Ryan Buell
Encyclopedia
Ryan Daniel Buell is an American paranormal investigator, author and producer who founded the Paranormal Research Society when he was a 19-year-old student at Pennsylvania State University
.
of Italian and Native American
ancestry, and raised in Sumter, South Carolina
. He earned bachelor degrees in journalism
and anthropology
from Penn State.
show Paranormal State
, for which Buell is the director. Buell is also the Executive Producer for an upcoming feature film, American Ghost Hunter, which was announced to be in production in Spring 2009. The film was shot in May 2009 and Buell claims they are currently negotiating a distributor. In 2011, Buell and partner Chad Calek announced a 41-city tour for "American Ghost Hunter," claiming it to be one of the most ambitious film tours outside of the traditional Hollywood system in history. In 2010, Buell served as Co-Executive Producer for "Paranormal State" as well as for "The Ghost Prophecies," which he also served as co-creator. However, he and his team decided against continuing Paranormal State after the fifth season to pursue other things. Their final episode aired Monday, May 2nd, 2011.
Buell's memoir, Paranormal State: My Journey into the Unknown was released in September 2010. Among other subjects, Buell discusses his bisexuality
and his struggle to reconcile his sexual orientation with his Catholicism
. "I’ve decided to share my sexuality and struggle over faith in hopes that others will no longer feel as though they are alone or that they can’t be religious."
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
.
Early life
Buell was born in Corry, PennsylvaniaCorry, Pennsylvania
Corry is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. With a population of 6,834 at the 2000 United States Census, it is the second largest city in Erie County. Corry is a part of the Erie Metropolitan Statistical Area...
of Italian and Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
ancestry, and raised in Sumter, South Carolina
Sumter, South Carolina
-Demographics:, there were 59,180 people, 34,717 households, and 4,049 families living in the city. The population density was 4,469.5 people per square mile . There were 416,032 housing units at an average density of 603.0 per square mile...
. He earned bachelor degrees in journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
and anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
from Penn State.
Career
Buell's investigations became the core premise of the A&EA&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
show Paranormal State
Paranormal State
Paranormal State is an American paranormal reality television series that premiered on the A&E Network on December 10, 2007. The program follows and stars the Pennsylvania State University Paranormal Research Society, a student-led college club...
, for which Buell is the director. Buell is also the Executive Producer for an upcoming feature film, American Ghost Hunter, which was announced to be in production in Spring 2009. The film was shot in May 2009 and Buell claims they are currently negotiating a distributor. In 2011, Buell and partner Chad Calek announced a 41-city tour for "American Ghost Hunter," claiming it to be one of the most ambitious film tours outside of the traditional Hollywood system in history. In 2010, Buell served as Co-Executive Producer for "Paranormal State" as well as for "The Ghost Prophecies," which he also served as co-creator. However, he and his team decided against continuing Paranormal State after the fifth season to pursue other things. Their final episode aired Monday, May 2nd, 2011.
Buell's memoir, Paranormal State: My Journey into the Unknown was released in September 2010. Among other subjects, Buell discusses his bisexuality
Bisexuality
Bisexuality is sexual behavior or an orientation involving physical or romantic attraction to both males and females, especially with regard to men and women. It is one of the three main classifications of sexual orientation, along with a heterosexual and a homosexual orientation, all a part of the...
and his struggle to reconcile his sexual orientation with his Catholicism
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
. "I’ve decided to share my sexuality and struggle over faith in hopes that others will no longer feel as though they are alone or that they can’t be religious."