A little over a year after Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness announced their divorce, the Wolverine actor has moved on with a new relationship.
After months of speculation that Jackman, 56, had fallen for his The Music Man co-star, Sutton Foster, 49, the pair stepped out together holding hands and laughing after an intimage dinner in Santa Monica, Californing on Monday, January 6.
He and the Younger movie star starred alongside one another in Broadway’s The Music Man from 2022 to 2023.
On Oct. 22 49-year-old Foster filed for “uncontested divorce” from her screenwriter husband Ted Griffin.
“They are 100 per cent together and are in love and want to spend the rest of their lives together,” a source previously told Page Six of Jackman and Foster.
Another source suggested the duo had worked hard to keep the relationship out of the headlines.
“They go out of their way to hide it, but it’s common knowledge,” the insider said.
While the pair themselves have refrained from confirming nor denying the reports, these images of the relaxed and loved-up couple on a dinner date have confirmed the rumours.
Who is Sutton Foster?
Foster is a two-time Tony Award winner, and her background mirrors Jackman’s in that she started out in theatre and has a passion for the stage.
She has a 30-year career spanning theatre, film and TV and is known for her work on Broadway.
She won her first Tony Award in 2022 for her portrayal of Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie. In 2011, she won another for her role as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes.
In a resurfaced interview from their time co-starring in The Music Man, Jackman heaped praise on Foster saying she was “just a dream” to work with.
She also spoke highly of Jackman in a 2022 interview with Vogue.
“He has an impeccable reputation of being the hardest working man, incredibly kind, and generous – and all of that is true,” she said.
“He disarms everyone, and he doesn’t make anything about him. And he’s now become one of my best friends, which was a surprise, because you usually go into these things thinking, ‘Well, I hope we get along.'”
“But we just spent Memorial Day with our families. It’s really fun to meet new friends after 40.”
Hugh filed for divorce from Deborra-lee in September 2023, after 27 years of marriage. They share two adult children, son Oscar, 24, and daughter Ava, 19, whom they adopted.
Meanwhile, Foster shares a 7-year-old daughter, also adopted, with her former partner, Ted Griffin.
Jackman and Furness released a joint statement at the time of their separation, telling fans, “We have been blessed to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage.
“Our journey now is shifting, and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.”
Has Deborra-Lee responded to the rumours?
On October 26, gossip blogger Tasha Lustig wrote a provocative post about the relationship between Jackman and Foster, claiming they were currently planning a “soft launch”.
Not surprisingl, the post quickly racked up views. According to Us Weekly, it was liked by Jackman’s ex Deborra-lee Furness’ private account, only visible to people she follows. Furness’ close friend, English media personality Amanda de Cadenet also weighed in: “You are on point with this one,” she commented. “My beloved friend Deb is about to have her glow up any moment.”
Have Hugh and Sutton addressed the speculation?
Neither Jackman nor Foster has publicly commented on their couple status. In the past, however, they have been openly adoring in their social media posts about each other.
“You’re an exceptional talent and friend. Your joy brings the company of [The Music Man] to life. Let’s do this!” Jackman posted when their show went into previews. On opening night, Foster showed off a band leader hat she crocheted for Jackman and shared pics of them posing together on the red carpet with the caption: “This man. An honour to be by your side. You. Are. The. BEST.”
In June 2022, Foster gushed to Vogue about how close she and Jackman had become. “He has an impeccable reputation of being the hardest working man, incredibly kind and generous – and all of that is true,” she said. “He disarms everyone, and he doesn’t make anything about him … He’s now become one of my best friends, which was a surprise, because you usually go into these things thinking, ‘Well, I hope we get along.’”
Jackman, married to Furness for 27 years, has been equally effusive about Foster. “We’re just having the best time,” he said on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in April 2022. “Sutton Foster, I think, is the greatest in the world at what she does, which is seemingly everything.”
