Art Bell (born Arthur William Bell III on June 17, 1945) is an American broadcaster and author. He is best known for his nationally syndicated talk radio program, Coast to Coast AM, which deals with a variety of topics including the paranormal, conspiracy theories, and UFOs. He is also well-known for his hosting of the paranormal-themed television series, Mysterious Universe.
Bell was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He had a troubled childhood, suffering from depression and having to overcome a speech impediment. He graduated from the University of Maryland in 1967 with a degree in communications.
Bell's career in broadcasting began in 1975 when he joined the US Navy as a broadcaster. After his stint in the Navy, he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1982 and began working as a DJ at KORK-FM. His show, Coast to Coast AM, began as a Sunday evening show on the station and soon grew in popularity, leading Bell to host the show full-time.
The show was syndicated nationally in 1993 and quickly grew to become one of the most popular radio programs in the United States. Bell was known for his distinctive monotone voice and his coverage of unusual topics like UFOs, psychic phenomena, and conspiracy theories. He was also known for his personal touch, often reading listener's stories and having them call in to the show.
In 2008, Bell retired from Coast to Coast AM, though he continued to host occasional special shows. He also hosted a paranormal-themed television show, Mysterious Universe, which aired on the History Channel from 2006-2009.
In addition to his broadcasting career, Bell is also a published author, having written three books on paranormal and conspiracy theories. He is also a philanthropist, having donated money to various charities and causes, including the fight against Multiple Sclerosis.
Art Bell is an iconic figure in the world of broadcasting. He has used his platform to explore the strange and unexplained, inspiring a generation of listeners and viewers to question the world around them.
