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MythBusters' Grant Imahara 'felt dizzy and had severe pain' before he died at 49

MythBusters and White Rabbit Project star Grant Imahara reportedly complained of migraines days before he passed away, reports have claimed.

According to TMZ, a source close to the family said the 49-year-old was having dinner with his girlfriend on Saturday night when he began to feel dizzy, had severe pain in his neck and back and experienced numbness in his leg.

Grant Imahara during the 14th annual official Star Trek convention at the Rio Hotel & Casino on August xx, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He underwent two emergency surgeries for a brain aneurysm after being rushed to hospital but tragically came out of the second on in a critical condition.

TMZ reports that doctors realised the extent of his injuries while prepping him for a third surgery on Monday, with the star being completely unresponsive.

He was taken off life support on Monday, after which his death was confirmed by a representative from the Discovery Channel.

“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,” they said.

Grant Imahara laughing at an awards show
Grant Imahara has died at the age of 49. Photo: Getty

Grant first joined the MythBusters series in its third season in 2005 and remained there for more than 200 episodes until he left in 2014.

He used his technical expertise to help bust or prove myths on the show, operating computers and electronics needed to test theories.

Grant then helped launch Netflix's White Rabbit Project in 2016 alongside fellow MythBusters alumni Kari Byron and Tory Belleci.

mythbusters
Grant starred on MythBusters until 2014 Photo: ABC

Grant’s former co-stars have shared their shock as well as tributes online.

“I just cannot believe it. I don’t even know what to say. My heart is broken. Goodbye buddy,” Tory Belleci shared on Twitter, alongside an image of the pair on the show.

Meanwhile Adam Savage said he was at a “loss for words”, while Kari Byron simply shared a photo of herself and Grant.

“I’ve been part of two big families with Grant Imahara over the last 22 years,” he wrote. “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.”

Grant is survived by his long-term partner Jennifer Newman, who also shared a heartbreaking tribute alongside photos of the happy couple.

“I haven’t found the words. I don’t know if I’ll be able to. I lost a part of my heart and soul today,” she shared on Twitter.

“He was so generous and kind, so endlessly sweet and so loved by his incredible friends. I feel so lucky to have known him, to have loved & been loved by him.

“I love you, honey.”

The tragic news comes after another former member of the MythBusters cast died in August last year.

Racecar driver Jessi Combs, who also featured on the show as a builder and host, was killed in a crash attempting to break a land speed record at the age of just 36.

At the time MythBusters cast members shared tributes to their late colleague, calling her a “badass” and “brilliant”.

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