Fans of the Discovery Channel hit show MythBusters (which, if you’re reading this, probably includes you) know that Grant Imahara is the program’s resident electronics and robotics wizard. But did you know he actually used to be a robot?
In fact, in a recent appearance at Sage College in Albany, NY, Imahara elicited gasps from the audience when he talked about the ten years he spent filling in as C-3PO at live Star Wars events and for TV appearances. As reported by the Albany Times-Union, Imahara suited up as the gold-skinned droid for commercials, theater openings, and on Oprah Winfrey’s TV show. He even got to meet Carrie Fisher of Princess Leia fame at a red carpet event — where the suit’s muffling effect saved the flustered Imahara from having to come up with something to say.
According to the site StarWarsHelmets.com, the suit designed to fit Imahara made a brief appearance in Episode One — apparently without the future MythBuster inside. However, Imahara has another Star Wars connection: he also “robotized” the R2-D2 used for the prequel trilogy. In the earlier movies, 3 ft 8 in (112 cm) tall actor Kenny Baker manipulated R2-D2 from the inside.
Images: Tamara Hansen / Sage Colleges; StarWarsHelmets.com
