CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME UNAUDITED (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues
Investment advisory and incentive fees	$ 67,790	$ 65,244	$ 202,783	$ 197,407
Distribution fees and other income	11,139	11,486	33,768	33,419
Institutional research services	3,302	3,421	8,453	11,311
Total revenues	82,231	80,151	245,004	242,137
Expenses
Compensation	32,948	32,010	100,423	99,792
Management fee	3,056	1,387	9,855	8,126
Distribution costs	10,386	11,091	30,575	34,108
Other operating expenses	6,829	5,002	17,760	18,193
Total expenses	53,219	49,490	158,613	160,219
Operating income	29,012	30,661	86,391	81,918
Other income (expense)
Net gain/(loss) from investments	7,525	(16,152)	17,234	(3,743)
Extinguishment of Debt	(6,305)	0	(6,307)	0
Interest and dividend income	920	1,823	3,938	5,620
Interest expense	(3,586)	(4,418)	(12,419)	(10,688)
Total other income (expense), net	(1,446)	(18,747)	2,446	(8,811)
Income before income taxes	27,566	11,914	88,837	73,107
Income tax provision	8,467	4,745	30,909	26,978
Net income	19,099	7,169	57,928	46,129
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	95	(530)	(17)	140
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$ 19,004	$ 7,699	$ 57,945	$ 45,989
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.72	$ 0.29	$ 2.20	$ 1.72
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.72	$ 0.29	$ 2.19	$ 1.72
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	26,250	26,496	26,309	26,686
Diluted (in shares)	26,439	26,576	26,480	26,772
Dividends declared: (in dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.04	$ 0.63	$ 0.11