'MythBusters' Host Grant Imahara Dead at Age 49
One of the men of “MythBusters” has died.
Grant Imahara, who was a co-host of the popular science show “MythBusters” on the Discovery Channel and contributed to the production of the “Star Wars” franchise and other major films, is thought to have died of a brain aneurism Monday, The New York Times reported.
He was 49.
We are heartbroken to hear this sad news about Grant. He was an important part of our Discovery family and a really wonderful man. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.? https://t.co/AqiW4zQxD1
— MythBusters (@MythBusters) July 14, 2020
“We are heartbroken to hear this sad news about Grant,” a “MythBusters” Twitter post stated Tuesday morning. “He was an important part of our Discovery family and a really wonderful man. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”
“MythBusters” co-host Adam Savage tweeted his reaction to the news late Monday, calling Imahara a “brilliant engineer, artist and performer” – but also much more.
I’m at a loss. No words. I’ve been part of two big families with Grant Imahara over the last 22 years. Grant was a truly brilliant engineer, artist and performer, but also just such a generous, easygoing, and gentle PERSON. Working with Grant was so much fun. I’ll miss my friend.
— Adam Savage (@donttrythis) July 14, 2020
“I’m at a loss. No words. I’ve been part of two big families with Grant Imahara over the last 22 years. Grant was a truly brilliant engineer, artist and performer, but also just such a generous, easygoing, and gentle PERSON. Working with Grant was so much fun. I’ll miss my friend.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Imahara was a Los Angeles native who studied electrical engineering at the University of Southern California.
He also wanted to become a screenwriter, however, and went to work at Lucasfilm’s THX labs after graduation and also worked for Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light and Magic division, according to THR.
During his nine years with Lucasfilm, the production company founded by “Star Wars” creator George Lucas, Imahara became the “chief model maker specializing in animatronics.” He worked on the “Star Wars” prequels as well as “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions” with Keanu Reeves, “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” and “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,” among other projects.
The New York Times reported Imahara operated R2-D2, the iconic android, in the “Star Wars” prequels.
He worked on “MythBusters” from 2005 to 2014, The New York Times reported.
“MythBusters” co-hosts Tory Belleci and Kari Byron, who also worked with Imahara on the Netflix series “White Rabbit Project,” posted their regrets on news of his passing.
I just cannot believe it. I don’t even know what to say. My heart is broken. Goodbye buddy @grantimahara pic.twitter.com/HkLYaBK1dw
— Tory Belleci (@ToryBelleci) July 14, 2020
“My heart is broken,” Belleci wrote.
We had so many adventures. You taught me so much. pic.twitter.com/okxnTtpLjf
— Kari Byron (@KariByron) July 14, 2020
“You taught me so much,” Byron wrote.
Imaraha’s death comes less than a year after the death of former “MythBusters” co-host Jessi Combs.
According to The New York Times, no further details about Imahara’s death were available.
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