Legendary Mythbusters host and technical whiz Grant Imahara died late Monday, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The 49-year-old reportedly suffered a brain aneurysm, and died suddenly. In a statement, a representative for Discovery, which produced and aired Mythbusters, said, “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.”
Imahara was trained as an electrical engineer and roboticist, tapping into both skills for eight seasons, leaving along with Kari Byron and Tory Belleci in 2014. The show, former hosts, and creator Adam Savage reacted on Twitter, posting tributes to Imahara.
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
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
Somedays I wish I had a time machine. @ToryBelleci @grantimahara pic.twitter.com/o9FRE2l16W
— Kari Byron (@KariByron) July 13, 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.
— Adam Savage (@donttrythis) July 14, 2020
Grant Imahara with the Industrial Light & Magic animatronics team for “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.”
Imahara, who worked for LucasFilm’s Industrial Light & Magic, was an animatronics technician controlling the R2D2 units on the Star Wars prequel films. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Lost World: Jurassic Park, and The Matrix sequels are all among his film and TV credits. Before joining Mythbusters in 2005, he built a robot that eventually won the championship on Battle Bots. His Twitter feed is filled with geeky and technical wonders. Worth a scroll to remember a life gone too soon.