Voice actor Eric Bauza makes his posthumous debut on The Simpsons in the upcoming November 15 episode “Dream Scenari-Moe,” voicing restaurateur Mr. Fong and newspaper editor Harry Metsali. Bauza passed away Sunday at age 46 from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, leaving the animation industry stunned.
What Viewers Should Know About the Posthumous Broadcast
- Eric Bauza makes his The Simpsons appearance posthumously in the Fox episode “Dream Scenari-Moe,” scheduled to air on November 15.
- The late voice-over artist recorded two New York-inspired roles for the episode: restaurateur Mr. Fong and newspaper editor Harry Metsali.
- His death at age 46 from hypertensive cardiovascular disease occurred after he had recently been seen by producers at the Creative Arts Emmys and another event.
Recording New York-Centric Roles for Moe’s Sleep Study
Co-showrunner and co-executive producer Cesar Mazariegos detailed the recording sessions to Variety, explaining that producers sought out Bauza to handle two distinct “New-Yorky characters.” During the sessions, Bauza demonstrated his versatility by effortlessly cycling through multiple vocal variations off-mic.
I wish Eric Bauza had never passed away. I wish he were still alive.And I wish Patrick Stewart were still alive too.I wish everybody were alive. Dolly, Catherine, Tim, Peter, Hayden, everyone. Alive.
The episode, titled “Dream Scenari-Moe,” centers on Moe the bartender enrolling in a sleep study that grants him romantic comedy dreams at a dark, unforeseen cost. Alongside Bauza’s guest spots, the episode features appearances by Meg Ryan as Sam and Saturday Night Live cast member James Austin Johnson as Dr. De La Manana.
Remembering a Prolific Career Across Animation
Bauza’s passing cut short a career defined by massive output, highlighted by his command of the entire library of Bugs Bunny and other “Looney Tunes” characters, including his work in this year’s Coyote vs. Acme. Across more than 400 credits, his vocal work spanned series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender, Chowder, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, Fanboy & Chum Chum, Ben 10 Omniverse, Rick and Morty, and others.
Fellow voice actor Sunil Malhotra shared a recent text message exchange on Instagram, revealing that Bauza had just sent warm congratulations regarding Malhotra’s own recent casting as Apu on The Simpsons. Malhotra noted that Bauza’s supportive text exemplified the generosity that defined his reputation among peers.
| Project / Episode | Network / Release | Bauza’s Roles |
|---|---|---|
| “Dream Scenari-Moe” | Fox (Nov. 15) | Mr. Fong, Harry Metsali |
| Coyote vs. Acme | Feature Film | Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Porky Pig, Road Runner, Charlie the Dog, and others |
| Daffy Season | Theatrical Short (Opener to The Cat in the Hat) | Not specified |
Future Posthumous Releases and Industry Legacy
Beyond his television appearance on Fox, audiences will hear Bauza’s voice in the upcoming theatrical short Daffy Season, slated to run ahead of screenings of The Cat in the Hat. Mazariegos emphasized that Bauza’s death represents a profound blow to an animation community already navigating intense industry pressures.
