Tory Belleci facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tory Belleci
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Belleci in 2012
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| Born |
Salvatore Paul Belleci
October 30, 1970 Monterey, California, US
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| Alma mater | San Francisco State University |
| Occupation | Model maker, television host |
| Spouse(s) |
Erin Bothamley
(m. 2020) |
| Children | 1 |
Salvatore Paul Belleci (born October 30, 1970) is an American TV star and model maker. He is most famous for his work on the Discovery Channel show MythBusters. He also helped create models for movies like Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Tory made models of spaceships and race vehicles for these films.
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Early Life and Interests
Tory Belleci grew up with a strong interest in fire and explosions. When he was young, his father taught him how to make certain things. Later, he accidentally set part of his house on fire with a homemade device.
When he was 19, he almost got arrested for setting off a homemade explosive near his parents' home. A police officer encouraged him to find a safe way to use his love for explosions and special effects. This advice helped guide his future career. Tory is also a Christian.
Career Journey
Starting Out
In 1994, Tory finished film school at San Francisco State University. He then started working with Jamie Hyneman at a company called M5 Industries. Tory began by doing small jobs like cleaning, but he quickly learned more skills.
A few years later, he joined Industrial Light and Magic (ILM). He worked there for eight years, building models, sculpting, and painting for movies.
Joining MythBusters
Tory started working on the Discovery Channel's MythBusters in 2003. At first, he worked behind the scenes. In the second season, he became part of the show's build team. By the third season, his name appeared on screen. In 2005, Tory convinced his friend Grant Imahara, who also worked at ILM, to join the show.
Tory also worked on other famous movies. These include the Matrix trilogy, Van Helsing, Peter Pan, Starship Troopers, Galaxy Quest, and Bicentennial Man.
One of his short films, SandTrooper, was shown on Syfy and at the Slamdance Film Festival.
Adventures on MythBusters
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Tory was often seen as the most daring member of the MythBusters team. He frequently performed the more dangerous stunts when testing myths. For example, he tested if a human's tongue would stick to a frozen pole in the "Snow Special" episode. He also tried to stay underwater for an hour breathing through a dart tube.
One of his most famous stunts was trying to jump over a toy wagon on a bicycle. He didn't make it and landed on his face! Because of these stunts, he often had funny accidents while testing myths. It was also revealed that he has a fear of heights, called acrophobia.
In 2010, during an episode called "Soda Cup Killer," Tory fell off a roof. Even though he had a safety harness, he landed in an open window frame and hurt his leg.
On October 3, 2012, Tory and Kari Byron appeared on the Discovery series Sons of Guns. They tried out some weapons and watched as staff re-tested a myth about a propane tank exploding if hit by a bullet.
On August 21, 2014, it was announced that Tory, Kari Byron, and Grant Imahara would be leaving MythBusters.
In 2021, Tory returned to host Motor MythBusters. He was joined by engineer Bisi Ezerioha and mechanic Faye Hadley. This show looked at popular stories about cars and last aired in March 2022.
Other Projects
From 2011 to 2013, Tory co-hosted Punkin Chunkin on the Science Channel. He hosted it with Kari Byron and Grant Imahara.
In 2013, Tory started a YouTube channel called Blow It Up. On this channel, he and guests use explosives to blow up everyday items.
In 2015, Tory and Kari Byron hosted Thrill Factor for the Travel Channel. In this show, they visited exciting rides around the world. They also explored the science behind them, like how G-forces affect your body.
Tory also starred with Grant Imahara and Kari Byron in the Netflix show White Rabbit Project. It first aired on December 9, 2016.
He also starred with Richard Hammond (from Top Gear and The Grand Tour) in The Great Escapists. This Amazon Video series was announced in August 2019. It was a fictional adventure where they were stranded on a deserted island. They used what they found to survive.
Starting in 2020, Tory co-hosted The Explosion Show on the Science Channel.
Personal Life
Tory Belleci asked his longtime girlfriend, Erin Bothamley, to marry him in 2018. They got married in a private ceremony in 2020. They welcomed their daughter on August 22, 2021.
During a break from MythBusters in 2010, Tory volunteered in Haiti. He visited orphanages and helped install clean-water systems. He worked with "Life Giving Force," a group that provides clean water to communities in need. Tory said this trip deeply affected him, and he admired the strength of the Haitian people.
See also
In Spanish: Tory Belleci para niños
