Alan Colmes, who for many years hosted Hannity & Colmes on Fox News Channel, has passed away. Fox News reports Colmes, 66, died this morning after a brief illness.
“He was a great guy, brilliant, hysterical, and moral,” says his family in a statement. “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.”
Bill Hemmer announced the news on America’s Newsroom, which then aired a tribute from Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity, his former co-host on Hannity & Colmes. Hannity called Colmes “one of life’s most decent, kind and wonderful people you’d ever want to meet.”
Despite their political differences, Hannity said the two “forged a deep friendship” over the years.
Colmes’ death comes four days after another longtime Fox Newser, Brenda Buttner, passed away following a battle with cancer.
Here’s Hannity full statement on Colmes’ passing:
The Fox family, Dr. Jocelyn Colmes, Monica Crowley and me personally have lost one of life’s most decent, kind and wonderful people you’d ever want to meet.
When Alan and I started Hannity and Colmes, there wasn’t a day that went by where we didn’t say we were two most fortunate men in all television.
Despite major political differences, we forged a deep friendship. Alan, in the midst of great sickness and illness, showed the single greatest amount of courage I’ve ever seen.
And through it all, he showed his incredible wit and humor that was Alan’s signature throughout his entire life.
I’m truly heartbroken at the loss of a dear friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jocelyn, Monica and his entire family.
He will be dearly missed.
PETA svp Lisa Lange released this statement:
Alan Colmes had a huge heart for animals and a prominent platform to speak up for them. On the shows that he hosted—Hannity & Colmes and The Alan Colmes Show—he dedicated time to important issues such as circuses, trophy hunting, vegan eating, and more, and he always gave PETA an opportunity to tell the animals’ story. He was a gentle, kind, curious man who will be missed by all of us here at PETA.