Overview
Grant Masaru Imahara (October 23, 1970 – July 13, 2020) was an American electrical engineer, roboticist and television host. He combined technical skill with on-screen presentation to make engineering and robotics accessible to broad audiences. Imahara is best known for his long-running role on the science-entertainment series MythBusters and for co-hosting the Netflix series White Rabbit Project.
Early life and education
Imahara was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He studied electrical engineering at the University of Southern California, where he gained foundational skills in electronics, control systems and mechatronics that he later applied to both film special effects and experimental builds on television. He was of Japanese American heritage and took part in outreach that encouraged young people to explore STEM fields.
Career in film and robotics
Before becoming a television personality, Imahara spent many years as a technical artist and engineer at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), where he worked on animatronics, remote-control puppets and robotic characters used in major motion pictures. His role blended electronics, fabrication and programming to bring creatures and effects to life for on-screen production. He remained active in the maker and robotics communities, often consulting on projects that required custom control systems and embedded electronics.
Television and public outreach
On MythBusters, Imahara joined the build and testing teams, applying his robotics expertise to design, construct and operate devices for myth experiments. He later teamed with former MythBusters colleagues to present engineering challenges and unusual investigations on Netflix's White Rabbit Project. Beyond these series, he made guest appearances on science programs, spoke at conventions, ran workshops and produced online content aimed at demystifying engineering principles for enthusiasts and students.
Notable projects and distinctions
- Long tenure at a leading visual effects studio, contributing to animatronics and practical effects used in blockbuster films.
- Practical demonstrations of robotics and electronics on mainstream television that increased public interest in hands-on STEM.
- Collaborations with maker communities and participation in events that promoted engineering education.
Death and legacy
Grant Imahara died suddenly in Los Angeles on July 13, 2020, at the age of 49 from a ruptured intracranial aneurysm. His passing was widely mourned by colleagues, fans and the STEM outreach community. He is remembered for bridging professional engineering work and popular media, inspiring many to pursue careers in robotics, electronics and special effects.
For more about his work and public appearances, see program archives and interviews that document his projects and demonstrations.