George Knapp is an American Emmy-award-winning investigative journalist and author who has been reporting on UFOs for over three decades. He is best known for his work on the Bob Lazar case, in which he broke the existence of Area 51 in 1989. Knapp’s reporting on the Lazar case helped to legitimize the study of UFOs and paved the way for other serious journalists to investigate the topic.
A native of Woodbury, New Jersey, George Knapp’s journey into the realm of investigative journalism began early. His academic pursuits saw him graduate from Franklin and Marshall College with a degree in English Literature, later earning a bachelor’s degree in communications from West Georgia College and a master’s degree from the University of the Pacific. His passion for communication extended into teaching speech and debate at various esteemed institutions including the University of California, Berkeley.
Knapp moved to Las Vegas in 1979, initially working as a taxi driver, eventually transitioning into the field of journalism. His career took a significant turn when he joined KLAS-TV in 1981 as a general assignment reporter. Since 1995, Knapp has been the chief reporter on Channel 8’s I-Team investigative unit, earning numerous accolades for his investigative stories including five regional and two national Edward R. Murrow Awards, twenty-four Pacific Southwest Regional Emmy Awards, and nine Associated Press Mark Twain Awards. His dedication to journalism also led to a DuPont Award from Columbia University and two Peabody Awards.
What propelled George Knapp into the spotlight within the UFO community was his 1989 interview with Bob Lazar, who claimed to have worked on UFOs at Area 51. This interview was the first to report on the existence of Area 51 and its potential involvement in reverse engineering UFO technology. His stories on UFOs in 1990 earned him an “Individual Achievement by a Journalist” award from the United Press International.
George Knapp’s contributions to UFOology extend beyond journalism. He co-hosts the “WEAPONIZED” podcast with Jeremy Corbell, exploring further into the mysteries of UFOs and other unexplained phenomena. As a weekend host on “Coast to Coast AM,” Knapp continues to engage a broader audience in discussions surrounding UFOs and the paranormal. His literary contributions include co-authoring books with Colm A. Kelleher: “Hunt for the Skinwalker: Science Confronts the Unexplained at a Remote Ranch in Utah” and “Skinwalkers at the Pentagon: An Insiders’ Account of the Secret Government UFO Program.”
George Knapp’s enduring dedication to uncovering the truth behind UFO phenomena and his significant contributions to the field have made him a revered figure in the UFO community. Through his various platforms, Knapp continues to foster an open and informed discourse on UFO phenomena, enriching the public’s understanding of the unexplained.