In tragic news, former Mythbusters star and animatronics genius Grant Imahara has died suddenly at the age of 49.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the celebrated electrical engineer and roboticist passed away following a brain aneurysm.
His Mythbusters co-genius, Adam Savage, has been one of many paying tribute to the departed legend, writing: “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
While fellow Mythbuster Kari Byron shared a snap of the pair with their co-star Tory Belleci, writing: “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
Our hearts!
Elsewhere, a spokesperson for the Discovery Channel (Mythbusters’ home in the US) said the company was “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,” they said.
Imahara kicked off his career at George Lucas’s legendary Industrial Light & Magic visual effects company, working on a bunch of robots and radio-controlled devices for the Star Wars prequels, including the real R2-D2 (!!)
He joined the Mythbusters squad in the show’s third season, becoming a part of the Build Team, who were largely responsible for constructing all the fancy mechanical contraptions that helped them bust those myths.
Relive some of his genius below.
RIP.
