“MythBusters” Host Grant Imahara Dead at 49

Imahara died suddenly after a brain aneurysm

 Grant Imahara arrives for The Geekie Awards 2014 held at Avalon on August 17, 2014 in Hollywood, California.  (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
Grant Imahara arrives for The Geekie Awards 2014 held at Avalon on August 17, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Grant Imahara, best known as the host of Discovery Channel’s MythBusters and Netflix’s White Rabbit Project has died unexpectedly at the age of 49 after suffering a brain aneurysm, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Imahara, an electrical engineer and roboticist by training, joined MythBusters in its third season, replacing Scottie Chapman. He hosted that series until 2014, and in 2016 he and his MythBusters co-hosts Kari Byron and Tory Belleci reunited for Netflix’s White Rabbit Project.

“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 the Discovery Channel said in a statement. Imahara’s co-host Adam Savage also paid tribute to him, tweeting, “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.”

In addition to his time in front of the camera, Imahara worked behind the scenes for nine years in Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light and Magic division, where he became chief model maker specializing in animatronics and worked on films including George Lucas’ Star Wars prequels, The Matrix ReloadedThe Matrix RevolutionsGalaxy QuestXXX: State of the UnionVan HelsingThe Lost World: Jurassic ParkA.I. Artificial Intelligence and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.

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