Jason Conrad Hawes is a prominent American paranormal investigator, television producer, author, and television personality. Born on December 27, 1971, in Canandaigua, New York, Hawes is best known as the founder of The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS). He is also the creator, host, and executive producer of the hit reality television series Ghost Hunters. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has helped shape modern paranormal investigation, transitioning from a local plumbing professional into a globally recognized television icon.
This comprehensive biography delves into Jason Hawes’s early life, physical attributes, career milestones with TAPS and Syfy, family life, and estimated net worth.
Quick Facts: Jason Hawes
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jason Conrad Hawes |
| Stage Name | Jason Hawes |
| Date of Birth | December 27, 1971 |
| Age | 54 years old |
| Place of Birth | Canandaigua, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White American |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) |
| Profession | Paranormal Investigator, TV Producer, Author |
| Spouse | Kristen Cornell (m. 1998) |
| Children | 6 Children (Samantha, Satori, Haily, Austin, Logan, Connor) |
| Net Worth | $3 million to $8 million USD |
Early Life and Education
Jason Conrad Hawes was born on December 27, 1971, in Canandaigua, New York. During his childhood, his family moved to Avon, New York, before relocating to Warwick, Rhode Island, in 1979 following a career opportunity for his father. Hawes grew up in Warwick and attended Toll Gate High School, graduating in 1990. He is of White American descent and follows Christianity.
Before achieving international fame on television, Hawes worked as a Roto-Rooter plumber in Rhode Island. His path toward the paranormal began in his early twenties following unexplained personal experiences. Around the age of 20, after encountering phenomena that he could not rationalize, he sought guidance from established paranormal researcher John Zaffis. This mentorship proved pivotal in steering his life toward dedicated ghost hunting and investigation.
Founding TAPS and the Rise of Ghost Hunters
In 1990, while working as a plumber and operating out of his Warwick apartment, Jason Hawes founded the Rhode Island Paranormal Society. By 1995, the organization expanded and officially became The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS). The group set out with a distinct mission: to investigate reported paranormal claims using investigative hardware while seeking rational, earthly explanations for perceived hauntings.
Hawes’s career crossed into mainstream entertainment in 2004 when Ghost Hunters premiered on the Sci Fi Channel (later rebranded as Syfy). Serving as creator, host, lead investigator, and executive producer alongside co-founder Grant Wilson, Hawes helped turn the show into a massive cable television phenomenon. The original series ran for 11 successful seasons and spawned lucrative spin-offs, including Ghost Hunters International and Ghost Hunters Academy.
Following the initial run of Ghost Hunters, Hawes continued his television dominance. In 2019, he launched and executive-produced Ghost Nation on the Travel Channel alongside longtime collaborators Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango. He later returned to helm subsequent revivals of the classic Ghost Hunters franchise across networks like Discovery+.
Literary Career and Bestselling Books
In addition to his television work, Jason Hawes has established himself as a prolific writer. He has authored or co-authored numerous books focusing on ghost hunting, field strategies, and personal encounters with the unexplained. Official biographies identify him as a multi-time New York Times bestselling author. Notable publications include:
- Ghost Hunting: True Stories of Unexplained Phenomena from The Atlantic Paranormal Society
- Seeking Spirits: The Lost Cases of The Atlantic Paranormal Society
- Ghost Files: The Serial-No. 1 Paranormal Investigation Handbook
- Ghost Hunt: True Stories of Unexplained Phenomena
- Ghost Trackers
Wife, Children, and Personal Life
Jason Hawes has maintained a stable family life despite his intense touring and television production schedule. He married Kristen Cornell on May 20, 1998. The couple has raised six children together: daughters Samantha, Satori, and Haily, twin sons Logan and Austin, and another son, Connor. Several of his children have occasionally participated or appeared in content connected to the paranormal community.
Hawes has spent the vast majority of his adult life residing in Rhode Island. Outside of television production, he has dedicated time to charitable causes, including active involvement with Shriners Hospitals for Children and Cure Kids Cancer.
Net Worth and Financial Standing
As a pioneering figure in reality television and paranormal media, Jason Hawes has accumulated substantial wealth over his career. Financial estimates peg Jason Hawes’s net worth between $3 million and $8 million USD. His primary revenue streams include executive production fees from hit shows like Ghost Hunters and Ghost Nation, book royalties, live public speaking engagements, digital media streaming via his official platforms, and ongoing operational ventures tied to TAPS.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jason Hawes
How old is Jason Hawes?
Jason Hawes was born on December 27, 1971. He is 54 years old.
Who is Jason Hawes’s wife?
Jason Hawes has been married to Kristen Cornell since May 20, 1998.
How many children does Jason Hawes have?
He has six children: Samantha, Satori, Haily, Austin, Logan, and Connor.
What is Jason Hawes’s height?
Jason Hawes stands at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters) tall.
What is TAPS and who founded it?
TAPS stands for The Atlantic Paranormal Society. It was founded in 1995 by Jason Hawes in Rhode Island to investigate reports of paranormal activity using scientific tools and critical logic.
What is Jason Hawes’s net worth?
Jason Hawes has an estimated net worth ranging between $3 million and $8 million USD, earned through television production, writing, and paranormal research.
