CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION UNAUDITED (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 324,630	$ 276,340	$ 164,671
Investments in securities	257,607	238,333	279,713
Investments in sponsored registered investment companies	62,305	59,214	65,903
Investments in partnerships	101,685	100,893	94,584
Receivable from brokers	29,298	20,913	43,308
Investment advisory fees receivable	27,193	32,156	24,992
Income tax receivable	39	39	302
Other assets	23,668	28,861	24,030
Assets	826,425	756,749	697,503
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Payable to brokers	22,366	10,770	7,998
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities	24,782	15,296	25,035
Capital lease obligation	5,043	5,072	5,151
Compensation payable	28,834	17,695	22,883
Securities sold, not yet purchased	9,657	5,488	15,550
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests	1,390	1,386	1,466
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	28,692	24,441	28,351
Sub-total	120,764	80,148	106,434
5.5% Senior notes (due May 15, 2013)	99,000	99,000	99,000
5.875% Senior notes (due June 1, 2021)	100,000	100,000	0
Zero coupon subordinated debentures, Face value: $86.3 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and $86.4 million at March 31, 2011 (due December 31, 2015)	65,300	64,119	60,697
Total liabilities	385,064	343,267	266,131
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	16,828	6,071	28,884
Commitments and contingencies (Note J)
Equity
Preferred stock
Class A Common Stock	13	13	13
Class B Common Stock	20	20	20
Additional paid-in capital	265,280	264,409	262,686
Retained earnings	431,963	409,191	387,101
Accumulated other comprehensive income	25,960	22,520	27,900
Treasury stock, at cost	(302,152)	(292,181)	(278,870)
Total GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity	421,084	403,972	398,850
Noncontrolling interests	3,449	3,439	3,638
Total equity	424,533	407,411	402,488
Total liabilities and equity	$ 826,425	$ 756,749	$ 697,503