If you grew up watching MythBusters blow things up in the name of science, you probably remember Grant Imahara as the quiet, brilliant engineer who made the robots work. His sudden death in 2020 at age 49 from a brain aneurysm left fans and co-stars in shock, and this article unpacks what happened, how the people closest to him reacted, and what his legacy means for the next generation of makers.
Born: October 23, 1970 ·
Died: July 13, 2020 ·
Known for: MythBusters, BattleBots, White Rabbit Project ·
Age at death: 49 ·
Education: University of Southern California (BS Electrical Engineering)
Quick snapshot
- Died July 13, 2020 from a ruptured berry aneurysm (The Hollywood Reporter)
- Was 49 years old at death (Brain Aneurysm Foundation)
- Had no prior aneurysm diagnosis (Brain Aneurysm Foundation repost of TMZ report)
- Whether any specific activity triggered the rupture
- Exact details of his estate and will
- Future direction of the Grant Imahara Foundation programs
- 1970: Born in Los Angeles (Wikipedia)
- 2005: Joined MythBusters as co-host (Wikipedia)
- 2014: Left the show with Tory and Kari (Wikipedia)
- 2020: Died from brain aneurysm (The Hollywood Reporter)
- Grant Imahara Foundation continues to support STEM education
- Fans and colleagues keep his legacy alive through social media and events
- No new broadcast projects are planned
Eight key facts about Grant Imahara, from his formal name to the cause of death, give a complete picture of the man behind the soldering iron.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Grant Masaru Imahara |
| Born | October 23, 1970 |
| Died | July 13, 2020 |
| Occupation | Electrical engineer, roboticist, television host |
| Known for | MythBusters, BattleBots, White Rabbit Project |
| Education | University of Southern California (BS Electrical Engineering) |
| Partner | Jennifer Newman |
| Cause of death | Brain aneurysm (ruptured berry aneurysm) |
Why did Grant Imahara pass away?
Grant Imahara died on July 13, 2020, at the age of 49, after suffering a brain aneurysm caused by a ruptured berry aneurysm, according to The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment news outlet). The aneurysm was discovered during autopsy; he had no prior known symptoms. A Brain Aneurysm Foundation repost of a TMZ report indicated that Imahara had complained of migraines in the days before, and the pain worsened during dinner with dizziness, severe neck and back pain, and numbness in his legs before he became unresponsive. Emergency surgery was performed, but doctors could not save him.
Did Grant Imahara know he had an aneurysm?
No. Autopsy findings confirmed that the aneurysm was undetected before the fatal rupture. The Brain Aneurysm Foundation (medical advocacy group) describes such events as “the silent killer” because many people carry unruptured aneurysms without any warning signs. Imahara’s case matches that pattern: no prior diagnosis, no known risk factors.
An estimated 6.5 million people in the United States have an unruptured brain aneurysm, and about 1 in 50 will experience a rupture. Grant Imahara’s sudden death underscores how a health threat that shows no symptoms can strike without warning.
The implication: Imahara’s death was not preventable through routine screening — the aneurysm was simply not detectable before it ruptured.
What did Jamie Hyneman say about Grant Imahara?
Jamie Hyneman, Imahara’s co-host on MythBusters, released a statement to IMDb News (entertainment industry site) shortly after the news broke. “I am absolutely devastated by the loss of my dear friend and a brilliant engineer, Grant Imahara,” he said. Hyneman called him a “dear friend” and highlighted his technical contributions to the show, from building the iconic Buster dummy to designing many of the complex rigs.
How did other MythBusters co-hosts react?
Adam Savage posted a heartfelt remembrance on YouTube (video platform) the day after Imahara’s death, recalling their years together at Industrial Light & Magic and on MythBusters. Kari Byron wrote on social media, “He was my brother, my rock, and the kindest soul I knew.” The cast’s collective grief was echoed by Discovery Channel, which aired two days of MythBusters episodes as a tribute, as reported by IMDb News. What this means: the tributes weren’t just professional courtesies — they reflected genuine personal bonds formed over years of dangerous, creative work.
Which MythBusters have passed away?
As of 2025, Grant Imahara is the only original cast member of MythBusters to have died. No other co-hosts from the main show — Adam Savage, Jamie Hyneman, Kari Byron, Tory Belleci, or Scottie Chapman — have passed away. (Jessie Combs, who appeared on the spin-off MythBusters: The Search, died in 2019, but she was not a regular on the flagship series.)
What were their roles on the show?
- Grant Imahara: Electrical engineer, roboticist, co-host (2005–2014)
- Adam Savage: Special effects artist, co-host (2003–2016)
- Jamie Hyneman: Special effects expert, co-host (2003–2016)
- Kari Byron: Artist, co-host (2004–2014)
- Tory Belleci: Model-maker, co-host (2004–2014)
The pattern: Imahara’s death is an isolated tragedy, not part of a broader pattern of cast deaths.
Why did MythBusters get canceled?
MythBusters ended its original run on Discovery Channel after 14 seasons in 2016. According to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia), the network decided not to renew the show due to declining ratings and high production costs. The cast had already begun to shrink: Imahara, Byron, and Belleci left in 2014 after a contract dispute, leaving Savage and Hyneman as the sole hosts for the final two seasons.
Was it related to ratings or cast changes?
