Following His Divorce and Alleged Affair: Hugh Jackman’s Life Under Close Examination
Hugh Jackman: Following his divorce from long-time wife Deborra-Lee Furness and reports of an alleged affair with co-star Sutton Foster, Hugh Jackman’s personal life has been under close examination. Beloved for his performances in movies like The Greatest Showman and X-Men, the actor has long been praised not only for his skill but also for his apparently perfect marriage. But as specifics of the claimed relationship with Foster surfaced, the flaws in that façade started to show.
A Marriage Spanning Decades
First meeting on the Australian TV series Corelli in 1995 were 56-year-old Jackman and 68-year-old Furness. Furness was a seasoned actor at the time, and Jackman was a drama school graduate ready to promote himself. Their chemistry was obvious, and soon they started a relationship that would result in their 1996 wedding. Over time, the pair came to represent steadfast love in an industry marked by transient relationships. They spoke of their close relationship and shared their life publicly most of the time. A monument to the couple’s dedication to family were their two adopted children, Oscar, now 24, and Ava, 19.
But Jackman and Furness announced their divorce in September 2023 following 27 years of marriage. Released only to People, their comment underlined their mutual respect and dedication to family: “We have been lucky to share almost 3 decades together as husband and wife in a lovely, loving marriage. Our path is changing now, and we have chosen to split up to seek our separate personal development.” Emphasizing that their family will always come first, the couple requested privacy while they navigated this new chapter.
Fans and friends were shocked by this revelation. The Jackmans had always been thought of as a lighthouse of consistency and love. Their split felt abrupt and begged questions about possible mistakes. As conjecture developed, Jackman’s experience on Broadway with Sutton Foster soon took center stage.
The Broadway Link: The Music Man
Jackman and Foster’s professional relationship began while workshopping Jerry Zaks’ Broadway production of The Music Man in 2020. Originally postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the production finally opened in December 2021 and ran formally from February 2022 to January 2023. Foster assumed the part of Marian Paroo while Jackman portrayed Harold Hill. Their chemistry on stage was undeniable and started discussions about their strong off-stage relationship.
Both performers gave freely in their compliments for one another during interviews. Foster said in a 2022 interview with Vogue that Jackman had an “impeccable reputation” for being polite, industrious, and giving. She noted, “And he’s now become one of my best friends,” which surprised her as people usually go into these projects hoping to get along but not expecting such a strong bond. “Making new acquaintances beyond forty is very exciting,” she added.
Jackman returned these feelings in several interviews, praising Foster’s talent and the pleasure of working with her. Jackman said on Late Night with Seth Meyers in May 2022, “I have seen everything she has done. It’s wonderful.” Although at the time these remarks seemed benign, given current events, they have taken on new importance.
The Claims Unfold
Rumors about Jackman and Foster’s relationship advancing beyond friendship began to gather steam in late 2024. Tasha Lustig, a popular gossip blogger noted for her insight into celebrity events, posted a video on Instagram on October 26 that spurred significant speculation. In the video, featuring a red-carpet photo of Jackman and Foster, Lustig alleged, “Besties, do y’all remember when I told you this dude was up to no good? That he blindsided his wife and was running off with his lover? It seems they want to soft launch this now.”
Lustig’s post quickly gained traction, racking up over 1.4 million views. Among those who supposedly saw and “liked” the post was Deborra-Lee Furness, from her private Instagram account. This action was significant, implying that Furness was aware of the rumors and perhaps gave them some credence. British media personality Amanda de Cadenet, a close friend of Furness, added to the post, saying, “You are on point with this one. My dear friend Deb is going to have her glow up any moment fyi [for your knowledge].”
News sources, including Newsweek, reached out to representatives for Jackman, Furness, and Foster but received no immediate response. Still, the silence did little to quell the rumors as more reports surfaced from theater insiders. One anonymous source told Us Weekly, “Sutton and Hugh’s relationship is the reason Hugh and Deb got divorced. Many people on Broadway knew, and we kept quiet because both of them are really wonderful people. Everyone respected their privacy. But there was overlap and an affair.”
