For the second time in less than a week, Fox News has lost a beloved and respected colleague.
Just a few days after Brenda Buttner died after a battle with cancer, long-time host and reporter Alan Colmes has passed away from an undisclosed illness.
He was 66 years old.
Fox News Channel announced this sad new during America’s Newsroom on Thursday morning, while Colmes’ wife, Jocelyn, also released a statement about her husband’s death.
It reads as follows:
“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.”
Colmes was born in New York City.
He graduated from Hofstra University with a degree from its School of Communications in 1971 and then started his professional career at WABC and WNBC prior to joining Fox as a liberal commentator in 1996.
Opposite conservative Sean Hannity, Colmes hosted Hannity and Colmes the same year Fox News Channel debuted.
“I’m truly heartbroken at the loss of a dear friend,” Hannity said in a statement, referring to Colmes as “one of life’s most decent, kind and wonderful people you’d ever want to meet.”
The series ran from 1996 until 2009, at which time Colmes left the post and Hannity took over as the show’s only anchor.
Megyn Kelly, who left Fox News for NBC earlier this year, Tweeted:
“Heartbroken my friend Alan Colmes has died. He lit up the FNC halls w/his kindness & humor. Incredibly positive force. Prayers 4 his family.”
Among other tributes:
Fox anchor Shannon Bream: “Very sad to report our friend and colleague @AlanColmes has passed away,” she wrote via Twitter.”
Don Imus: “God rest @AlanColmes. We laughed about everything for 30 years. I loved Alan.”
Glenn Beck: “RIP @AlanColmes. Shock. While is disagreed with him on many things he was a good and decent man. Indeed, all that matters in the end.”
And here’s a look at what others who knew Colmes well have had to say:
After leaving Hannity and Colmes, the latter continued to appear regularly on Fox, hosting a “Versus” segment where he took on significant political issues of the day.
He also maintained editing responsibilities for Alan.com.
The website has been devoted to the cable news landscape and political status quo, complete with a daily newsletter and hard-hitting radio show segments.
Colmes is survived by his wife.
We send our condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Alan Colmes.
May he rest in peace.
Below is a look at other celebrities who have died in 2017:
