Grant Imahara, the engineer who hosted science shows MythBusters and White Rabbit Project, has died at the age of 49. It is reported that he suffered a brain aneurysm.
The Hollywood Reporter says the death of the electrical engineer and robotocist was confirmed by MythBusters' broadcaster, the Discovery channel.
"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," a representative for Discovery said in a statement.
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/5k3GydZCzn
— Discovery (@Discovery) July 14, 2020
Imahara co-hosted over 200 episodes of MythBusters, having joined the series in 2005. He left his role as a regular presenter in 2014 but returned for guest appearances. Imahara went on to co-host science investigation series White Rabbit Project with his MythBusters colleagues Kari Byron and Tory Belleci. He also appeared on the robot competition series BattleBots.
Following the news of Imahara's death, Byron tweeted: "Somedays I wish I had a time machine" alongside a picture of her with Imahara and Belleci.
Somedays I wish I had a time machine. @ToryBelleci @grantimahara pic.twitter.com/o9FRE2l16W
— Kari Byron (@KariByron) July 13, 2020
We had so many adventures. You taught me so much. pic.twitter.com/okxnTtpLjf
— Kari Byron (@KariByron) July 14, 2020
"I just cannot believe it," Belleci wrote on Twitter. "I don't even know what to say. My heart is broken. Goodbye buddy @grantimahara."
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
Los Angeles-born Imahara studied electrical engineering at the University of Southern California and after graduation worked at Star Wars makers Lucasfilm's THX and Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) effects divisions.
The Hollywood Reporter says he was chief model maker specialising in animatronics on the Star Wars prequels and also worked on The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, A.I. Artificial Intelligence and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.
