Hans Holzer (1920–2009) was an Austrian-American parapsychologist who authored 119 books on the paranormal and conducted thousands of investigations over five decades. He coined the term "the new age" and was among the first researchers to bring paranormal investigation to mainstream American television.
Born in Vienna, Holzer studied parapsychology at the Vienna Academy of Arts and later earned a PhD from the London College of Applied Science. He became a fixture on American television from the 1960s onward, collaborating with trance medium Ethel Meyers on hundreds of investigations. His investigation of the Amityville house predated the Warrens' involvement and produced contradictory findings that remain debated.
Begins formal paranormal investigation in New York; develops working relationship with trance medium Ethel Meyers
Publishes Ghost Hunter — one of the first mainstream paranormal investigation books in the US
Appears on NBC's Today Show discussing his investigations; brings paranormal research to a national audience
Investigates the Amityville house independently; his findings diverge from the Lutz family's claims
Continues publishing prolifically; becomes a mentor to a new generation of paranormal researchers
Dies in New York aged 89; his archive of 119 books and thousands of case files stands as the largest single-author paranormal collection in existence
Holzer's prolific output and early media presence made him the most publicly visible paranormal researcher of the mid-20th century. Critics noted his readiness to accept claimed phenomena; supporters point to the sheer breadth of his documented casework as historically significant.
Editorial note: All profiles are compiled from public record, testimony, and published sources. Unverified claims are noted. Project Strange does not assert the truth or falsity of any individual's claims.