Longtime Fox News Channel Executive Dead At 47

By
David Rufful
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OPINION | This article contains opinion that reflects the author's views.

Fox News Senior Vice President of News & Politics Alan Komissaroff died in his home.

He suffered a heart attack at 47 years old.

Komissaroff was an “original” because he joined when Fox News launched in 1996. It was his first job after college.

The heart attack occurred two weeks ago, but Komissaroff did not successfully recover.

Fox News anchor Bret Baier said that Komissaroff has “been a crucial leader in our coverage for every major news event and every election night.”

“Alan recently led a discussion about the midterms at a company town hall. He was a happy warrior. He always had a smile on his face. He was a true professional.”

“He always thought outside the box and made us better every day.”

The past November, Komissaroff oversaw the political coverage for the pivotal election night.

Komissaroff was a native of Brooklyn, New York, and his wife, Rachael, is a New York City teacher. They were childhood sweethearts and were married for over 20 years.

Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott said, “This is an extremely difficult day for all of us who worked closely with Alan, and we are completely heartbroken.”

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“Alan was a leader and mentor throughout FOX News Media who was integral to our daily news operations and played an indispensable role in every election cycle,” the statement continued.

“The recent midterm election coverage was easily one of the finest nights of special coverage he produced throughout his career,” she added.

“And he was the ultimate producer: breaking news, politics, special events — there was no steadier or more trusted colleague to be with in the control room during the most consequential events of our time, and his incisiveness and passion for news made our work better,” Scott said.

“He would joke that he was a guy from ‘real Brooklyn’ and rose through the ranks to become a writer, producer, showrunner and eventually Senior Vice President of News & Politics, overseeing all political coverage,” Scott wrote.

“His sharp sense of humor and quick wit throughout his incredible career also led to the many lifelong friendships he made here.”

“Our deepest condolences are with them and Alan’s entire extended family as we collectively mourn the loss of a wonderful man,” Scott concluded.

A GoFundMe was created as a fundraiser to benefit Komissaroff’s family. In the first hours, it generated more than $75,000.