The Life and Legacy of Alan Colmes: Voice, Values, and Vision

A Voice from New York with a Defining Birthdate

Alan Samuel Colmes was born on September 24, 1950, in New York City. His Jewish upbringing in Brooklyn and Long Island shaped his early worldview — but his ambitions extended far beyond. As he navigated from local radio stations to national prominence, that September 24 birthdate would mark the beginning of a journey that intertwined wit, conviction, and a rare ability to hold firm ground in fiercely polarized debates.

From Stand-Up Stages to the National Airwaves

Colmes’s path to public consciousness began unconventionally. After graduating from Hofstra University in 1971 with a degree in communications, he cut his teeth working at the university radio station.  But rather than stick strictly to journalism, he first tried his luck as a stand-up comedian — often performing in and around New York’s Greenwich Village.

This background in comedy would serve him well: by the 1980s, he was hosting talk radio shows at major stations like WABC and WNBC. His quick wit and reasonable tone distinguished him in a sea of bombastic broadcasters. Over time, his radio reach expanded beyond New York — eventually earning him a nationwide audience.

The Unlikely Liberal at a Conservative Fortress

Colmes’s profile changed forever in 1996, when Fox News Channel was launched. He was tapped to co-host a new show alongside conservative firebrand Sean Hannity. The result: Hannity & Colmes. 

For more than a decade (1996–2009), Colmes served as the liberal voice in what became one of cable news’ most-watched debate shows.  He didn’t shout or sensationalize — instead, he brought calm, humour and reasoned arguments to a format often criticized for sharp partisan divides. That balance made him a unique figure: one of the few consistently liberal commentators on a largely conservative network.

Even after the show ended in 2009, Colmes remained a fixture at Fox — hosting The Alan Colmes Show, a nationally syndicated radio talk show distributed via Fox News Radio on SiriusXM.  His voice and opinions continued to resonate with a wide American audience.

Words on Paper: Books That Captured His Convictions

Beyond the microphone and camera, Colmes turned to writing to express his political philosophy. He authored Red, White & Liberal: How Left Is Right and Right Is Wrong (2003), a collection of essays defending liberal positions and critiquing conservative rhetoric. 

Later, he published Thank the Liberals for Saving America (2012), a reflection on the role of liberal values in shaping modern American society.  Through these works, Colmes offered a lens into his belief that progressive politics — argued with civility — could co-exist even within the fiercest media battleground.

Personal Life: Love, Neighborhood, and Quiet Humanity

Outside broadcasting, Colmes’s grounded personality came through most in his private life. He was married to Jocelyn Elise Crowley, a political-science professor at Rutgers University. The pair navigated a high-profile marriage with understated grace, choosing privacy and mutual respect.

Colmes lived in Greenwich Village in New York City for much of his adult life. Friends and neighbors often described him as kind, generous, and ever-approachable. One restaurateur recalled how he’d frequent local spots — greeting staff by name, always polite, never showy. Despite his public persona, he valued the simple, everyday connections that grounded him.

The Uncertain Chapter: Net Worth and Financial Picture

Estimating a public figure’s net worth — especially one whose life ended some years ago — requires caution. I was unable to locate reliable, up-to-date sources from reputable outlets (like Forbes, Bloomberg, or Business Insider) that document a verified net worth for Alan Colmes. Major biographical entries, including those in encyclopedic sources, make no mention of his financial legacy. 

Given this absence, any numeric claims about his net worth remain speculative. What is clear, however, is that Colmes enjoyed a long career spanning major national media platforms — from radio to television to published books — which undoubtedly provided him with a comfortable living. But without credible public records, a definitive net worth figure would be unfounded.

A Legacy of Dignity Amid Division

Alan Colmes’s story is not one of bombast or outrage — but of respect, nuanced debate, and loyalty to principle. In an environment where media often amplifies the extremes, he carved out space for thoughtful conversation. Through decades of radio waves, TV screens, and printed pages, Colmes stood firm: liberal, yes — but always willing to engage, listen, and converse.

His birthdate — September 24, 1950 — marks the beginning of a life devoted to dialogue. Though he passed away on February 23, 2017, his legacy lives on: a voice that demanded nothing less than civility and reason in times of chaos. Today, the media landscape may have grown louder — but reflecting on his journey reminds us of the power of calm clarity, even on the most polarized stages.