Political commentator Alan Colmes is dead at the age of 66. He died February 23, his family revealed in a statement.
Colmes was largely known for “The Alan Colmes Show,” a talk show on Fox News Radio. He also had contributing roles on Fox News and hosted the show “Hannity & Colmes” on the TV outlet from 1996 until 2009. He was the liberal counterpoint on the TV show. In addition to those works, Colmes contributed to AOL News and had a blog named “Liberland.”
Here’s what you need to know about Colmes’ family:
1. Colmes Was Married to Jocelyn Crowley
Colmes ended up marrying Jocelyn Crowley and the couple were still together when he died unexpectedly. The two had their wedding ceremony in the summer of 2003.
The family of Colmes released a statement following his unexpected passing, saying:
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.
Crowley is a professor in public policy at Rutgers University.
According to her biography page at the university, Crowley is currently studying the impact of “gray divorce,” divorce at or after the age of 50. She is the author of a book, Mothers Unite! Organizing for Workplace Flexibility and the Transformation of Family Life.
2. His Sister-In-Law is Monica Crowley
Alan Colmes and Monica Crowley (Facebook)
Colmes is the brother-in-law of Monica Crowley, a political commentator and former Fox News contributor. She is also the former opinion editor for The Washington Times.
In December 2016, it was reported that Crowley would be appointed to President Donald Trump’s administration as its senior director of strategic communications for the National Security Council.
However, Crowley withdrew from the appointment due to incidents of plagiarism throughout her career.
3. Colmes & Crowley Didn’t Have Any Children
BREAKING: Fox News contributor Alan Colmes dies aged 66 t.co/gn9Bu2690d
Even though they had been married for nearly 14 years, Colmes and Crowley never had kids. Crowley’s book, however, speaks to mothers about how to find workplace flexibility with kids. She has sought to assist parents in dealing with children affected by divorce.
She appeared on ABC 7 New at one point in 2009 and spoke as to what is most important for people to keep an eye on with kids going through the divorce of their parents.
Crowley said that the best way to make sure children are dealing with divorce OK is to “focus on giving kids space in parents’ new lives. Make sure you give kids their own space in each parent’s home, even if it’s just a spacial drawer.”
4. Colmes’ Net Worth is About $12 Million
According to The Richest, Colmes turned his opinions, appearances and radio shows into a large net worth. He is reported as having a net worth of about $12 million in his estate.
Colmes gained notoriety for his time as a host on “Hannity & Colmes,” alongside Sean Hannity. Following the passing of Colmes, Hannity released the following statement:
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.
5. Colmes Was Born In New York City
Colmes was born on September 24, 1950 in New York City. He was Jewish and his grandparents reportedly immigrated from Ukraine.
Colmes eventually went to Hofstra University and graduated in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He started his career doing stand-up comedy before moving into politics.
Colmes’ wife, Crowley, received her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University in government in 1992. She had a 4.0 GPA at the school and went on to earn her master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University in 1994. A few years later in 1999, Crowley earned her Ph.D. in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology while studying American politics and the political economy.
