Sean Hannity is an American television and radio host, political commentator, and author. He is best known for hosting the Fox News Channel program Hannity and the nationally syndicated Sean Hannity Show. His broadcasting career began in local radio and grew into a high-profile role in U.S. conservative media. He has also written several political books and hosts a podcast for Fox News Media.
Hannity’s work is commentary: his programs present political opinions, interviews, and analysis from a conservative perspective. His long career has brought a large audience, awards, and influence, along with criticism over his relationship with political figures and the claims he has promoted. This biography covers his background, broadcasting career, public profile, and family life using official and reputable sources.
Sean Hannity: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Sean Patrick Hannity |
| Date of birth | December 30, 1961 |
| Age | 64, as of October 24, 2026 |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, United States |
| Profession | Television host, radio host, political commentator, and author |
| Fox News program | Hannity |
| Radio program | The Sean Hannity Show |
| Podcast | Hang Out with Sean Hannity |
| Political perspective | Conservative |
| Former spouse | Jill Rhodes |
| Children | Two |
Hannity’s Fox News profile says he joined the network in 1996 and currently hosts Hannity on weeknights. His radio syndicator, Premiere Networks, describes his radio program as a nationally syndicated weekday show. Fox News host profile · Premiere Networks program profile
Early Life and Education
Sean Patrick Hannity was born on December 30, 1961, in New York City. He grew up in Franklin Square on Long Island. His parents, Hugh and Lillian Hannity, worked in New York’s justice system. Hannity was the youngest child and the only son in his family, according to Biography.com.
He attended Catholic schools and later studied at Adelphi University, New York University, and the University of California, Santa Barbara. He did not graduate from college. His education took place alongside a growing interest in radio and politics, and he eventually chose to pursue broadcasting rather than continue his studies.
Before becoming a full-time radio host, Hannity worked in home-improvement and construction-related jobs. While living in California, he sought an opportunity at the University of California, Santa Barbara’s student radio station, KCSB. That first experience put him in front of a microphone and set the direction of his career.
First Radio Work and the KCSB Controversy
Hannity began as a volunteer host at KCSB in 1989. His program used an aggressive talk-radio style and included a controversial broadcast about LGBTQ people and AIDS. The station removed him from the air after complaints about the show and his remarks toward another host. KQED’s retrospective reviewed recordings and interviews with people involved at the station at the time.
Hannity later described himself as young and inexperienced and said that comments made during the broadcast were “ignorant and embarrassing.” Biography.com also reports his statement that he is libertarian on social issues and people’s private lives. Including this episode provides context for his early career; it does not define his entire body of work or represent a complete account of his later views. KQED’s reporting on Hannity’s early radio work
After leaving KCSB, Hannity found paid radio work in Alabama. He hosted a talk program at WVNN in Huntsville and later moved to WGST in Atlanta. Those stations helped him build a regional audience and gain experience in the format that would become central to his career.
National Radio Career
Hannity moved to New York radio in the 1990s, joining WABC. His program later moved into a prominent afternoon time slot. In September 2001, The Sean Hannity Show entered national syndication. Premiere Networks marked the program’s 25th year in national syndication in 2026 and said it was carried by more than 700 stations.
Talk radio gave Hannity a direct way to speak with listeners about current events, politics, and cultural issues. His style is opinion-driven and conversational, with a strong emphasis on conservative arguments. His audience grew through syndication and his appearances on television, helping him become one of the most recognizable figures in U.S. talk radio.
Hannity has received two Marconi Awards for nationally syndicated radio personality and was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2017. The Radio Hall of Fame’s biography traces his path from college radio to national syndication and television. National Radio Hall of Fame profile
Fox News and Television Career
Hannity joined Fox News Channel in 1996 as co-host of Hannity & Colmes, a debate program that paired him with liberal commentator Alan Colmes. The show presented contrasting political views and helped establish Hannity as a national television personality.
After Hannity & Colmes ended in 2009, Hannity began hosting a solo hour under his own name. Fox News says he currently hosts Hannity on weeknights at 9 p.m. Eastern. The program generally combines a monologue, interviews, and commentary on current political issues.
Hannity’s television career has included interviews with politicians, government officials, public figures, and entertainers. Fox News highlights interviews with several U.S. presidents and other political leaders. The network also reports that his program has regularly ranked among cable news’ most-watched shows. Those audience rankings are network-reported and can vary with the measurement period.
Because Hannity’s program is an opinion and commentary show, its arguments should be understood as the host’s perspective. For readers comparing coverage, it is useful to distinguish commentary from straight news reporting and to consult multiple sources on contested political claims.
