H. G. Wells
The guy who made a radio show that sounded so real, people thought aliens had landed in their backyard and started crying or jumping off buildings. He worked with Orson Welles, who made a mess out of the whole thing.
My mom thought aliens were coming and hid in the closet.
My brother listened to the broadcast and screamed for 10 minutes straight.
My dad tried to call the police and got a recording of a Martian.