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Remembering Mythbusters Co-Host Grant Imahara 1

Remembering Mythbusters Co-Host Grant Imahara

Imahra Was a Major Contributor to Hollywood's Technology Departments and Pop Culture Animatronics

  • Clement Goh Clement Goh
  • July 14, 2020
  • 2 Minute Read

Grant Imahara, a mechanical engineer who co-hosted Mythbusters and worked on Hollywood’s technical effects has died at age 49 from a sudden brain aneurysm.

His passing was announced by friends, family and the Mythbusters team on Monday, July 13, 2020. Mythbusters co-host Adam Savage expressed a loss for words while celebrating his abilities as an engineer and “a generous, easygoing and gentle person.”

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 on October 23, 1970, Imahara grew up in California and pursued an electrical engineering degree before falling in love with screenwriting. He kept movies in his mind as he continued to apply his engineering skills with the USC School of Cinematic Arts. This was also when he joined THX, a Lucasfilm Division and became involved with movies such as Star Wars, Terminator 3, The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions and Van Helsing.

Co-host Kari Byron also tweeted a set picture with Grant Imahara, after the Mythbusters team expanded during Season three. Imahara, Byron and Tori Belleci gradually became series regulars and introduced more myths based on Hollywood and video games. Imahara’s experience as a mechanical engineer was used to build contraptions for vehicles and weapons, which would be used with superhuman physics to mimic fiction.

The series had continued featuring Imahara until it aired a final episode in 2018.

Imahara had also joined Lucasfilm as an engineer, later working as a chief animatronic enginner for George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Macic (ILM). Imahara helped develop the fabled R2D2 droid for the Star Wars prequels, and operated the character for almost all of his live action scenes. He also was credited for adding modern mechanics into the older R2 units, with many of his ideas updating them for use in future films.

We’re still processing and likely will be for some time. Grant was an amazing talent and forever an ILMer. Tonight our thoughts are with his family and friends💔.https://t.co/EsmkJgzSCF

— ILMVFX (@ILMVFX) July 14, 2020

According to WIRED, Imahara also put on the C-3PO suit for various Star Wars events. He also contributed to The Lost World: Jurassic Park with their live action animatronic dinosaurs and other visual effects.

But Grant Imahara’s departure from Mythbusters was only the beginning for a new series in 2016. He reunited with Byron and Belleci for the White Rabbit Project on Netflix, which explored deeper Hollywood myths based on superpowered tech, weapons and stunts.

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

According to video game and animation voice actor Matthew Mercer, Grant Imahara was a close friend who made “charity and community work as a priority” while using his projects to promote the cool parts of science and technology. He has also been an avid board game RPG fan and shared many adventures with Mercer.

He was passionate about making tomorrow a little better, in ways big and small. In being a mentor and entertainer, to make others smile with his gifts. His generosity was unrivaled. There are too many stories. Too many wonderful memories. We miss you, bud. <3 pic.twitter.com/KQ87NK4jht

— Matthew Mercer (@matthewmercer) July 14, 2020

“There are rare, RARE people in this world that are made of pure love, light, and kindness. @grantimahara is one of the brightest,” Mercer first tweeted in a thread.

“Not an ounce of malice within that soul. Intelligence and heart that eclipse so much shadow. His years of friendship are precious to so many,” he added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRAEBbotuIE

Rest in Peace, Grant Imahara.

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Clement Goh

Clement Goh

Clement is a big gamer, but an even bigger listener. Little did he know, it would be the niche he was looking for after j-school. He experiments as CGM's VR Editor and doesn't hesitate to break the games industry's most pressing issues.
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