Podcast and New Media Projects
In March 2026, Fox News Media launched Hang Out with Sean Hannity, a twice-weekly long-form interview podcast. The show features conversations with people from politics, sports, business, and entertainment. Fox News said the podcast would be filmed in Florida and would run alongside Hannity’s television and radio programs.
The podcast represents an expansion of Hannity’s media work beyond scheduled broadcast shows. Long-form interviews give guests more time to explain their views and experiences, while Hannity continues to guide the conversation and choose topics. Fox News Media’s announcement describes the project and its planned format. Fox News Media announcement about the podcast
Books
Hannity has written several books about politics and American public life. His titles include Let Freedom Ring, Deliver Us from Evil, Conservative Victory, and Live Free or Die. The books present arguments from his conservative political viewpoint and extend themes from his radio and television commentary.
His writing, like his broadcast work, is opinion-oriented. Readers may find the books useful for understanding Hannity’s political positions, while historical or policy claims should be evaluated against independent reporting and original sources.
Political Profile and Public Debate
Hannity is one of the most prominent conservative commentators in American media. He has frequently interviewed and supported Republican politicians and has been a vocal supporter of Donald Trump. His closeness to political figures has prompted discussion about the boundary between journalism, commentary, and political advocacy.
In 2018, Hannity drew scrutiny after appearing at a Trump campaign rally while also hosting a program on Fox News. Fox News said he had not been scheduled as a speaker and that the network did not approve his participation. Hannity said he had spoken briefly to show support for the president. The episode illustrates why commentators’ political relationships are often part of the public conversation about their work.
Critics have also accused Hannity of promoting claims that were not established by evidence. Supporters describe him as a forceful conservative advocate who challenges mainstream media and gives voice to right-leaning audiences. These descriptions reflect different evaluations of his role; this biography identifies him as a political commentator rather than presenting his program as neutral reporting.
Personal Life
Hannity married journalist Jill Rhodes in 1993. The couple announced in 2020 that they had divorced after more than two decades of marriage. Their representatives said they had reached agreements several years earlier and remained committed to co-parenting their two children. The family has generally kept the children’s lives private, and this article avoids unnecessary personal details.
Hannity’s exact current residence and other private information are not necessary to understanding his public career. He has spoken publicly about his work and political views, but maintains boundaries around much of his family life.
Career Timeline
| Year or period | Milestone | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Born in New York City | Raised in Franklin Square on Long Island |
| 1989 | Started as a volunteer host at KCSB | First radio broadcasting experience |
| Early 1990s | Hosted radio shows in Alabama and Atlanta | Built a regional talk-radio audience |
| 1996 | Joined Fox News as co-host of Hannity & Colmes | Entered national television broadcasting |
| 1997 | Joined WABC radio in New York | Expanded his radio presence in a major market |
| 2001 | The Sean Hannity Show began national syndication | Reached listeners across the United States |
| 2009 | Began solo Fox News program Hannity | Moved from debate format to a solo-host show |
| 2017 | Inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame | Recognition for his radio career |
| 2020 | Divorce from Jill Rhodes became public | Former couple said they remained focused on their children |
| 2026 | Launched Hang Out with Sean Hannity | Expanded into long-form podcast interviews |
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Sean Hannity?
Sean Hannity was born on December 30, 1961. He is 64 years old as of October 24, 2026.
What is Sean Hannity known for?
He is known for hosting the Fox News program Hannity and the nationally syndicated Sean Hannity Show.
What is Sean Hannity’s political affiliation?
Hannity is a conservative political commentator. He has said he identifies as a conservative rather than as a Republican, though he frequently supports Republican candidates and causes.
When did Sean Hannity join Fox News?
He joined Fox News Channel in 1996 as co-host of Hannity & Colmes.
Does Sean Hannity have a podcast?
Yes. Fox News Media launched Hang Out with Sean Hannity in March 2026.
Was Sean Hannity married?
He was married to Jill Rhodes. They announced their divorce in 2020 and have two children.
Did Sean Hannity graduate from college?
He attended Adelphi University, New York University, and the University of California, Santa Barbara, but did not graduate, according to Biography.com.
What is Sean Hannity’s net worth?
His personal net worth has not been confirmed in a reliable public financial disclosure. Online estimates should be treated as unverified.
Final Word
Sean Hannity built a long career by bringing conservative political commentary to radio, television, books, and digital media. From his first volunteer radio slot in California to national syndication and his Fox News program, his work has reached a large audience and shaped political debate. He is also a polarizing figure, and readers evaluating his claims should distinguish commentary from independently reported news and check contentious statements against reliable sources.