CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating activities
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$ 77,809	$ 117,121	$ 83,412
Loss/(income) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0	0	3,887
Income from continuing operations	77,809	117,121	87,299
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization	595	625	618
Stock based compensation expense	8,669	3,959	9,868
Deferred income taxes	(5,451)	(5,537)	1,166
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options	0	0	102
Foreign currency translation gain/(loss)	82	(164)	(46)
Donated securities	1,124	499	1,945
Gains on sales of available for sale securities	(62)	(4)	(6)
Accretion of zero coupon debentures	0	0	628
Loss on extinguishment of debt	3,300	0	1,067
Acquisition of identifiable intangible asset	0	0	(1,661)
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Investments in trading securities	8	186	(240)
Receivable from affiliates	329	(927)	21,393
Receivable from brokers	(1,125)	638	592
Investment advisory fees receivable	5,024	(12,688)	6,679
Income tax receivable and deferred tax assets	(6,267)	(2,562)	(4,354)
Other assets	(73)	(69)	529
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Payable to affiliates	(557)	(6,275)	7,333
Payable to brokers	(990)	54	1
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities	4,473	2,768	(10,401)
Compensation payable	40,517	17,969	(6,369)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(714)	144	987
Total adjustments	48,882	(1,384)	29,831
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	126,691	115,737	117,130
Investing activities
Purchases of available for sale securities	(3,932)	(1,843)	(6,279)
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities	4,169	408	81
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from continuing operations	237	(1,435)	(6,198)
Financing activities
Repayment of Zero coupon subordinated debentures due December 31, 2015	0	0	(13,101)
Repurchase of 5.875% Senior note due June 1, 2021	0	0	(76,533)
Repurchases of AC 4% PIK Note due November 30, 2020	(50,000)	(150,000)	0
Proceeds from 4.5% Convertible note due August 15, 2021	0	109,826	0
Repayment of 4.5% Convertible note due August 15, 2021	(113,300)	0	0
Repayment of GGCP loan due December 28, 2016	0	(35,000)	0
Proceeds from GGCP loan due December 28, 2016	0	0	35,000
Proceeds from 1.6% AC Note due February 28, 2018	15,000	0	0
Margin loan borrowings	20,850	0	0
Margin loan repayments	(5,000)	0	0
Amortization of debt issuance costs	187	33	0
Net cash transferred from AC	0	0	(21,739)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0	1,167
Dividends paid	(2,315)	(2,333)	(7,468)
Purchase of treasury stock	(14,324)	(10,773)	(27,249)
Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations	(148,902)	(88,247)	(109,923)
Cash flows of discontinued operations
Net cash provided by operating activities	0	0	54,335
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0	(41,463)
Net cash used in financing activities	0	0	(12,871)
Net cash provided by discontinued operations	0	0	1
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	(17)	38	15
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(21,991)	26,093	1,025
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	39,812	13,719	12,694
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	17,821	39,812	13,719
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	12,180	11,274	7,011
Cash paid for taxes	$ 62,259	$ 75,238	$ 59,657