Grant Imahara, an electrical engineer and former host of Mythbusters, has passed away at the age of 49.
Discovery Channel shared the news in a statement to Variety magazine but did not provide further details regarding his death.
“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,” the statement read.
It was later confirmed that he died after suffering a brain aneurysm.
#Mythbusters host Grant Imahara has died: “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," says Discovery Channel https://t.co/dMgJwIuuIV pic.twitter.com/1NXzyWriYK
— Variety (@Variety) July 14, 2020
Imahara was the co-host of over 200 Mythbusters episodes from 2005 to 2014.
In addition, he co-hosted Netflix’s White Rabbit Project, side by side with his fellow Mythbusters colleagues Tory Belleci and Kari Byron.
Byron posted a picture of the three of them on social media which read:
“Somedays I wish I had a time machine.”
Somedays I wish I had a time machine. @ToryBelleci @grantimahara pic.twitter.com/o9FRE2l16W
— Kari Byron (@KariByron) July 13, 2020
Adam Savage, another Mythbusters star, shared a heartbreaking message saying:
“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.”
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
Born in LA, Imahara graduated as an electrical engineer at the University of Southern California.
Later on, he was hired by Lucasfilm, where he spent 9 years working for the Industrial Light & Magic visual effects studio.
Pleased to present my newest creation: a fully animatronic Baby Yoda. Special thx to @SaltiestHime for silicone skin/paint/hair, @thelindsayjane for the coat and Project 842 for the digital model. Touring children’s hospitals starting in April! #BabyYoda #TheMandalorian #Starwars pic.twitter.com/XsDqGtEHt6
— Grant Imahara (@grantimahara) March 6, 2020
Imahara was the chief model maker and expert in animatronics that were used on the Star Wars series, Van Helsing, The Matrix Reloaded, Terminator 3, and The Lost World: Jurassic Park.
