Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster’s Complete Relationship Timeline

Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster’s connection began long before they shared the stage in Broadway’s The Music Man. Over the years, their projects together led to a years-long offstage friendship, with both stars often speaking highly of each other on social media and sharing glimpses into their friendship. On Jan. 6, 2025, Foster and Jackman were photographed holding hands in Santa Monica, adding fuel to dating rumors.

Both actors are recently single, with Jackman and his ex-wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, sharing news of their split in September 2023. Foster filed from divorce from her ex-husband, Ted Griffin, in October 2024.

Here’s a detailed look at the key moments in Jackman and Foster’s relationship, both onstage and off.

Jackman and Foster crossed paths backstage at a performance of Thoroughly Modern Millie on Broadway, where Foster played Millie Dillmount. In July 2021, Foster posted a photo on Instagram of her and Jackman from that day. She captioned it, “Backstage at Thoroughly Modern Millie almost 20 years ago. Millie and Wolverine. Harold and Marian. Thank you @jeremydanielphoto for the great pic!.”

Jackman and Foster reconnected at Shrek: The Musical on Broadway, where Foster starred as Princess Fiona. A backstage photo captured the two smiling.

During the 68th Tony Awards, which Jackman hosted, he shared a playful moment with Foster. As Jackman danced through the audience, he briefly danced with Foster in a memorable moment from the ceremony.

It was announced that Jackman and Foster would co-star in the Broadway revival of The Music Man.

Speaking about Foster, The Music Man’s producer Scott Rudin told The Hollywood Reporter, “I’ve been a giant, besotted fan since Millie.”

He added, “I think she’s brilliant, and I’ve wanted to work with her for years. In terms of what we’re going for in this production, which is a rich, exciting, vibrant love story, she’s a fantastic partner for Hugh. When this show works brilliantly it’s when the Marian is a genuine obstacle to him, and I think she’ll be that in spades.”

On an episode of People Now shortly after the news broke, Foster expressed her excitement, saying, “Talk about charisma. I’m just so excited to be in the room with him and learn from him and work with him and to be able to do this classic musical.”

Rehearsals resumed for The Music Man, after the pandemic had put an 18-month halt to all Broadway productions. Jackman posted an Instagram carousel featuring photos of him and Foster on Instagram celebrating their return. He wrote, “On March 10, 2020 @suttonlenore and I took these photos. We were just starting our first workshop for @musicmanbway. Little did we know what was lurking around the corner…I’m beyond excited to share these photos as we pack up from the rehearsal space and make our way uptown to the great white way at our new home at the #wintergarten. Deliriously joyful, grateful and petrified all at the same time. Wouldn’t want to be standing beside anyone else but Sutton and this extraordinary cast and crew. Both a #throwbackthursday and the present!.”

On February 10, Jackman and Foster made their Broadway debut together as Harold Hill and Marian Paroo in The Music Man. The opening night show opened to great fanfare, with attendees including Blake Lively, Anne Hathaway, Donna Karan, and Andy Cohen, per Page Six.

On February 11, Foster posted an Instagram photo of her and Jackman from the musical’s red carpet premiere. She captioned the shot, “This man. An honor to be by your side. You. Are. The. BEST.”

On March 4, Foster appeared on the Today show. When asked how her experience performing with Jackman was, she said, “He’s extraordinary. As talented as he is, he’s even more great just as a human being. He’s generous, and he’s kind, and I just feel like the luckiest woman in the world.”

Shortly after, Jackman posted an Instagram photo for Foster’s birthday on March 18. In the caption, he wrote, “Happy birthday to a great friend and the best onstage partner in the world. @suttonlenore you make the world a better place. I’ve booked a table for 50 in River City tonight and the mayor is paying. @musicmanbway Photo credit: @j_cervantes.”

Jackman also got the audience to sing for Foster’s birthday during that evening’s performance. Foster posted an Instagram reel of that moment with the caption, “Hugh Jackman is an evil, horrible, WONDERFUL human. He had the entire audience sing to me last night.”

During a joint appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers on May 6, the pair shared anecdotes from their time working together on Broadway.

Foster revealed that she was initially intimidated by Jackman. Jackman admitted he was also nervous. He pointed out, “This is a six-time Tony nominee, two-time winner. Like I saw her [Sutton] do Thoroughly Modern Millie when you were like, four years old. But I’ve watched everything she’s done, it’s amazing.”

On May 10, Jackman posted an Instagram of him and Foster with the caption, “Marion and Harold 2.0.” In the photo, Jackman is seen wearing a suit and Foster wearing a white gown with a floral design.

Ten days later, Foster won the Distinguished Performance Award at the 2022 Drama League Awards. Jackman was also honored as a Special Recognition Honoree.

In an interview with Vogue on June 10, Foster spoke about her experience working with Jackman, calling him “one of [her] best friends.”

She added, “He has an impeccable reputation of being the hardest working man, incredibly kind, and generous—and all of that is true. He disarms everyone, and he doesn’t make anything about him.” Foster also mentioned that the two had “just spent Memorial Day with our families.”

On June 12, Jackman and Foster performed a segment from The Music Man live together at the 70th Annual Tony Awards.

In an appearance on Live with Kelly and Ryan, Foster spoke about the “carpet chats” that she and Jackman have before every Music Man performance.

“Hugh and I actually have, we call it ‘carpet chats’, but for some reason we hang out in my dressing room before every show and just catch up but somehow we end up—maybe because my dressing room is a mess—sitting on the carpet,” she said. “It’s such a wonderful thing, and we’ve become really good friends… It’s become one of the best parts of the whole thing is that I’ve made this wonderful new friend.”

The Music Man closed after an 11-month run at the Winter Garden Theatre. Foster shared an Instagram Reel reflecting on the experience, highlighting the special bond she formed with her co-stars.

Jackman and his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, announced their separation after 27 years of marriage. They released a joint statement to People that said, “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.”

Foster filed for divorce from her husband, Ted Griffin, People reported. The former couple was married for 10 years and share a daughter, Emily.

On January 4, Jackman was seen attending a Los Angeles performance of Once Upon a Mattress to support Foster. People reported that Jackman sat next to Carol Burnett, who was the first to play Foster’s role as Princess Winnifred when the show debuted in 1959.

Two days later, Jackman and Foster were photographed holding hands during a dinner outing in Santa Monica. Jackman wore dark jacket while Foster was in a brown trench coat and dark-green dress.