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Alan Komissaroff, Fox News SVP of news & politics, dies at 47

Alan Komissaroff, the senior vice president of news and politics at Fox News, appears in an undated handout photo. (Image courtesy Fox News Media, Graphic by The Desk)
Alan Komissaroff, the senior vice president of news and politics at Fox News, appears in an undated handout photo. (Image courtesy Fox News Media, Graphic by The Desk)

Alan Kommissaroff, the senior vice president of news and political programming at Fox News Media, on Friday after being hospitalized following a heart attack earlier this month. He was 47 years old.

His death was announced in a memo penned by Suzanne Scott, the chief executive of Fox News Media, and the brand’s president and executive editor Jay Wallace.

“This is an extremely difficult day for all of us who worked closely with Alan, and we are completely heartbroken,” Scott and Wallace wrote in the memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Desk late Friday afternoon.

The memo continued:

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 recent midterm election coverage was easily one of the finest nights of special coverage he produced throughout his career. 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. 

He was also a proud “Fox News original” having started here fresh out of college when FNC launched in 1996. 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. His sharp sense of humor and quick wit throughout his incredible career also led to the many lifelong friendships he made here. 

Alan is survived by his loving wife Rachael, who was his high school sweetheart, and his beautiful children Ben (17) and Olivia (13). Our deepest condolences are with them and Alan’s entire extended family as we collectively mourn the loss of a wonderful man. 

A GoFundMe page launched to support Komissaroff’s family offers some insight into what happened: After exercising at his home, Komissaroff told his wife, Rachael, that he wasn’t feeling well. She called for an ambulance, and Komissaroff’s heart stopped beating while he was en route to the hospital.

Komissaroff was hospitalized after falling into a coma. He did not regain consciousness, and died on Friday.

It was not the first time Komissaroff suffered from a cardiac episode: In a 2013 segment aired on the Fox News Channel, he revealed that he once nearly died from a similar incident after suffering from cardiac arrest six times.

As of Friday afternoon, the GoFundMe had more than $46,000; among those donating were several current and former Fox News on-air personalities, including Sean Hannity, who chipped in $10,000. Neil Cavuto, Bret Baier and Shepard Smith contributed $5,000 each.

Fox News Media has made grief counseling services available to employees. A memorial service will be held for Komissaroff at a chapel in New Jersey on Sunday.

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About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys is a nationally recognized, award-winning journalist with over a decade of experience reporting on the business of media, broadcast television, streaming video platforms and emerging technology. He is the founder, publisher, and editor of TheDesk.net, a trusted source for in-depth news and analysis on the evolving media landscape.

Matthew’s reporting has appeared in major industry outlets, including StreamTV Insider, Digital Content Next and KnowTechie, where he covers topics at the intersection of journalism, streaming services, and digital media innovation. Throughout his career, he has held editorial roles at respected organizations such as Thomson Reuters, Tribune Media, the Disney-ABC Television Group and McNaughton Newspapers.

Known for his accuracy, clarity, and deep industry insight, Matthew continues to provide reliable reporting and thought leadership in a rapidly changing media environment. His work is frequently cited by industry leaders, analysts, and trade publications.