World-renowned underwater filmmaker, biologist, and conservationist Mike deGruy – a close personal friend of Jay Thomas – was killed in a helicopter crash in Australia on February 4th, 2012, along with pilot and underwater cave diver Andrew Wight. Both were working with James Cameron and National Geographic on a new documentary film.
Please join us in honoring the life and work of Mike deGruy. On this page you'll find various links including videos, Mike's official website, and press articles.
“Mike and Andrew were like family to me. They were my deep-sea brothers, and both were true explorers who did extraordinary things and went places no human being has been. They died doing exactly what they loved most, heading out to sea on a new and personally challenging expedition, having fun in the way they defined it for themselves, which was hardship and toil to achieve something never done before. They were passionate storytellers who lived by the explorer’s code of humor, empathy, optimism, and courage. Their deaths are a tremendous loss for the world of underwater exploration, conservation, and filmmaking.” – James Cameron
“This past week our Water Planet has lost two energetic, dedicated, and enthusiastic voices for the ocean-our life support system, Mike deGruy and Andrew Wight. Their talented work as passionate advocates for ocean preservation, adventure, and enjoyment have inspired us all. Their memories will remain close in our hearts while their work will continue encouraging people globally to protect the ocean for future generations, which is so very relevant by their loving young families left behind. Today in Fiji, we will be diving in the rainforests of the sea to honor Mike and Andrew’s memory.” – Jean-Michel Cousteau
Santa Barbara Ceremony for Mike deGruy
Mike's last laugh ~ An exclamation point in the sky! (click to enlarge)
"...One speaker referred to DeGruy — whose mop of thick white hair was particularly wild — as a 'human exclamation point,' and as his family gathered near the shore in a smaller ceremony to honor his life, an exclamation-like cloud formed in the skies over the Mesa, visible to all heading home in that direction. Whether it was a message from Mike will never be known, but what’s certain is that everyone who came to pay their respects on Sunday left knowing that DeGruy had lived more in his 60 years than most people could do in a century, and all were inspired to more consciously do the same with our own remaining years on the planet." – Matt Kettmann, The Santa Barbara Independent
“Mike and Andrew were like family to me. They were my deep-sea brothers, and both were true explorers who did extraordinary things and went places no human being has been. They died doing exactly what they loved most, heading out to sea on a new and personally challenging expedition, having fun in the way they defined it for themselves, which was hardship and toil to achieve something never done before. They were passionate storytellers who lived by the explorer’s code of humor, empathy, optimism, and courage. Their deaths are a tremendous loss for the world of underwater exploration, conservation, and filmmaking.” – James Cameron
“This past week our Water Planet has lost two energetic, dedicated, and enthusiastic voices for the ocean-our life support system, Mike deGruy and Andrew Wight. Their talented work as passionate advocates for ocean preservation, adventure, and enjoyment have inspired us all. Their memories will remain close in our hearts while their work will continue encouraging people globally to protect the ocean for future generations, which is so very relevant by their loving young families left behind. Today in Fiji, we will be diving in the rainforests of the sea to honor Mike and Andrew’s memory.” – Jean-Michel Cousteau
