Special Guest Column Earl Grey Anderson: UFOlogist, Mensch and More!

By C.J. Arabia

If you are involved in the world of UFOs, you most likely knew the name Earl Grey Anderson. Earl, who passed away on April 27, 2025, was a devoted MUFON member who became a Field Investigator in 2015. He quickly rose through the ranks and was soon promoted to the position of State Director of Southern California. Earl personally closed over 1,000 UFO reports for MUFON, and as a member of MUFON’s Experiencer Resource Team was devoted to helping experiencers get the support they so desperately need. Earl was a true Ufologist.

Earl was a guest on Ancient Aliens and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Hollywood Disclosure Alliance. He was also a podcaster and frequent guest on podcasts as well. Earl also happened to be one of the nicest people you will ever have the good fortune of meeting in the world of UFOlogy. Earl brought people together and once you heard Earl’s laugh, you’ll never forget it.

I met Earl when I reported a childhood UFO sighting to MUFON. He was a tremendous support and encouraged me to become a Field Investigator. Earl felt my personal UFO experiences would make me an asset to others and encouraged me to join the MUFON Experiencer Resource Team for which I am forever grateful. As my MUFON State Director and ERT Mentor, Earl assigned me cases and I got to discuss these cases with him. We spoke just about every day. If you spent any length of time with Earl he would talk about his mom, UFOs, his wonderful wife Lisa, his amazing and talented children and of course music.

He was not just a mentor in the world of high strangeness and UFOs -- Earl became a mentor to me for all things life related. That’s because he was the kind of human being most of us aspire to be when we grow up. He was the gentle, caring, calm in the eye of the storm of UFO disclosure, discourse and personal beefs. Earl forced me to not only be a better investigator, but a better person as well.

One of the best tools Earl gave me as an investigator was the “maybe basket.” We worked in a world of high strangeness. We were constantly in the classroom of this phenomenon and sometimes it’s hard to accept new layers to this reality when they present themselves. When weird happens, Earl always said, “Let’s just put that in the maybe basket for now” because you just never know… Maybe…

Earl was an inspiration to so many people in the UFO industry. Just before he passed, I assembled a list of beautiful quotes about Earl from some of his friends and colleagues who wanted to share their love, thoughts and support.

These can be seen below:

Earl Grey Anderson: One of the nicest people on this planet…one of the finest representatives of the human race…— Jeff Stein

Earl is someone who Marilyn and I consider a special friend. We know we can depend on him to cheer us up no matter what is going on in his life. We know he respects and treats all who know him as a close friend. He is a rare friend and one we sincerely love. — Bob and Marilyn Salas

Earl is a good friend not only of mine, but of the truth. He has been fighting to get to the bottom of one the most important questions of all time. His insatiable curiosity combined with street and star smarts have made him one of the leaders of UFOlogy. Combine that with his artistic flair and his ever present laugh, and Earl is someone you just want to be around to learn from and smile with. Would that we all had a bit more Earl in us. — Paul Hynek 

No one I know can find anything bad to say about Earl Grey Anderson. He is the model of equity and fairness to all viewpoints. This is so valuable and rare in the UFO field, where many use the subject to aggrandize their egos and opinions. Earl explores the far reaches of intellectual discussion and enrichment. A great persuader, he causes others to gently reconsider their viewpoints and leave the door open for new information. I must also thank him for believing that people can change and championing new and forgotten ideas and theories, adding to the debate in places where I wouldn’t have thought possible. Every minute with him has been a lesson in humility and joy, and he is the best friend you could ever hope to find, especially in this crazy field of inquiry. Thank you Earl! — Greg Bishop

Earl, You are a prince of a man. Noble, kind, friendly, always positive. Your contributions to the UAP research and Disclosure work are great and greatly appreciated. You helped found the Hollywood Disclosure Alliance for which I am in your debt. I want you to be here for world confirmation of the ET presence. With great respect, — Steve Bassett, Executive Director Paradigm Research Group