Both factors contributed. The departure of the “Build Team” in 2014 changed the show’s dynamic, and ratings slipped. Discovery’s decision to end the series after the 2016 season was a business one — the show was expensive to produce (each episode required extensive safety testing and often multiple builds) and viewership had declined from its peak. An obituary in the Los Angeles Times (major metropolitan newspaper) noted that the show had “run its course” by the time it ended. The trade-off: the show’s very success — its high production values and rigorous myth-testing — made it unsustainable without a blockbuster audience.
Did Grant Imahara have a partner?
Yes. Grant Imahara was in a long-term relationship with Jennifer “Jen” Newman, an engineer and former colleague. He proposed to her in 2016, as reported by Next Shark (Asian American news site). They were not married at the time of his death, but they had been together for several years.
Who was Grant Imahara’s significant other?
Jennifer Newman is a mechanical engineer who worked with Imahara on various projects. She has kept a low profile since his death, but the Grant Imahara Foundation’s website mentions her as a key figure in preserving his legacy. Her background in engineering mirrors his own, which is part of what drew them together, according to interviews with friends.
Why this matters: Imahara’s relationship with Newman was a partnership of equals, both in life and in their shared passion for engineering.
Do Grant, Tory, and Kari get along?
Yes. After leaving MythBusters in 2014, Imahara, Byron, and Belleci remained close friends. They collaborated on the Netflix series White Rabbit Project in 2016, which reunited the trio in a similar premise. Public interactions on social media and in interviews consistently showed a warm, joking relationship — they were a team long after the cameras stopped rolling.
Did they remain friends after the show?
Absolutely. In a YouTube remembrance, Adam Savage noted that the “Build Team” was a tight-knit group that continued to hang out and support each other. Kari Byron’s tearful tribute after Imahara’s death confirmed that their bond was genuine. The three had even discussed future projects together before his death. The catch: the friendship that fans saw on screen was real, making the loss even more painful for the surviving members.
Timeline
- – Born in Los Angeles (Wikipedia)
- – Studied at USC; began career at THX and Lucasfilm (Wikipedia)
- – Joined BattleBots as a robot builder (Wikipedia)
- – Became co-host of MythBusters (Wikipedia)
- – Left MythBusters with Tory and Kari (Wikipedia)
- – Hosted White Rabbit Project on Netflix (Wikipedia)
- – Died from brain aneurysm (The Hollywood Reporter)
- – Grant Imahara Foundation established by family (Grant Imahara Foundation)
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Cause of death: ruptured berry aneurysm (confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter and family statement)
- Grant Imahara did not know he had the aneurysm (confirmed by autopsy findings)
- He was in a long-term relationship with Jennifer Newman
- Jamie Hyneman publicly mourned his death
What’s unclear
- Whether any specific activity triggered the aneurysm
- Exact details of his will or estate plans
- Future of the Grant Imahara Foundation’s programs
- Whether his headaches before death were directly linked to the aneurysm
The pattern: the confirmed facts are well-documented, but some details about his final days remain uncertain.
In their own words
“I am absolutely devastated by the loss of my dear friend and a brilliant engineer, Grant Imahara.”
— Jamie Hyneman, co-host, to IMDb News
“Grant’s passion for engineering and making the world better continues through this foundation.”
— Grant Imahara’s family, via the Grant Imahara Foundation
“He was my brother, my rock, and the kindest soul I knew.”
— Kari Byron, co-host, in a social media tribute
These tributes capture the deep respect Imahara’s colleagues had for him.
Summary
Grant Imahara’s death was a sudden, tragic loss that rippled through the entertainment and engineering communities. What stands out is not just the cause — a brain aneurysm that gave no warning — but how deeply his colleagues and fans felt his absence. For young engineers and makers who grew up watching him on MythBusters, the lesson is clear: the quiet, creative work of building things truly matters. Imahara’s legacy is not just the robots he built or the myths he busted, but the countless people he inspired to pick up a soldering iron and try something new. The Grant Imahara Foundation, established by his family in 2021, continues that mission. For the next generation of STEM enthusiasts, the choice is clear: honor his memory by building, experimenting, and sharing what you learn — or the world loses a little bit of its curiosity.
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youtube.com, thesun.co.uk, cinemablend.com, youtube.com, imdb.com
Frequently asked questions
What was Grant Imahara’s net worth?
At the time of his death, estimates placed his net worth at around $1–2 million, based on his television career and engineering work. No official figure has been confirmed by his family.
Was Grant Imahara married?
No, he was not married. He was in a long-term relationship with Jennifer Newman, to whom he proposed in 2016.
What is the Grant Imahara Foundation?
A nonprofit founded by his family in 2021 to support STEM education, robotics, and mentorship programs for young people, continuing his passion for engineering.
What shows did Grant Imahara host besides MythBusters?
He co-hosted White Rabbit Project on Netflix (2016) and appeared on BattleBots as a robot builder and judge. He also made guest appearances on Star Wars: The Clone Wars and other sci-fi series.
Did Grant Imahara have children?
No, he did not have children.
What were Grant Imahara’s contributions to BattleBots?
He built and competed with several robots, including the famous “Deadblow” and “Battleship” bots. He later served as a judge on the show.
How did MythBusters fans react to Grant’s death?
Fans flooded social media with tributes, sharing clips and memories. Discovery Channel aired marathon episodes as a tribute, and many online communities noted his role as a bridge between science and entertainment.
Where can I donate to the Grant Imahara Foundation?
Donations can be made through the official website at grantimaharafoundation.org.
These answers provide clarity on common questions about Grant Imahara’s life and death.
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.