ADVERTISEMENT

Fox News Commentator Alan Colmes Passes Away at Age 66

February 23, 2017

Fox News contributor Alan Colmes passed away on Thursday at the age of 66 after he reportedly battled a brief illness.

"America's Newsroom" co-anchor Bill Hemmer announced the news on Thursday's program on Fox News.

"We have, yet again, some sad news to report here at the Fox News Channel," Hemmer said. "Fox News contributor and frequent guest here in 'America's Newsroom,' Alan Colmes, has passed away."

Colmes leaves behind his wife, Jocelyn Crowley, who issued a statement to Fox News earlier on Thursday morning.

Alan Colmes passed away this morning after a brief illness. He was 66-years-old. He leaves his adoring and devoted wife, Jocelyn Elise Crowley. He was a great guy, brilliant, hysterical, and moral. He was fiercely loyal, and the only thing he loved more than his work was his life with Jocelyn. He will be missed. The family has asked for privacy during this very difficult time.

Hemmer then played a tribute package narrated by Colmes' former co-host, Sean Hannity, on "Hannity & Colmes." The political debate show aired nightly on Fox for over a decade from 1996 until 2009.

"When Alan and I started 'Hannity & Colmes,' there wasn't a day that went by where we didn't say we were the two most fortunate men in all of television," Hannity said.

Hannity, 55, told Fox News in a statement that Colmes was "one of life's most decent, kind, and wonderful people you'd ever want to meet."

Following the news of Colmes passing away, several journalists and former colleagues from the network shared their condolences, as they reflected on what he had contributed to their daily lives.

In addition to being a contributor on various Fox News shows, Colmes hosted the nationally syndicated "Alan Colmes Show" on Fox News Radio. On Jan. 30, he addressed his listeners with a note on his website explaining his absence.

"As I previously mentioned on the show last year, there would be times I would be taking off from the show to deal with a medical issue. This is why I've been out recently and will be out this week as well. But I will be back taking your calls as soon as I can," Colmes wrote.

Published under: Bret Baier , Fox News