The Fallout and the Reaction of Furness
For Furness, the alleged betrayal was reportedly devastating. A friend of the former couple said she was shocked when she learned about Jackman’s relationship with Foster. “I think many people were shocked [Hugh] could do this to her, especially as she’s the mother of his children and they’ve navigated three decades of life together,” the friend said. “A little respect could have been in order.”
Their marriage’s end marked not only the conclusion of a relationship but also a dramatic shift in the narrative that had surrounded Jackman and Furness for years. Their relationship was often cited as a model of enduring Hollywood love. Many who had revered their marriage were disheartened to see it collapse under the shadow of alleged infidelity.
Adding to the intrigue was Sutton Foster’s divorce from screenwriter Ted Griffin in October 2024, coinciding with news of her connection with Jackman. The timing fueled speculation, lending weight to the theory that something had indeed occurred between Jackman and Foster. Foster and Griffin had been married for ten years and shared an adopted daughter, Emily, aged seven.
Hugh Jackman: Public Opinion and Media Investigation
Public response to the allegations has been varied. Supporters of Jackman and Foster argue that their relationship only developed after their respective marriages were already failing and that relationships are complicated. Conversely, many see the situation as a betrayal, especially given the history between Jackman and Furness and their reputation for having one of Hollywood’s strongest marriages.
Social media has been particularly harsh, with comments ranging from sympathetic to outright critical. One popular post read, “Deb stood by Hugh for nearly 30 years, raised two children with him, and now he walks off with someone he met at work? The least he could have done was show her some respect.” Another user countered, “We don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. Maybe their marriage was already over, and Hugh found happiness elsewhere.”
Furness’s “like” on Lustig’s post has been interpreted as a subtle acknowledgment of the affair. While some view it as a signal of acceptance and readiness to move on, others see it as a confirmation of the rumors. Amanda de Cadenet’s comment on the post reinforced the narrative that Furness was aware of the situation and prepared to reclaim her life following the alleged betrayal.
Hugh Jackman and Foster’s Side of the Story
Neither Jackman nor Foster has addressed the allegations publicly. However, their professional history offers some insight into their bond. During their time on The Music Man, Foster often spoke about the friendship and trust she built with Hugh Jackman. In a 2022 appearance on Live with Kelly and Ryan, she shared that they frequently spent time together in her dressing room before shows. “It’s really a great thing. One of the best parts of the whole process has been that I made this wonderful new friend,” she said.
The theater community, known for being tight-knit, was reportedly aware of their closeness. According to an insider quoted in Us Weekly, “It was apparently Broadway’s worst-kept secret, and Deborra-Lee was the last to know.” Despite the public scrutiny, the insider said that Jackman and Foster are now together and content, though they do not live together due to their children. “Sutton has told people on Broadway about the relationship. Everyone [there] has known about this for a long time,” the source added.
Hugh Jackman: The Broader Implications
This chapter in Jackman’s life is not just personal; it has implications for his public image and career. Hugh Jackman, renowned for his roles in major films and Broadway productions, has long been seen as a devoted husband and father. The revelation of an affair, whether confirmed or not, casts a shadow over that image and places him under more critical public scrutiny. Fans who once admired his commitment to Furness are reconsidering their views.
For Foster, the situation is similarly complicated. Having built her career on talent and a positive public persona, she risks being viewed as the other woman, though some may sympathize with the idea that relationships can evolve unexpectedly. The narrative of a professional relationship turning romantic is not new, but it rarely comes without repercussions.
Hugh Jackman: The Road Ahead
The question remains: what comes next for Jackman, Foster, and Furness? For Hugh Jackman and Foster, the focus will likely be on balancing their personal and professional lives amid intense public scrutiny. If they choose to speak out, it could either ease or exacerbate public perception.
For Furness, an established actress and advocate, this could mark a period of renewal and personal growth. With friends like de Cadenet in her corner, Furness may find that this chapter, while painful, leads to reinvention and new opportunities.
Stories of love and betrayal are common in the realm of celebrity news, but this one resonates particularly deeply due to the affection many felt for Jackman and Furness as a couple. Whether this chapter ends with public acknowledgment or continues in private, it serves as a reminder that even seemingly perfect narratives can have hidden complexities.
As Hugh Jackman, Foster, and Furness move forward, the impact of this revelation will not be easily forgotten by those involved or by the public who followed their story with admiration and, now, a degree of disbelief.
