Fox News Channel's Alan Colmes has passed away at age 66 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 announced the sad news this morning on "America's Newsroom," which then aired a tribute package from Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity, his former co-host on "Hannity & Colmes."

In a statement this morning, Hannity called Alan Colmes "one of life's most decent, kind and wonderful people you'd ever want to meet."

"When Alan and I started 'Hannity & Colmes,' there wasn't a day that went by where we didn't say we were the two most fortunate men in all of television," said Hannity.

Despite their political differences, Hannity said the two "forged a deep friendship" over the years.

"Alan, in the midst of great sickness and illness, showed the single greatest amount of courage I've ever seen," he said.

In the video below, Hannity joined Bill Hemmer to remember his dear friend.

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Colmes was known for his electric commentary and for the fierce debates across Fox News programs since the channel's launch in 1996. "Hannity & Colmes" debuted on Fox News in 1996 and ran until Jan. 2009.

Colmes also hosted the nationally-syndicated "Alan Colmes Show" on Fox News Radio. He addressed his recent absence from the show in a note to listeners on Jan. 30.

"As I previously mentioned on the show last year, there would be times I would be taking off from the show to deal with a medical issue. This is why I’ve been out recently and will be out this week as well. But I will be back taking your calls as soon as I can," he wrote.

Colmes' passing comes just days after the death of Fox News Channel's Brenda Buttner, who died at age 55 after a battle with cancer. Neil Cavuto remembered the "Bulls & Bears" host on his show Monday.

Shepard Smith also reflected on the passing of his friend and colleague this afternoon.

"When I first met him in-person, it was not his politics at all, but his kind and gentle way that really struck me," Shep said.

He explained that Colmes was friendly and unpretentious with everybody.

"I saw him frustrated occassionally, but I never saw him angry or bitter," Shep said. "He wasn't that kind of guy. Alan was the happy man about our 'TV house.'"

"Alan Colmes was one of the good guys."

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Friends and colleagues are remembering Alan this morning on Twitter...

So sad to hear of the death of Fox News colleague Alan Colmes. He and I agreed on little, but I liked him immensely. Good guy. R.I.P. — Brit Hume (@brithume) February 23, 2017

Shocked to hear of the passing of Alan Colmes. Thanks for providing great perspective on the stories of the day. — Mike Tobin (@MikeTobinFox) February 23, 2017

Very sad to report our friend and colleague @AlanColmes has passed away. — Shannon Bream (@ShannonBream) February 23, 2017

I can tell you tears r flowing @FoxBusiness @FoxNews right now. We are all devastated by the loss of kind soul @AlanColmes may god bless RIP — Liz Claman (@LizClaman) February 23, 2017

Alan Colmes was an incredibly talented media personality but he was also my friend & a mentor.Saying he will be missed is an understatement. — dianafalzone (@dianafalzone) February 23, 2017

Goodbye to Alan Colmes, a generous and wonderful man who was the first to fight the good fight on FNC. — Julie Roginsky (@julieroginsky) February 23, 2017

Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my @foxnews colleague @alancolmes. A very nice, genuine man I had the pleasure to work with. — Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) February 23, 2017

I'm heartbroken. @AlanColmes was my fellow liberal colleague at Fox News. I admired his tenacious work ethic. He was a good man. RIP Alan. — Tamara Holder (@tamaraholder) February 23, 2017

Alan Colmes was always a gentleman...always kind...a wonderful colleague. pic.twitter.com/VxQimzE3bZ — Greta Van Susteren (@greta) February 23, 2017

Heartbroken my friend Alan Colmes has died. He lit up the FNC halls w/his kindness & humor. Incredibly positive force. Prayers 4 his family. — Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) February 23, 2017

two respected colleagues lost this week. rest in peace Brenda Buttner & Alan Colmes. love, prayer and strength to your families. — RickLeventhalFoxNews (@RickLeventhal) February 23, 2017

