Who Is Douglas Brunt, Megyn Kelly's Husband?
The tech CEO-turned-author has been married to Kelly since 2008.
![2016 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Graydon Carter - Arrivals](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fC6RXxTYKYNkEWActvuuSN-415-80.jpg)
By now, you've probably heard about the upcoming movie Bombshell, which stars Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, and Margot Robbie. It follows the real-life downfall of Fox News chairman, Roger Alies, after more than 20 women accused him of sexual harassment. Theron plays Megyn Kelly, who worked as a Fox News anchor between 2004 to 2017. In the film, she's one of the many women that speaks out against Alies.
While we're still not over Theron's insane transformation as Kelly for the film, there's also a lot we don't know about Kelly's IRL husband, Douglas Brunt, played by Mark Duplass. For starters, the couple has been married since 2008 and has remained each other's support system throughout the years.
Here, everything you need to know about Brunt, 48, and his relationship with Kelly.
He's a former CEO of a tech company.
Brunt grew up near Philadelphia where he attended The Haverford School and graduated from Duke University. He was formerly a management consultant for the information tech company, Booz Allen & Hamilton, and served as a director with Idealab!.
However, he's best known for his position as CEO and president of the Florida-based security software company Authentium, Inc., which he led from 2001 to 2011. Brunt sold the company in 2010 for $8 million to Commtouch, now known as Cyren.
A year later, he would leave the company to focus on another passion of his: writing.
'Kelly (Charlize Theron) and Brunt (Mark Duplass) in Bombshell. '
He's a best-selling author.
After leaving the tech company to focus on his writing career full time, Brunt published his first book, Ghosts of Manhattan, in 2013. It's about an unhappy Wall Street exec addicted to making money and became an instant New York Times bestseller. He's published two other books: The Means, a novel about how to win in politics today, and Trophy Son, a story about a tennis prodigy.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
According to his website, he's currently working on his fourth book set for release next year.
The couple met on a blind date.
Before Kelly and Brunt were supposed to meet for their blind date at a tapas bar in Washington, D.C., Kelly made her friends go scope out Brunt before she arrived. (We've all been there, Megyn!) Her friends later texted her to say he was super cute and to follow through with the date. His looks weren't what won her over, though.
"He came across as sincere,” Kelly told the New York Times in 2008. “While we were talking, he leaned forward, really listening to what I was saying. He’s also clever and has a great sense of humor.”
'Douglas Brunt and Megyn Kelly at the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in May 2016. '
Kelly and Brunt almost didn't get married.
The pair managed a long-distance relationship while Kelly worked in Washington D.C. and Brunt worked in Florida with the tech company. When Kelly got word she was offered a job at Fox News as an anchor for in 2006, she moved to New York to start the job in the new year.
Then there was the dog incident. On New Year's Eve, the couple was walking Kelly's two Shih Tzus when Brunt lost control of one of the leashes and the dog ran into the street, almost getting hit by a car. Brunt apologized, but the couple still got into a huge fight and Kelly accused him of trying to kill her dog, per the Times.
The next day, the couple had a heart-to-heart and realized what they had was too special to pass on. Brunt had planned to propose with a nicer ring, but he couldn't wait. He ended up picking one out similar to the gem Rose wore in the Titanic at a costume store and popped the question when they were sitting seaside on a bench in New Jersey.
Kelly told The New York Times, "I was so stunned that I just sat there staring at him, thinking, ‘What is he doing?"
“She took so long to answer that I thought I had just made a total fool of myself,” Brunt said.
You can probably guess how the story ends, but Kelly ended up saying yes and the couple was married in March 2008. They share three children: Edward, 10, Yardley, 8, and Thatcher, 6, and they reside in New York.
As for personal interests for Kelly's leading man, on Brunt's Twitter you'll find photos of their latest vacations together, opinions on Game of Thrones, and book recommendations galore.
Bombshell premieres in theaters everywhere December 20, 2019.
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
RELATED STORIES
Bianca Rodriguez is the Fashion & Luxury Commerce Manager at Hearst Magazines, covering fashion, beauty, and more for Cosmopolitan, Elle, Esquire, Harper’s BAZAAR, and Town & Country. In addition to spearheading commerce content across brands—from writing about wardrobe must-haves and sales at major retailers to strategizing—she is also an avid reader with a deep love and knowledge for books of all genres. More often than not, you can find her lounging with a good book on the weekend.
-
Zendaya Delivers a Podium-Worthy Pre-Olympics Gown
She's shining brighter than the City of Lights.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
'Love Island USA' Star Kenny Rodriguez Is Not "Playing Around" with His and JaNa Craig's Romance Outside of the Villa
The prince and princess of season 6 have remained the cutest couple since filming wrapped.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
So Many Celebrity Beauty Favorites Are in Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale
Shop Jennifer Lopez, Meghan Markle, and Kaia Gerber's beloved picks.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
How 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' Pulled Off Its Iconic Wardrobe With Gowns From the Mall of America and Crafting
As the cult classic turns 25, its costume designer opens up about creating magic on a scrappy production.
By Sadie Bell Published
-
How the 'Twisters' Soundtrack Rides Country Music's Mainstream Storm
The summer blockbuster is blowing into theaters with storm-wrangling sequences and killer needle drops.
By Sadie Bell Published
-
Breaking Down the Shocking, Satanic Ending of ‘Longlegs’
The horror film and box-office hit stars Maika Monroe as an FBI agent hunting a serial killer played by Nicolas Cage.
By Sadie Bell Published
-
'Maxxxine' Is an Homage to the Sleazy Horror Genre Giallo—But Does Away With Its Violence Against Women Cliché
The new 'X' movie is inspired by the sleazy Giallo genre, but its lead flips the misogynistic horror style on its head.
By Sadie Bell Published
-
Maika Monroe Opens Up About Crafting a Nuanced Final Girl in Her 'Longlegs' Character Lee Harker
The actress opens up about her affinity for playing final girls and crafting her character in this year’s runaway horror hit.
By Sadie Bell Published
-
32 Movies to Watch if You Like Sci-Fi
Whether you're into films set in space or time travel.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
The 17 Best Feminist Horror Movies Ever
Calling all scream queens.
By Sadie Bell Published
-
'Janet Planet' Is the Latest Must-See Entry in the Mother-Daughter Movie Canon
The sweet A24 movie marks the feature debut of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker.
By Sadie Bell Published