Arthur William Bell III, also known as Art Bell, was a highly influential figure in the world of radio and literature.
He is best known as the founder of the popular radio show Coast to Coast AM, which covered paranormal topics and attracted audiences across the United States and Canada.
Additionally, his creation and hosting of Dreamland demonstrated his versatility and talent as a broadcaster.
Through his work, Bell left a lasting impact on the world of radio programming and paranormal exploration.
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- Full name: Arthur William Bell III
- Stage Name: Art Bell
- Date of birth: June 17, 1945
- Age: 72 years old
- Birthplace: Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, USA
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: American author and broadcaster
- Height: None
- Parents: Arthur William Bell Jr, Jane Lee Gumaer Bell
- Siblings: Asia Rayne Bell, Lisa Minei Bell, Vincent Pontius Bell.
- Spouses: Airyn Ruiz Bell, Ramona Bell, Vickie L. Baker, Sachiko Toguchi Bell Pontius
- Children: Asia Rayne Bell, Vincent Pontius Bell, Arthur William Bell, Lisa Minei Bell
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $10 million
Early life
Bell was born in North Carolina. Sources differ on whether he was born in Jacksonville or Camp Lejeune.
Both his parents served in the United States military. He has a Lutheran background.
Bell had always been interested in radio; at the age of 13, he became a licensed amateur radio operator. Bell held an Amateur Extra Class license, the top license class of the Federal Communications Commission. His call sign was W6OBB.
In the 1960s, Bell served in the United States Air Force for four years and was a military physician during the Vietnam War.
Although he did not see combat, he was briefly stationed at a hospital in Da Nang. At this hospital and others, such as Clark Air Base in the Philippines, he saw firsthand the effects of war, which he did not want to remember or talk about.
Education
Art Bell completed his high school education, but information regarding the specific high school he attended has not been disclosed.
After graduating from high school, he briefly enrolled at the University of Maryland before dropping out without earning a degree.
Although he had no formal academic qualifications, Bell’s radio career allowed him to gain practical experience and knowledge in the field of radio, including production, engineering, and on-air hosting.
Through his extensive radio career, Bell accumulated a wealth of experience and skills that eventually paved the way for him to become a prominent figure in the field of paranormal and fringe topics in the radio industry.
Career
Known for his iconic voice and compelling storytelling, Art Bell began his radio career as a DJ and jockey before moving into talk radio in 1978 with his political call-in show “West Coast AM” in Las Vegas.
In 1988, Bell co-founded Coast to Coast AM with Alan Corbeth, a late-night radio show that delved into paranormal activity, conspiracy theories, and alternative topics.
The show quickly became popular and was broadcast on hundreds of radio stations across the United States and Canada. Bell’s unique hosting style and format open to listener calls became staples of the show.
Despite briefly retiring from Coast to Coast AM in 2003, Bell continued to host specials until 2010, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of late-night radio.
In addition to his hosting duties on Coast to Coast AM, Art Bell has expanded his reach by creating and hosting Dreamland. This companion show delves into the fascinating world of dreams and their interpretation.
Throughout his career, Bell wrote several books, such as “Art Bell: Whistleblower” And “Art Bell Group: Dark Matter,” continues to demonstrate his expertise in the paranormal and unexplainable.
Although Bell passed away in 2018, his legacy lives on through Coast to Coast AM, now run by George Noory and a dedicated team of individuals who continue to explore the mysteries of the universe.
Social media
- Instagram Name: None
- Facebook Name: None
- Twitter Username: None
Personal life
During his lifetime, Bell was married three times—first to Baker from 1981 to 1991, then to Ramona Lee Hayes from 1991 to 2006 until her death. His final marriage was to Airyn Ruiz Bell, who lasted until his death in 2018.
Bell was the father of four children from several marriages. The exact location of his birth in North Carolina remains disputed among sources. He was raised in a Lutheran family, and both his parents were in the military.
His love for radio began at a young age. At the age of 13, he became a licensed amateur radio operator. He holds the highest license from the Federal Communications Commission and served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.
Net worth
Art Bell had a successful and distinguished career, with some online sources estimating his net worth to be around $10 million at the time of his death.
Throughout his life, he made a living as a novelist and broadcaster, expressing his talent and passion for storytelling through a variety of media.
His achievements and contributions to the literary and broadcasting worlds have cemented his legacy as a respected figure in the industry.
