities, he made a musical comparison.
All the right notes, the perfect amount of notes. Not to be repeated, just a one-of-a-kind, wonderful human being.
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Hundreds have posted their condolences and memories on the Instagram post on Bauza’s account that first announced his passing.
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Among them, Chris Prynoski, animation director and co-founder of Titmouse, expressed shock at losing someone he saw just a day earlier.
I just saw him yesterday. He was a great person, a great talent, and a great friend.
Gravity Falls creator and voice actor Alex Hirsch shared a personal reminder of Bauza’s generosity and his ability to bring familiar characters into the lives of those around him.
The only thing bigger than Eric’s talent was his heart. He was so genuine and generous with his time and made every room he stepped in brighter. I still have voice memos he sent me on my phone as Bugs & Daffy.
Dana Terrace, creator of Disney’s The Owl House, remembered the warmth of their encounters.
He was always so kind and enthusiastic wherever I saw him. What an absolute tragedy, my heart goes out to his family.
Actor Vincent Martella, the voice of Phineas in Phineas and Ferb, described Bauza as a colleague whose company and experience he valued.
A tremendously talented and kind coworker who I always had great conversations with and learned from.
If you have a memory of Eric you’d like to share, or if you’ve seen any we missed, please leave it in the comments below. Whether you worked with him, met him at an event, or knew him through his performances, we’d love to hear as many stories as possible about one of animation’s greatest champions.
