Saturday Morning Cartoons United announced that it has put its planned Powerpuff Girls reunion on hold following the death of voice actor Eric Bauza on October 25, 2026. Bauza died at age 46. He had helped launch the non-profit group as co-founder and was set to host the live stage gathering at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California. The program had been scheduled for November 7 under the title The Heroes of Townsville. Organizers said they have no plans to reschedule the charity program at this time [1].
Why the Event Was Delayed
The decision to pause the live show came after news of Bauza’s death spread through the animation community. Saturday Morning Cartoons United had organized the benefit evening to honor classic television animation, aiming to celebrate beloved characters while raising funds for charitable programs [2].
The Alex Theatre in Glendale had been booked for the full performance of The Heroes of Townsville: Featuring the Powerpuff Girls Cast + BIS Live. Ticket sales offered both general admission passes and VIP packages. When organizers halted preparations after Bauza’s passing, they moved quickly to provide complete refunds to all ticket buyers who purchased seats for the November 7 date. General admission buyers can request refunds through the Alex Theatre box office. VIP ticket holders can email info@cartoonsunited.com to settle accounts [1].
Organizers also said that ticket buyers who want to keep their money with the organization can let their purchases stand as charitable gifts. In an official message released to ticket buyers, the team acknowledged the public sympathy that followed the announcement. “The outpouring of love from fans and the animation, film, and voice-over communities has meant so much to us,” Saturday Morning Cartoons United said in its statement [2].
Powerpuff Girls Reunion Planned Guests
The planned fundraiser had lined up creative talent responsible for bringing The Powerpuff Girls to television screens in 1998. Craig McCracken was scheduled to appear in person. He created the show while studying at college and helped shape the look and sound of the property. McCracken’s presence served as a main highlight for the Glendale gathering, giving animation enthusiasts a chance to hear firsthand memories about the creation of Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup from the artist who conceived them [2].
Artists Lauren Faust and Paul Rudish, who both worked on the original Cartoon Network production, were also slated to participate in panel discussions. Television executive Linda Simensky was chosen to serve as moderator [2].
The gathering had also secured appearances from the original voice trio that defined the superhero siblings for six television seasons. Catherine Cavadini was set to join Tara Strong and E.G. Daily on stage. Cavadini voiced Blossom, Strong voiced Bubbles, and Daily played Buttercup. Fans had looked forward to seeing all three actors together to recreate classic dialogue and share behind-the-scenes stories about recording sessions at Hanna-Barbera. Bauza was preparing to guide the presentation before his death paused the event [2].
Eric Bauza and His Community Work
Eric Bauza built a long career in Canadian and American animation before founding Saturday Morning Cartoons United to help artists and fans. He was born on December 7, 1979, in Toronto. He attended Cardinal Newman Catholic High School from 1993 to 1996 and graduated from Centennial College in 2000 [4].
His early work in California included an internship at Spümcø and production duties on shows such as The Ripping Friends, which provided his first voice role. His career grew after he took over the role of Stimpy on Ren & Stimpy “Adult Party Cartoon”, which opened doors to voicing classic characters including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety, and Marvin the Martian. Those performances earned him three Emmy Awards. The honors recognized his work on Looney Tunes Cartoons, Bugs Bunny Builders, and Teen Titans Go! between 2020 and 2024. He also voiced Woody Woodpecker and hosted the documentary series Stay Tooned for CBC Gem [4].
Beyond his film and television voice roles in Hollywood, Bauza wanted to build community spaces where people could enjoy classic cartoon heritage, so he co-founded Saturday Morning Cartoons United as a non-profit group to host screenings and raise money for charity. He passed away on October 25, 2026. Colleagues and audiences around the world mourned when voice actor Eric Bauza died at age 46. Following his passing, the non-profit group paused its public calendar to support his family, including his young son and his fiancé, branding consultant Caro Beurmann [2].
The Original Series in Townsville
The event drew strong interest because The Powerpuff Girls remains central to American television animation history. Series creator Craig McCracken first conceived the superhero trio in 1991 while studying character animation at the California Institute of the Arts, drawing three young girls with bold designs for a student short film titled Whoopass Stew!. Hanna-Barbera hired McCracken soon after. McCracken then changed the name to The Powerpuff Girls and produced an animated pilot for the What a Cartoon! showcase, which debuted on February 20, 1995 [3].
The full series officially debuted on Cartoon Network on November 18, 1998, quickly winning a large following with its stylized action and humor. It was set in Townsville. Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup protected citizens from criminal threats and giant monsters. According to the show’s origin story, Professor Utonium accidentally spilled Chemical X into a cooking blend of sugar, spice, and everything nice, producing three kindergarten girls with flight, super strength, and unique elemental powers [3].
Over its six-season run through March 25, 2005, the show produced 78 episodes, two pilot shorts, a feature-length film, and three holiday specials. It earned six Emmy Award nominations and nine Annie Award nominations. Because the creative team had not assembled publicly in years, the scheduled Powerpuff Girls reunion offered a rare opportunity for fans to honor the series with its original makers [3]. Townsville still holds a loyal following.
Powerpuff Girls Reunion Ticket Options
Following the cancellation, Saturday Morning Cartoons United published directions for ticket holders seeking refunds or wishing to assist Bauza’s family. General admission ticket holders must contact the Alex Theatre box office to receive their money back [1].
VIP ticket purchasers who bought higher-tier packages should send an email to info@cartoonsunited.com to arrange reimbursement. Ticket buyers who prefer not to request a refund can allow their purchase fees to stay with Saturday Morning Cartoons United as a contribution. Those funds will continue to support charitable programs that Bauza helped launch. In addition, members of the public who want to provide financial assistance to Bauza’s family can find a Patreon link on the non-profit’s website, where proceeds will go to help his fiancé, Caroline Buermann, and his young son [2].
The team asked ticket holders and donors for patience during this period of grief. “Please know that every inquiry will be addressed and every ticket holder will be taken care of,” the statement said. While fans can’t attend the planned Powerpuff Girls reunion this autumn, the animation community has rallied to protect Bauza’s memory and support the charitable mission he left behind [2].
- ONLINE NEWS Sarto, D. (2026, October 29). Powerpuff Girls Cast Event Postponed After Eric Bauza’s Passing. Animation World Network. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Lang, J. (2026, October 28). ‘Powerpuff Girls’ Reunion Postponed After Eric Bauza’s Death. Cartoon Brew. [Article Link]
- WEBSITE Wikipedia. (n.d.). The Powerpuff Girls. [Article Link]
- WEBSITE Wikipedia. (n.d.). Eric Bauza. [Article Link]
