Josh Gates is an avid explorer whose unique brand of humor and deep-rooted passion for adventure propels him to the farthest corners of the world. Discovery Channel’s hit-series Expedition Unknown chronicles Gates as he sets out on a global quest to find the truth behind iconic legends and thrilling archaeological mysteries.
This season is Josh’s most ambitious yet, as he undertakes a search for a long-lost ghost ship in the Great Lakes, uncovers new revelations about the birth of Jesus, and searches for a sunken civilization rumored to be the Atlantis of the Andes. From a fabled pirate treasure in the jungles of Panama to the truth behind the controversial legend of the crystal skull, Josh is spinning the globe and heading off-the-map in search of answers.
In the four-part global event Expedition Unknown: Search for the Afterlife, Gates tackles mankind’s ultimate mystery as he investigates ancient rituals, paranormal claims, and cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs on the nature of death and consciousness. Josh will also be helming a two-part special in Israel and Jordan working alongside archaeologists attempting to decipher the Dead Sea Scrolls and to uncover new fragments in remote desert caves.
An avid scuba diver and photographer, Gates has participated in sub-sea archaeological excavations in the Mediterranean, and his wanderlust has taken him to over 100 countries -- from sweltering African deserts to the icy shores of Antarctica. In addition, he has scaled “the roof of Africa” on Mt. Kilimanjaro and climbed Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Americas. A mysterious “Yeti” footprint recovered by Josh in the Himalayas is now on display at the “Expedition Everest” attraction at Walt Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida.
In 2016, Gates won ‘Best Host’ in the CableFax Program Awards for Expedition Unknown, and the series also took home the ‘Best Educational/Instructional Show’ award and in 2018, a Cynopsis TV Award for ‘Best Reality Series – Travel.’ He holds a degree from Tufts University in Archaeology and is a member of The Explorers Club –- a prestigious organization dedicated to the advancement of exploration and field research. Josh also serves as a trustee on the governing board of the Archaeological Institute of America.
Josh is also the host of Legendary Locations on Travel Channel where he shares the epic tales and secrets of the most storied places on earth, showcasing the ancient legends and folklore that made them famous. Travel Channel also airs episodes of Gates’ popular series, Josh Gates’ Destination Truth.
He has appeared on the TODAY Show, CNN and a variety of other national television and radio programs. Gates’ adventures are chronicled in his bestselling book, Destination Truth: Memoirs of a Monster Hunter (Simon & Schuster, 2011).
Gates currently resides with his wife and children in Los Angeles, Calif., and on airport floors around the world.
