'Hannity & Colmes' star Alan Colmes dead at 66

Alan Colmes has died at the age of 66.

The longtime Fox News commentator and liberal star of "Hannity & Colmes" passed away Thursday after a brief illness. Colmes leaves behind his wife, Jocelyn Crowley, who issued the following statement:

"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."

Bill Hemmer also told fans of the sad news during "America's Newsroom" Thursday morning and aired a special tribute package from Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity.

Colmes famously teamed up with Sean Hannity in 1996 and became one of the hottest stars of Fox News Channel. Colmes, a longtime liberal, and Hannity, a stalwart conservative, sparred for years on their show "Hannity & Colmes" until it ended in 2009 when Hannity decided to continue solo. Colmes recently had a radio show on Fox News radio, but took a leave of absence last month to deal with an unknown illness.

Of his late co-star, Hannity said Colmes was "one of life's most decent, kind and wonderful people you'd ever want to meet."