Roboticist and Mythbusters Build Team alum Grant Imahara died on Monday, at age 49, as a consequence of a brain aneurysm. His unexpected passing shocked fans and colleagues, leaving a significant void in the world of engineering and entertainment. Imahara was not just a talented roboticist; he was an icon who inspired many through his work on television, particularly on the popular show Mythbusters.
A former engineer at Lucasfilm, Imahara developed visual effects for Industrial Light and Magic movies, making models for The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Galaxy Quest, The Matrix Reloaded, and the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, among others. His creative genius extended beyond film, where he was known as a live-action role-player and builder of the Battlebots competitor, Deadblow. He even portrayed Hikaru Sulu on the fan series Star Trek Continues. Imahara's contributions to science and entertainment made him a remarkable figure—a true hall of fame geek.
Sadly, the death of Imahara isn't the only tragedy connected to a show that attracts a disproportionate number of daredevils and risk-takers. In 2019, professional racer Jessi Combs tragically died while attempting to beat her own land speed record. Although Combs was part of the Mythbusters cast for only a brief period during the seventh season, she embodied the spirit of the show with her daring attitude and relentless pursuit of excellence.
Beginning in 2013, in between competing in off-road motorsports races like the Baja 1000 in Mexico and the rock-climbing King of Hammers in California, Combs repeatedly broke the women's four-wheel land speed record. She first topped a record set by Lee Breedlove in 1965 with the jet-powered North American Eagle, accelerating the rocket car to more than 398 miles per hour on the dry lake bed of Oregon's Alvord Desert. In 2016, she beat her own record, achieving a top speed of more than 477 mph.
On August 27, 2019, Combs returned to Alvord and beat her record again, accelerating a North American Eagle Project jet-powered car to more than 522 miles per hour. Unfortunately, during her second run, the front wheel failed while she was at top speed, resulting in a crash that tragically claimed her life.
Like Imahara, Combs possessed a rare combination of skills, making her both a capable presenter and a remarkable practical talent. She co-hosted the Spike TV show Xtreme 4x4 in the years before her Mythbusters appearances, showcasing her technical knowledge and passion for engineering.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Grant Imahara |
| Date of Birth | October 23, 1970 |
| Date of Death | July 13, 2020 |
| Occupation | Roboticist, Engineer, Television Personality |
| Notable Works | Mythbusters, Star Trek Continues, Battlebots |
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