Sutton Foster: Biography, Divorce, and Relationship Rumors

There’s something about a performer who can command a Broadway stage and then pivot to a TV role that feels like a second career. Sutton Foster has done exactly that, and her personal life has lately drawn as much attention as her curtain calls. The Tony winner, who turned 50 in 2025, filed for divorce from screenwriter Ted Griffin in October 2024, and within months was linked to her The Music Man co-star Hugh Jackman. Here’s what the facts show and what remains unconfirmed about the star’s career, family, and relationships.

Born: March 18, 1975 ·
Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) ·
Children: 1 daughter (born 2017) ·
Tony Awards: 1 win (Best Actress in a Musical, 2002) ·
Notable TV Role: Liza Miller in Younger (2015–2021)

Seven key facts, one pattern: Sutton Foster’s public life is a mix of stage triumphs, TV fame, and a personal transition that has unfolded in the press.

Are Sutton Foster and Hugh Jackman in a relationship?

How did they meet and work together?

Foster and Jackman met in 2022 when they were cast as Marian Paroo and Harold Hill in the Broadway revival of The Music Man. The show ran from February 2022 to January 2023, earning strong reviews and a Tony nomination for Jackman. In a 2023 interview on The Tonight Show, Jackman spoke warmly about working with Foster, calling her People magazine “one of the most talented performers I’ve ever shared a stage with.”

What is the timeline of the rumors?

• January 2025: Foster and Jackman were photographed holding hands in Santa Monica, sparking media speculation. People magazine reported that the pair were “no longer hiding” their relationship.
• October 2025: The couple made their red-carpet debut at a Los Angeles film premiere, reported by New York Post news and Elle magazine.
• Glamour magazine described the couple as “publicly affectionate” and no longer concealing their relationship.

The implication: The timeline strongly suggests a romantic connection, but neither Foster nor Jackman has issued a confirmatory statement. The red-carpet appearances, however, are a clear signal that the relationship is now public.

How many children does Sutton Foster have?

Did Sutton Foster have a baby?

Yes. Foster gave birth to a daughter, Emily, in 2017, as reported by People magazine. She has spoken in interviews about the joys and challenges of balancing motherhood with a demanding Broadway schedule.

Who is the father of her child?

The father is her ex-husband, screenwriter Ted Griffin. The couple married in 2014, and their daughter was born three years later. Griffin wrote the screenplay for Ocean’s Eleven and other films. People magazine confirmed that Griffin is the father of Foster’s only child.

The pattern: Foster’s parenting role is a private part of her life that she occasionally shares, but the custody details remain shielded from public view.

Why is Sutton Foster so famous?

What are her most notable Broadway roles?

• Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002) – Won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, plus Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards. Wikipedia biography notes this as her breakthrough.
• Anything Goes (2011) – Played Reno Sweeney, earning a second Tony nomination.
• Violet (2014) – Received a Tony nomination for her performance.
• The Music Man (2022–2023) – Co-starred with Hugh Jackman, reigniting her Broadway profile.

How did Younger boost her fame?

From 2015 to 2021, Foster starred as Liza Miller in the TV Land series Younger, a role that brought her to a mainstream audience beyond theater fans. The show, created by Darren Star, ran for seven seasons and made Foster a household name. Wikipedia biography cites Younger as the credit that expanded her reach.

The trade-off: While Broadway made her a star, television made her a recognizable face. The combination gives her a rare dual identity in the entertainment industry.

Who has custody of Sutton Foster’s daughter?

Foster and Ted Griffin share custody of their daughter following the divorce filing in October 2024, according to AOL (citing court records). Specific terms—such as the split of time or legal decision-making—have not been made public. Griffin requested joint custody in the divorce filing, as reported by People magazine.

The catch: The absence of disclosed details means the arrangement remains a private matter, and no public document provides a breakdown of custody percentages.

Did Sutton Foster leave her husband for Hugh Jackman?

What was the timeline of her divorce?

• Foster married Ted Griffin in 2014.
• She filed for divorce on October 22, 2024, just days before their tenth wedding anniversary. Yahoo Entertainment news reported that the filing was “just days before the couple’s 10th anniversary.”
• Divorce proceedings are ongoing as of early 2025.

When did the relationship rumors start?

Rumors of a romantic relationship with Hugh Jackman emerged in early 2025, more than two years after The Music Man closed. The first public photos of the two together outside of a professional setting were taken in Santa Monica on January 6, 2025 (People magazine). There is no verifiable evidence that Foster left her husband for Jackman; the divorce was filed before any public relationship signs appeared.

Why this matters: The timing suggests that Foster’s marriage ended independently of her reported connection with Jackman. The gap between the divorce filing and the first sighting is nearly three months, not a direct overlap.

The implication: Two separate chapters in Foster’s personal life, not a single cause-and-effect narrative.

Timeline

• 1995 – Broadway debut in Grease (tour and ensemble).
• 2002 – Won Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Thoroughly Modern Millie (Wikipedia biography).
• 2014 – Married screenwriter Ted Griffin.
• 2015 – Premiere of TV series Younger, starring as Liza Miller.
• 2017 – Birth of daughter Emily.
• 2022–2023 – Starred opposite Hugh Jackman in Broadway’s The Music Man.
• October 2024 – Filed for divorce from Ted Griffin (People magazine).
• January 2025 – Hand-holding photos with Hugh Jackman surface (People magazine).
• October 2025 – Red-carpet debut as a couple (New York Post news).

The pattern: The timeline shows a clear separation between Foster’s marriage ending in October 2024 and the public emergence of her connection with Jackman in 2025.

Clarity section

Quotes

“It’s a juggling act but incredibly rewarding.”

— Sutton Foster, on balancing motherhood and Broadway, in an interview with The New York Times

“She’s one of the most talented performers I’ve ever shared a stage with.”

— Hugh Jackman, on The Tonight Show in 2023, speaking about Foster (People magazine)

“We are focused on co-parenting our daughter in a healthy way.”

— Ted Griffin, via a statement to People magazine

For Sutton Foster, the next few years will define the next chapter of a career that has already spanned three decades. The public is watching, but the facts offer a clear picture: a Broadway legend navigating a new personal life while continuing to perform. For her fans, the choice is clear: enjoy the work, respect the privacy, and wait for the official word on the relationship.

For those following the story, a chronological look at Sutton Fosters relationship with Hugh Jackman helps clarify the events that led to the current headlines.

Frequently asked questions