- [Tiffany] Grant Imahara, the host of
the popular science show "MythBusters"
and the Netflix show "White
Rabbit Project", has died.
He was 49.
"The Hollywood Reporter" has
learned Imahara died suddenly
following a brain aneurysm.
A representative for
Discovery said in a statement
on Monday, "We are heartbroken to hear
"the 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."
An electrical engineer and
roboticist by training,
he joined Discovery's
"MythBusters" in its third season
and was with the show until 2014,
when he left with co-hosts
Kari Byron and Tory Belleci.
The trio would reunite in
2016 for the Netflix show
"White Rabbit Project",
which lasted for one season.
On "MythBusters", he used
his technical expertise
to design and build robots for the show
and also operated the computers
and electronics needed
to test myths.
- So the great thing about this
test is that the characters
are superhuman, not supernatural.
I mean they're not vampires,
they don't use magic,
they don't have telekinetic
powers to curve the bullet.
- [Tiffany] On Monday evening,
Imahara's "MythBusters"
and "White Rabbit Project"
co-host Kari Byron tweeted,
"Heartbroken and in shock tonight.
"We were just talking on the phone.
"This isn't real."
Later on Monday, "MythBusters"
co-host Adam Savage
also tweeted, "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."
Born in Los Angeles, Imahara
studied electrical engineering
at the University of Southern California,
though he briefly had doubts
and wanted to become a screenwriter,
before combining the two passions
and landing a post-graduation gig
at the Lucas Film associated THX Labs.
In his nine years at Lucas Film,
he worked for the company's
THX and Industrial Light
and Magic divisions.
In his years at Industrial
Light and Magic,
he became chief model maker,
specializing in animatronics
and worked on George Lucas'
"Star Wars" prequels, as well
as "The Matrix Reloaded",
"The Matrix Revolutions", "Galaxy Quest",
"The Lost World: Jurassic Park",
"A.I. Artificial Intelligence",
and "Terminator 3: Rise of
the Machines", among others.
For more on Grant
Imahara's life and career,
head to thr.com.
For "The Hollywood Reporter
News", I'm Tiffany Taylor.
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