Budd Hopkins, born Elliot Budd Hopkins on June 15, 1931, in Wheeling, West Virginia, was a prominent American artist, author, and ufologist. He passed away on August 21, 2011, in New York City.
Hopkins had a diverse career that spanned both the arts and ufology. As an artist, he exhibited his paintings and sculptures in various prestigious museums, galleries, and universities across the United States, including the Whitney Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art. His art often incorporated architectural elements, and his works from the 1970s, such as “Gallatin’s Drive I” and “White City Hall,” reflected urban themes and featured circular shapes with primary colors. In the 1980s, his sculptures began to include abstracted figures, which he described as magical and noble robots of the unconscious.
His interest in UFOs was sparked by a childhood experience of Orson Welles’ 1938 radio play “The War of the Worlds,” which left a significant impact on him. This interest was further heightened by a UFO sighting he experienced in August 1964 in Truro, MA. Following this incident, Hopkins began researching UFOs and collecting stories of people who claimed to have experienced contact with alien beings. He joined the National Investigations Committee On Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) and became deeply involved in UFO research.
In 1975, Hopkins’ UFO research took a significant turn when he was approached by George O’Barski, who claimed to have witnessed alien figures in North Bergen, New Jersey. Following this, Hopkins began receiving letters from other UFO witnesses, including cases of “missing time.” He used these accounts to develop his theories on alien abductions, which he detailed in his book “Missing Time.” Hopkins’ approach to alien visitations was alarmist, viewing them as severe and nightmarish experiences for the victims.
Hopkins is often credited with popularizing the idea of alien abductions as genetic experimentation through his book “Intruders,” where he likened these experiences to rape, emphasizing their traumatic nature. He was known for his work with alleged alien abduction victims and saw his research as a way to bring attention to an otherwise marginalized group. His books, including “Intruders: The Incredible Visitations at Copley Woods,” helped establish him as a prominent figure in the UFO movement.