Grant Imahara
Dive into the life and legacy of Grant Imahara (1970–2020), the American electrical engineer, roboticist, and beloved TV science communicator. Discover his journey from Lucasfilm to MythBusters, his creative philosophy, and enduring influence.
Introduction
Grant Masaru Imahara (October 23, 1970 – July 13, 2020) was an American engineer, roboticist, and television host who combined deep technical expertise with a charismatic on-screen presence.
Best known for his decade as part of the MythBusters build team, he helped demystify science, build fantastic machines, and inspire countless engineers and makers.
His legacy continues not just through his work, but via the Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation, which promotes science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to underserved youth.
Early Life and Family
Grant Imahara was born in Los Angeles, California, into a Japanese-American family. Carolyn Imahara.
From a young age, he exhibited a curiosity about how things work. He would often take apart toys and build with Lego, spending hours exploring mechanical behavior and electronics.
This inquisitive mindset would become the foundation of his life’s work: bridging imagination, engineering, and entertainment.
Youth and Education
Imahara attended the University of Southern California (USC), earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (class of 1993).
Interestingly, during his studies he briefly considered becoming a screenwriter, but ultimately decided to stay in engineering after encouragement from a USC professor.
He also worked on projects related to THX (the cinema sound standard) during his early career, which strengthened his technical foundation in audio, electronics, and cinematic systems.
Career and Achievements
Early Professional Work: Lucasfilm & ILM
After graduation, Imahara joined Lucasfilm’s THX division and later moved to Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), where he worked as a model maker, electronics engineer, and visual effects technologist.
His contributions spanned iconic film franchises: Star Wars prequels, Jurassic Park, The Matrix, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Terminator 3, and more.
At ILM, he also worked on updating and maintaining the behaviour of astromech droids, including R2-D2, integrating electronics and mechanical systems.
MythBusters and Television Outreach
In 2005, Imahara joined MythBusters as a member of the “Build Team,” alongside Kari Byron and Tory Belleci.
On the show, his role was mainly in electronics, robotics, and designing devices needed to test myths — from automated rigs to remote control systems.
Over his tenure, he appeared in over 200 episodes before departing in 2014.
In 2016, he reunited with his MythBusters colleagues for White Rabbit Project (a Netflix show) exploring curiosities in science, history, and technology.
He also designed an animatronic robot skeleton, Geoff Peterson, to be used as a sidekick on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
Later Projects and Innovation
Beyond television, Imahara continued to work on ambitious tech and robotics ventures:
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He turned his attention to theme-park robotics, consulting for Disney Imagineering on projects like Stuntronics / acrobatic animatronics.
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In early 2020, he built a life-sized animatronic Baby Yoda (Grogu) as a personal project, intending to bring joy to children’s hospitals.
Throughout his life, Imahara also engaged in mentoring, particularly with robotics teams (such as the Richmond High School robotics team), sharing his expertise and inspiring the next generation of makers.
Historical & Contextual Impact
Grant Imahara’s career spanned a transitional era when entertainment and engineering increasingly merged. As digital effects, robotics, and media advanced, his ability to work across film, television, and interactive robotics positioned him as a boundary-crossing figure.
He helped popularize the idea that engineering and robotics could be not just functional, but playful, accessible, and emotionally resonant. His presence on MythBusters made technical work compelling and human.
Additionally, his work in visual effects contributed to the seamless integration of mechanical systems and digital artistry in blockbuster films.
In education and in public engagement, he served as a role model — particularly for underrepresented groups in engineering (as an Asian-American engineer in high-profile media) — showing that technical passion can translate to wide influence.
Personality, Philosophy & Character
Imahara was known for his humility, curiosity, and quiet confidence. Colleagues often describe him as generous with his time, deeply reflective, and always eager to learn.
He balanced a love for precision and craft with a playful heart — building robots, automata, and imaginative electronics not just as engineering challenges but as forms of expression.
In interviews and speeches, he often emphasized creativity’s role in engineering, and how constraints can spark innovation. He believed that imagination and technical skill should go hand in hand.
One of his more quoted remarks:
“I never wanted to be James Bond. I wanted to be Q.”
This reflects how he valued being the behind-the-scenes gadgeteer and technologist, creating tools rather than being in the spotlight.
Famous Quotes of Grant Imahara
Here are a selection of quotes attributed to Grant Imahara, revealing his mindset:
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“I have a secret weapon. And it could have something to do with special robot knowledge.”
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“Hopefully, the 27th time’s the charm!”
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“I think we’re on too many government watch lists. We’d better let this one go.”
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“I was one of those kids that would take apart the remote control and take all the wheels off my little toy cars.”
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“In special effects, you can cheat to make it look good. In real science, you have to have results.”
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“The people who are changing our world are starting from an idea and bringing it all the way through to finished product with the power of their intellect, training, tools and available products.”
These lines reflect both humor and seriousness, the combination of playfulness and rigor that defined much of his work.
Lessons from Grant Imahara
From Grant Imahara’s life and career, we can extract several enduring lessons:
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Blend Creativity with Technical Skill
He showed that engineering isn’t just calculation — it’s design, imagination, and narrative. -
Persist Through Experimentation
Many builds failed, yet failure was part of the process. His “27th time’s the charm” approach is an attitude of iteration. -
Be a Connector
He bridged disciplines — film, robotics, television, education — reminding us that deeper innovation often lies at intersections. -
Mentorship Matters
His work with robotics teams and his foundation amplify his impact beyond his personal projects. -
Humility & Curiosity
Even with acclaim, he remained grounded and open to learning. He wasn’t afraid to say, “I don’t know, let’s explore together.” -
Lead Behind the Scenes
He often preferred to design, build, and empower rather than dominate the spotlight — a potent leadership through enabling.
Death & Legacy
Grant Imahara passed away on July 13, 2020, at age 49, due to a ruptured intracranial aneurysm.
In tribute, Discovery Channel and Science Channel aired a marathon of MythBusters episodes and other projects he contributed to.
On what would have been his 50th birthday (October 23, 2020), the Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation was launched to support underprivileged youth in STEAM fields.
Additionally, the robotics community honored him by naming the BattleBots “Best Design Award” in his memory.
His influence lives on through the many people he inspired, through the foundation, and through every engineer or maker who embraces curiosity, creativity, and play.
Conclusion
Grant Imahara’s life was a testament to the power of imagination, technical mastery, and public engagement. He showed that engineering could be enchanting, narrative-rich, and deeply human. From building animatronics to experimenting with extreme myths, he brought joy, wonder, and insight to audiences worldwide.
Though his life was cut short, his spirit endures — not only in the machines and shows he left behind, but in every young mind that wonders “How does this work?” and dares to build something new.