Richard Bangs is an American journalist best known for playing Host and Executive Producer in Richard Bangs' Adventures with Purpose.
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Best Known For:The television program Richard Bangs' Adventures with Purpose
Breakthrough:Was born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1950
10 Quick Facts About Richard Bangs
- Full Name: Richard Bangs
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Host
- Current Role: Travel writer and television producer
- Current Employer: PBS
- Date of Birth: August 24, 1950
- Age: 76 years old
- Place of Birth: New Haven, Connecticut
- Spouse / Partner: Laura Huston
- Popular As: Richard Johnston Bangs
Richard Bangs Age
Richard Bangs is about 76 years old as of 2026. Richard Bangs was born in 1950.
Education
His educational background includes studies at Northwestern University and University of Southern California.
- Northwestern University
- Qualification: Bachelor of Arts
- Period: 1972
- University of Southern California
- Qualification: Master of Arts
- Period: 1975
Career & Work
Richard Bangs' career includes writing and editorial roles with Outward Bound USA and Mountain Travel Sobek.
Role: Author and Travel Writer
Period: Current in 2026
Details: United States
Organization: Outward Bound USA
Role: President
Period: From 2001
Details: United States · Held a leadership role in the outdoor education organization.
Organization: Mountain Travel Sobek
Role: Founding Partner
Period: From 1991
Details: United States · Helped develop the adventure travel company after Sobek Expeditions merged with Mountain Travel.
Organization: TerraQuest
Role: Founder
Period: 1990s
Details: United States · Developed pioneering online travel and virtual expedition products.
Organization: Sobek Expeditions
Role: Founder and President
Period: From 1973
Details: United States · Founded a pioneering international river-running and adventure travel business.
Role: Colorado River Guide
Period: College years
Details: Grand Canyon, Arizona
Rise to Fame
Richard Bangs rose to prominence for his role on the television show Richard Bangs' Adventures with Purpose.
Notable Works
Notable media work includes Mystery of the Nile, The Lost River: A Memoir of Life, Death, and Transformation on Wild Water, and 50 Best Adventures on Earth.
Television
- TV Show: Richard Bangs' Adventures with Purpose (Host and Executive Producer) — Emmy-winning public television travel documentary series
- TV Show: Richard Bangs Quests (Host and Executive Producer) — International travel and exploration television specials
Film
- Film: Mystery of the Nile (Co-Director, 2005) — IMAX adventure documentary
Books
- Book: The Lost River: A Memoir of Life, Death, and Transformation on Wild Water (Author, 1999) — Award-winning adventure memoir
- Book: 50 Best Adventures on Earth (Author, Available in 2026) — Adventure travel guide featuring destinations, planning advice and firsthand exploration experience
- Book: Riding the Dragon's Back: The Race to Raft the Upper Yangtze (Author) — Account of river exploration in China
- Book: The Art of Living Dangerously: True Stories from a Life on the Edge (Author) — Collection of personal adventure stories
- Work: Extraordinary Travelers Club (Travel Writer) — Travel features and adventure writing
Notable Coverage
- First descent of Ethiopia's Awash River – Sobek Expeditions – 1973 – Participated in a pioneering commercial adventure travel expedition
- Upper Yangtze River expedition – Richard Bangs travel publications – Documented adventurous river exploration in China
- International adventure travel – Richard Bangs' Adventures with Purpose – Created and hosted public television travel programming focusing on culture, natural environments and responsible exploration
Awards & Achievements
- Lowell Thomas Award — Society of American Travel Writers Foundation — 1989 — Riding the Dragon's Back.
- National Outdoor Book Award — National Outdoor Book Awards — 2000 — Literature award for The Lost River.
- Emmy Award — National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences — Richard Bangs' Adventures with Purpose.
Richard Bangs Family & Relationships
He has 2 children, Walker and Jasper.
- Father: Lawrence Cutler
- Mother: Louise Bangs
- Children:
- Walker
- Jasper
Lesser Known Facts
- He developed early virtual expeditions before internet travel media became widespread.
- He helped pioneer international commercial whitewater rafting.
- He has led first descents of more than 35 rivers worldwide.
- His published work includes books, magazine features, documentaries and digital travel projects.
- He was involved in early internet travel publishing at Microsoft and Expedia.
- He co-directed the IMAX documentary Mystery of the Nile.
Personal Information
- Full Name: Richard Bangs
- Popular As: Richard Johnston Bangs
- Gender: Male
- Occupation: Host
- Nationality: American
- Living Status: Alive
- Ethnicity: White
Birth & Background
- Date of Birth: August 24, 1950
- Age: 76
- Birthday: August 24
- Zodiac Sign: Virgo
- Place of Birth: New Haven, Connecticut
Family & Relationships
- Father: Lawrence Cutler
- Mother: Louise Bangs
- Spouse / Partner: Laura Huston
Net Worth & Income
- Salary: $88,000–$384,000 (Estimated range)
- Net Worth: $424,000–$6,050,000 (Estimated range)
- Source of Income: Broadcast employment and related professional work
Related Biographies
- Lawrence Cutler (Parent • Father, identified as a psychologist in a published biographical reference.)
- Louise Bangs (Parent • Mother.)
