Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster ‘Gave Up a Lot’ for Their Relationship, But It Was ‘Worth It’

Nobody would expect to spot Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster at an In-N-Out Burger in San Fernando, California. The pair, who costarred on Broadway in The Music Man, arrived at the fast food franchise in a Range Rover the week of January 6 and, after exiting the car, kissed passionately in a parking garage.

Out of respect for their families, it’s taken a long time for Hugh, 56, and Sutton, 49, to go public with their love. The pair were both married when Cupid’s arrow hit them during the 2022 to 2023 run of their Broadway show. A few months after it ended, Hugh filed for divorce from Deborra-Lee Furness, the mom of his two adult children and his wife of 27 years.

A little over a year later, Sutton and her husband, screenwriter Ted Griffin, with whom she shares a daughter, Emily, 7, announced their split.

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“Hugh and Sutton were both ready for changes in their lives,” an insider exclusively tells Closer. “Unfortunately, sacrifices had to be made. They did give up a lot, but they feel that time will reveal that it was worth it.”

In other words, this relationship is not a fling for either of them. They are both in it for the long haul. “It’s tough navigating the end of a marriage and the start of a new romance, but Sutton’s clearly in love with him. You can see it in her face and body language,” says the insider. “Hugh is harder to read because he always wants everyone to be happy, but it’s an exciting time for him.”

Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster Were Backstage Buddies

While both actors have known success in films and television, the stage owns their hearts. “I love the challenges of live theater. I love collaborating,” says Sutton, who recently starred in a revival of Once Upon a Mattress.

Hugh feels the same way. “People always say, ‘What do you prefer, the theater or movies?’” he says. “And I say, ‘I love them both. But if you had to give me one, it would be the theater.’”

It’s no surprise that these two Broadway veterans have known each other casually for years. In 2002, when Sutton starred in her breakthrough role in Thoroughly Modern Millie — earning comparisons to a young Carol Burnett and Mary Tyler Moore — Hugh visited her backstage. They remained friendly acquaintances over the next years until they teamed up to play Harold Hill and Marian Paroo in a revival of The Music Man. Delayed by the COVID outbreak, the show opened on February 10, 2022.

“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,’” said Sutton later that summer. “We just spent Memorial Day with our families. It’s really fun to meet new friends after 40.”

Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster’s New Lives

Neither of them was expecting to fall in love. Hugh and Deborra-Lee met on the set of an Australian TV show, wed in 1996 and enjoyed one of Hollywood’s longest marriages. After a disappointing early union, Sutton thought she’d found her happy ending with Ted, a screenwriter responsible for 2001’s Ocean’s Eleven, with whom she adopted daughter Emily in 2017.

“Hugh and Sutton are good people who didn’t want to hurt anyone,” says the insider. “But I think both Deborra-Lee and Ted were blindsided. They were all close friends, and Hugh and Sutton certainly had chemistry — but who knows who knew what.”

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There have been heartbreaking truths shared and many tears cried over the past two years. “Breaking up with Deborra-Lee was one of the hardest conversations Hugh’s ever had,” says the insider, who adds that the couple’s marriage had been on the rocks for some time. Still, “Hugh misses her dearly. He misses their conversations, her smile, her playfulness, her sense of humor, the supportive way she always treated him, and her positive outlook on life.”

In recent months, they’ve not been in touch very much. “Hugh and Deborra-Lee are trying to be amicable, but she’s still hurt,” says the insider. “They’ve been a couple and best friends for decades, but Deborra-Lee needs her space. She and Hugh have decided not to communicate for now unless it has something to do with the children.”

Deborra-Lee admits it’s been an adjustment but calls herself “strong and resilient.”

“Change, transition, evolution is a little frightening, and we are all a bit scared of it,” she says, “but I think it is probably our greatest gift.”

The couple’s kids, Oscar, 24, and Ava, 20, are trying to stay neutral because they love their father, but it’s hard.

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“They’re handling it OK, but they’re also heartbroken for their mom,” says the insider, who calls the divorce “devastating” for the entire family.

Sutton, meanwhile, has also made some difficult decisions, including selling the 1895 Dutch colonial in Tuxedo Park, New York, that she once called her “forever home” in her divorce from Ted. “Sutton will get primary custody of their daughter, Emily, but Ted will coparent,” explains the insider, who notes that Emily has already changed schools. “Sutton is a great mom, so I’m sure she is handling the changes in Emily’s life very carefully.”

Explaining it all to her daughter has also been very difficult, but Sutton wants to be honest with Emily. She has always wanted to be a role model for her daughter. “I want to be there for her,” says Sutton, “and I also want to be an example of someone who’s living her dream.”

Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster’s Next Chapter

Hugh and Sutton haven’t walked a red carpet together yet, but it’s likely just a matter of time.

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“They don’t want their relationship to be the focus, but they’re also not trying to hide it anymore,” explains the insider. “People have questioned their commitment to their former spouses and family and if there was any infidelity. That’s hurtful to them and their reputations.”

While they can’t control what other people are saying, they’re moving forward with their relationship, confident that all the heartache and sleepless nights have been worth it.

“Hugh and Sutton don’t want to rush things,” says a second friend. “They’re trying to move forward in a caring, considerate way. They mean to stay together. As stressful as this has been for them and their loved ones, Hugh and Sutton know they have a future together.”