Dear Earl, I want you to know that you are truly a gem in the field of Ufology. The synchronicity we shared up on that panel feels profound, as if it goes beyond simple chance. There is so much important work ahead of us, with many connections yet to discover and insights to be gained. Your strength and kindness shines outward for the world to see, and I want you to remember that you have the love and support of countless people around you every day.  — Katie Paige

It is rare to find a soul as bright, kind, and deeply beloved as you, Earl. As a ufologist, you chase the unknown not out of fear, but out of a yearning to connect. And in that quest, you do something even more extraordinary: you bring people together.

You are my dear friend, Earl, my Space Brother. For all of us who are lucky enough to call you friend, you are a grounding force and a guiding light. You listen without judgment, speak with compassion, and offer your presence generously. And your beautiful Lisa, your brilliant companion star, shines just as brightly, honoring the zany moments you bring into your lives.

Your kindness is woven into every life you've touched, and your impact is immeasurable. I love you my Space Brother. Thank you for your endless support and never-ending love. You are an important part of my life. I love hearing you call me your Space Sister. You are cherished, Earl. And you are, forever, a star among stars. Love — Sev Tok

I think the world and all of Earl! I have known him for years and he is truly an inspiration. He has an amazing history and background and is a wonderful asset to MUFON. We can't wait for him to get back on his feet and all of MUFON is cheering for him. — David Macdonald, Executive Director of MUFON

The first time I met Earl, I felt like I had known him my entire life. It is a friendship at warp speed. One of the most energetic people I know. He never met anyone whom he did not consider to be a friend. When God gave out bad bones, Earl didn't get one: kind, compassionate, and caring. That's the Earl I know. Also, he never met a microphone he didn't like. — Doc Medich, Director of MUFON Experiencer Resource Team

I first met Earl at AlienCon 2023, he was at the MUFON booth. I gave him a copy of my then brand new book After They Came. I never heard of him; he'd never heard of me. I said to him that day, "Earl, you don't know this yet, but you and I are going to become fast friends!" And we did! Earl invited me a few weeks later to speak to his So Cal Chapter MUFON group, and we bonded afterwards over beers at a nearby Mexican restaurant.

I've since had dozens of wonderful encounters with Earl and his lovely wife, Lisa, at MUFON, HDA, and Contact in the Desert-related events, parties, panels and film screenings. Shortly after we met, I began calling Earl, "Earl, My Brother," to which he would reply, "Hey, Brother Dan!"  In short, Earl is one of the sweetest, kindest, warmest men I've ever known. He has long been an invaluable asset to the UAP/ET community, both locally here in So Cal and on a national level as well.

Additionally, he happens to also be incredibly great friend! He and my daughter, Anjuli, also bonded because they both have OTIS College of Design in common. I simply love the guy. Everyone he knows absolutely loves him!” — Dan Harary, Chairman, Hollywood Disclosure Alliance

Not only is Earl "Grey" Anderson one of the foremost authorities on the UFO phenomenon, he is also one of the nicest, sweetest and most caring people you will ever come across. We instantly became good friends from the very first time I spoke to him. He's been my mentor in the UFO world and a close friend whom I respect deeply. — Gino Meregillano - State Chief Investigator for Southern California MUFON

I met Earl Gray Anderson at the Ancient Aliens AlienCon in Pasadena approximately ten years ago. Over lunch he informed me of his personal experiences with nonhuman intelligence and his mother's history as an employee of Howard Hughes.

I, as Director of MUFON's Experiencer Resource Team (2011-2021), immediately recognized Earl as a kind, compassionate soul who would be an asset to MUFON's ERT. He accepted my invitation and has become an exceptional member of our team as natural leader who learns quickly.

