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 television star and a skilled model maker. He is most famous for his exciting work on the TV show MythBusters on the Discovery Channel. He also helped create special effects for big movies like Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Tory helped build things like the Federation battleships and podracers for these films.
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Early Life and Interests
Tory Belleci has always been fascinated by fire and explosions. When he was young, his father showed him how to make a Molotov cocktail. Later, he accidentally set part of his house on fire with a homemade flamethrower.
When he was 19, he almost got into trouble for setting off a homemade pipe bomb. An officer told young Tory to find a safe way to use his love for explosions and special effects. This advice helped him choose his career path.
Belleci is a Christian.
Career Beginnings
Starting in Special Effects
In 1994, Tory graduated from San Francisco State University's film school. He then started working with Jamie Hyneman at M5 Industries. Tory began by doing small jobs and cleaning the shop. Soon, he moved up and took on bigger roles.
A few years later, he started working at Industrial Light and Magic (ILM). This company makes amazing special effects for movies. Tory worked at ILM for eight years. He built models, sculpted, and painted for many films.
He worked on movies like the Matrix films, Van Helsing, and Peter Pan. One of his short films, SandTrooper, was shown on Syfy and at the Slamdance Film Festival.
Working on MythBusters
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Tory Belleci joined the Discovery Channel show MythBusters in 2003. At first, he worked behind the scenes. In the second season, he became part of the "build team" on the show. By the third season, he was seen on screen.
In 2005, Tory convinced his friend Grant Imahara to join the show too. Grant also worked at ILM.
Dangerous Stunts and Fun Accidents
Tory was often seen as the daredevil of the MythBusters team. His co-stars Kari Byron and Grant Imahara often said this. He would do the more dangerous stunts when testing myths.
For example, he tested if a human tongue would stick to a frozen pole. He also tried to stay underwater for an hour breathing through a dart tube. One famous moment was when he tried to jump over a toy wagon on a bicycle. He flipped forward and landed on his face!
Because of these stunts, Tory often had funny accidents while testing myths. He has a fear of heights, which is called acrophobia.
In 2014, it was announced that Tory, Kari Byron, and Grant Imahara would be leaving MythBusters.
After MythBusters
In 2021, Tory returned to host Motor MythBusters. He was joined by engineer Bisi Ezerioha and mechanic Faye Hadley. This show focused on myths about cars and vehicles. It aired until March 2022.
Other TV Shows and Projects
Hosting and Exploring
From 2011 to 2013, Tory co-hosted Punkin Chunkin on the Science Channel. He hosted it with Kari Byron and Grant Imahara. This show was about building machines to throw pumpkins really far.
In 2013, Tory started his own 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. They visited exciting thrill 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. This show premiered in December 2016.
New Adventures
Tory starred with Richard Hammond from Top Gear in The Great Escapists. This show was on Amazon Video and started in 2019. In this fictional series, Tory and Richard were stranded on a deserted island. They had to use what they found to survive.
Starting in 2020, Tory co-hosted The Explosion Show on the Science Channel. He also appeared in the movie Jackass Forever in 2022.
Personal Life
Tory Belleci proposed to his girlfriend, Erin Bothamley, in 2018. They got married 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. Tory said this trip had a big impact on him. He admired how strong the Haitian people were.
See also
In Spanish: Tory Belleci para niños
