Sean Hannity

Conservative political commentator and author Sean Hannity hosts the daily Fox News Channel political debate show Hannity & Colmes, as well as the second-most-popular talk radio show in America, The Sean Hannity Show, syndicated on over 500 stations nationwide. On November 24, 2008, Alan Colmes announced that after twelve years of partnering with Hannity, he would be leaving the show at the end of the year.The New York Times: One Half of 'Hannity & Colmes' Is Leaving (November 24, 2008) Hannity will take over as the program's sole host.The New York Times: Hannity to Go It Alone, Without Colmes (November 24, 2008)

1. Born December 30, 1961 in New York City
2. Hosts Fox News Channel weekend program Hannity's America
3. Religion: Roman Catholic
4. Spouse: Jill Rhodes Hannity
5. Show's theme music: "The Way It Is" by Bruce Hornsby and the Range
6. Runs dating website "Hannidate," introducing conservative singles
7. Received honorary degree from Jerry Falwell's Liberty University

Hannity started his radio career in 1989 at the radio station of University of California, Santa Barbara. His show was canceled after the school accused him of discrimination against gays and lesbians, but this decision was reversed amid pressure from the American Civil Liberties Union.

After Santa Barbara, Hannity worked on a variety of stations, mainly in the American South, before being tapped in 1996 by Roger Ailes of Fox News to host Hannity and Colmes with liberal commentator Alan Colmes.

Hannity has written two best-selling books about conservative politics, Let Freedom Ring and Deliver Us From Evil. He says that, because of time constraints, he typically dictates the books into a tape recorder while driving.

• Born December 30, 1961 in New York City

• 1980: Graduated St. Pius X Preparatory Seminary, Long Island

• 1989: Dismissed from KCSB after a controversial interview about AIDS

• 1996: Joined Fox News Channel as co-host of Hannity & Colmes

• 2004: Signed a $25 million, five-year contract extension with ABC Radio to continue the show through 2009

• The Onion: Alan Colmes' Death Goes Unreported On Hannity & Colmes (2006)