Over several years, he became a walking encyclopedia of knowledge, on ET contact phenomena, and assisted countless UFO abduction experiencers. I am grateful because Earl has become an important person in my life as a colleague and friend. Please send him healing thoughts. — Kathleen Marden

What can one say about a man who wears his heart on his sleeve? A man who cares deeply for every living thing. He is a good listener, has enormous compassion for every human, gives himself freely to help others, and more. The word No doesn't exist in his vocabulary when it comes to volunteering where someone is needed to benefit a cause. He is a gifted nurse and with a soothing voice aids in comforting those in distress and pain.

He teaches workshops for those who need a place to share their concerns and fears about certain events in their lives. There is so much more including the way he speaks out loud of his fondness for his wife. Earl emanates what unconditional caring, giving, and love looks like. Thank you Earl for showing us what a wonderful soul you are. — Denise Stoner

Earl is a special person. It's like love pours out of him. From the very first communications I've had with Earl, our friendship grew quickly, both of us signing off emails and notes with "love you" like we've always known each other. But of course, we have. And Earl brings everyone together, finding common ground, bridging disparate points of view. He has been incredibly supportive of my writing (of which I am grateful) and to others as well. Listening now to "Arriving UFO" by Yes, thinking of you, Earl. Love you, brother. — Mike Fiorito

On behalf of KGRA Digital Broadcasting, i send my love and prayers to Earl and his family. Like Earl always tells me when we worked together on MUFON Contact Radio, "Buckle Up Buttercup" .... he will battle this illness with everything he's got and get through this! I cannot wait to hear his voice and work with him again in the future...Earl you know how much i love and respect you!  — Bill Skywatcher, KGRA Digital Broadcasting

Earl—like so many others (you have touched so many!) I have been thinking of and praying for you since I heard the news. The warmth you have shown me over the past few years continues to echo in my heart. I know that I am not alone in that sentiment. I have yet to meet anyone who doesn't describe you the same way: the warmth, the wisdom, the wit.

And, as you have given, so we give back to you now, lifting you up to powers beyond ourselves that we all know are out there, powers with the ability to comfort, calm, and, most importantly, heal. You are deeply loved, both by us down here and whatever is out there. And you, yourself, are strong and resilient. Together, those factors are unstoppable. Though we are spatially distant, I hold you close in the coming months until the moment we meet. Best always, — Joshua Cutchin

Earl came into our life as a lightworker. The minute he walked into the studio to shoot his story the place lit up. We became fast friends. Since we met Earl we have texted and spoke on the phone regularly. When he attends gatherings he radiates love to everyone. His skills with human connection are extraordinary. We appreciate his laughter, his light, and his many stories. Steve and I send love and light and anxiously look forward to seeing him again. — Steve Neill and Mary Cacciapaglia

Dear Earl: CERO and I continue to send you our loving prayers and healing energy for a complete recovery! We all need you. — Yvonne Smith, CERO Close Encounter Resource Organization

Earl, you are my space dad. I would never have done any of this UFO stuff if it wasn’t for you. You have helped me a lot and you mean so much to me. You are truly a father figure in my life. I love you, man! — James Pike, Experiencer

Earl, you are an important part of our UFO community. Your tireless efforts with research as well as putting on So-Cal Mufon events have been a treat for us all. GET BETTER SOON my friend. — Captain Ron Janix

Hi Earl! It’s Anjuli. We love you so so much. You’re not only a truly wonderful human being, but also a sincere friend. I’m so grateful to know you and to have gotten to spend time together with all things HDA. You’re so integral to our community, and quite frankly you ARE our community.

Sending you all the love in my heart and please PLEASE get better soon and we’ll go to CJ’s and play board games. Miss you very much and I know you’ll be sitting with us at the next event, smiling and cheering everyone on as you always do. Love you Earl! Wishing you a speedy recovery and feel better soon dear friend!!! — Anjuli Harary

Earl is one cool dude and so much more. He's probably the kindest and most trustworthy guy in the UFO world. I'm honored to be able to call him my dear friend. — Anna Moss