I'm so very sad to learn Alan Colmes has died. A true gentleman and passionate advocate of his beliefs. FNC won't be the same without him. — Jon Scott (@JonScottFNC) February 23, 2017

I am saddened by the passing of Alan Colmes. I always found him to be a really kind colleague. Thoughts & prayers.https://t.co/keZBymYtK7 — Mike Emanuel (@MikeEmanuelFox) February 23, 2017

So sad to hear the news about my friend Alan Colmes. He was a wonderful colleague, kind person and a great debater. He will be missed. — Trish Regan (@trish_regan) February 23, 2017

Came to mind reflecting on the passing of Alan Colmes...and the VALUE of strong debate within a team/family/nation: Proverbs 27:17 — Jenna Lee (@JennaLeeUSA) February 23, 2017

Alan Colmes was a dear friend and I will miss him and our talks.We spoke every Thanksgiving and Christmas...RIP my friend @FoxNews — Michael Reagan (@ReaganWorld) February 23, 2017

Just heard of death of Alan Colmes; the kind of liberal I loved-smart, witty, and fair; never backed up, but always backed up his views. RIP — Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) February 23, 2017

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. — Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) February 23, 2017

Very sad to report our friend and colleague @AlanColmes has passed away. Alan was one nice, happy bright light. RIP AC. — Eric Bolling (@ericbolling) February 23, 2017

Saddened to hear of the passing of @AlanColmes. I've done his show many times through the years, he was always fair. My prayers 4 his family — Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) February 23, 2017

RIP #AlanColmes noble soul of deep conscience & compassion-skilled commentator-He worked for fairer world-Condolences to loving wife Jocelyn — Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) February 23, 2017

Remembering @AlanColmes who passed away at 66, a funny, smart, passionate broadcaster who was beloved by all. Rest In Peace, Alan — Steve Doocy (@SteveDoocy) February 23, 2017

Heartbroken about our dear colleague Alan Colmes. The first person to welcome me to @FoxNews always a smile on his face. He'll be so missed. — Abby Huntsman (@HuntsmanAbby) February 23, 2017

RIP @AlanColmes, a profoundly kind person. — Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) February 23, 2017

Very sorry to hear about the death of Alan Colmes. Always enjoyed his political commentary, even when I often disagreed with it. RIP. pic.twitter.com/p1ogj5U2aC — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 23, 2017

Alan Colmes was a bright, funny, and gracious man who compiled a substantial and valuable body of work as a broadcaster and interviewer. RIP — James Rosen (@JamesRosenFNC) February 23, 2017

@CallyGingrich and I extend our deepest sympathy to Alan Colmes family. He was a wonderful friend and colleague. He will be deeply missed. — Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) February 23, 2017

R.I.P Alan. I was just on his radio show a few weeks ago. From @seanhannity & @AlanColmes-he's been at @FoxNews since the very start https://t.co/zxW1ZABVGD — Bret Baier (@BretBaier) February 23, 2017

Heartbroken about the passing of my dear friend & colleague Alan Colmes. The 1st to show me the ropes at @FoxNews. He will be truly missed pic.twitter.com/BMBSUoRT5R — Kimberly Guilfoyle (@kimguilfoyle) February 23, 2017

My dear friend @AlanColmes has died When my Dad died, Alan Took me out to eat every night so I wouldn't b alone. He was kind & generous. RIP — Leslie Marshall (@LeslieMarshall) February 23, 2017

Our friend @AlanColmes has passed. Alan’s kindness and sense of humor will be missed. Here he is on our first show as the “Liberal Panel” pic.twitter.com/mLdQBrB1Mo — Greg Gutfeld Show (@GregGutfeldShow) February 23, 2017

Devastated to hear @AlanColmes has passed. Such a sweet soul, always fun to spar with, and always ready to laugh. #RIP — Kennedy (@KennedyNation) February 23, 2017

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