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Kelly Dodd, Rick Leventhal ‘never happier’ despite ‘RHOC,’ Fox News exits

Rick Leventhal and Kelly Dodd
Rick Leventhal and Kelly Dodd flash a big smile as they go for a walk with their dogs.TheImageDirect.com

Consider them funemployed.

Kelly Dodd and husband Rick Leventhal are “living their best lives” despite having both been let go from their respective Bravo and Fox News gigs this week.

“I’ve been with a terrific network for 24 years and am so proud of the work I did and so thankful for the support from colleagues and viewers,” Leventhal, 61, told Page Six in an exclusive statement on Friday. “I’m living my best life in California with Kelly now and have never been happier.”

Paparazzi photos taken on Friday of the veteran reporter and his wife seemingly confirm the pair are in good spirits.

Leventhal and Dodd, 45, were photographed going for a walk with their two dogs in Newport Beach, Calif., flashing big smiles during their outing.

The duo was casually dressed, with Leventhal in a blue shirt, black sweatpants and matching backwards cap, and Dodd in a peach sweatshirt, green shorts, a black Yankees cap and flip-flops.

Rick Leventhal and Kelly Dodd were photographed in Newport Beach, Calif. TheImageDirect.com

The couple could both be seen checking their phones in some of the photos. As of Friday, Dodd’s ongoing feud with “Shahs of Sunset” star Golnesa “GG” Gharachedaghi has not cooled down, so perhaps the pair were checking up the latest news bump.

The beef between the Bravolebrities began on Wednesday when Gharachedaghi fired shots at Dodd following her “Real Housewives of Orange County” exit, writing that she was “soooo glad” about the news. Dodd sniffed in response, “I don’t know that woman. I don’t watch that show.”

Are Rick Leventhal and Kelly Dodd getting up to speed on all the drama with GG? TheImageDirect.com

Despite the drama, Leventhal told us Dodd is “really excited” for what the future holds.

“Kelly had a terrific five years with ‘RHOC’ and developed a remarkably loyal fan base who’ve shown her incredible love and support, especially this week,” he said. 

“She is grateful to Bravo for all the opportunities and we’re both enjoying our newfound freedom. She and I are really excited about this change in our lives, giving us the time and room to be more creative on our own and make our dreams come true together.”

Leventhal and Dodd tied the knot in October 2020. They met in the Hamptons in August 2019, and had a long-distance relationship for some time before the New York-based Leventhal asked his job to relocate him for love.

The couple, who wed in 2019, have no children together. TheImageDirect.com

However, the move apparently contributed to his departure from Fox News.

“When Rick came to us and asked to cease reporting breaking news nationally and remain in Los Angeles where we relocated him at his request in 2020, we understood and respected his decision to spend more time with his wife building a new life in California,” a rep for the channel told Page Six earlier this week.

Rick Leventhal has “never been happier” since marrying Kelly Dodd, he told us. TheImageDirect.com

“We wish him much luck and happiness in all of his future endeavors and thank him for his incredible contributions to Fox News Media over the last 24 years.”

Meanwhile, Bravo announced on Wednesday that Dodd — alongside Braunwyn Windham-Burke and Elizabeth Lyn Vargas — would not be returning for Season 16 of “RHOC.”