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Sparks allegedly flew between actors Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster when they started working on their Broadway hit, The Music Man. Foster filed for divorce from her husband, Ocean’s Eleven screenwriter Ted Griffin, on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, after speculation of a romance between her and Jackman. Here’s what an insider said of Jackman and Foster’s budding romance, including how Jackman “followed” Foster around “like a puppy” while working on their musical.

Sutton Foster and Hugh Jackman are ‘inseparable,’ says a source

Sutton Foster and Hugh Jackman are allegedly completely in love and ready to spend their lives together. The Younger star filed for divorce from Ted Griffin in October 2024. They tied the knot in Santa Barbara, California, in October 2014 and have an adopted daughter together.

“They are 100% together and are in love and want to spend the rest of their lives together,” a source told Page Six of Foster and Jackman.

Romance rumors started heating up between the two stars in December 2023, nearly a year after they stopped working together. They worked on The Music Man from December 2021 until January 2023. A source initially told In Touch Weekly that Foster and Jackman’s romance was considered “an open secret on Broadway” at the time, though Foster remained married. The source added that Foster feels “absolutely giddy” around Jackman.

Another source spoke on the romance to In Touch Weekly in October 2024. “[Foster and Jackman] have been inseparable,” the source said. “Everyone in the theater world has seen the chemistry between them. It was only a matter of time before the truth came out.” While “no one” saw the romance “coming,” it’s now “only a matter of time” before the couple confirms their relationship.

The source added that Jackman feels “besotted with Sutton” and “followed her around like a puppy.” He treated her like “she was the star,” which “moved” her. “He insisted that they shared equal billing above the title of the show,” the source dished.

Sutton Foster connected with her ‘Music Man’ co-star on adoption

Sutton Foster and Hugh Jackman smiling together in 2008 against a dark background.
Actors Sutton Foster and Hugh Jackman pose backstage at ‘Shrek’ on Broadway in 2008 | Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

Sutton Foster and Ted Griffin met on a blind date in 2014. She’s said in interviews how she’s always been career-driven, but when she met Griffin, she found herself wanting a family of her own.

“There was something about being with Ted that made me want kids,” she told People in 2018. “He belonged in my family. I didn’t really understand the concept of motherhood until he came around.”

Foster opened up about her fertility struggles, noting it was “so hard” not to get pregnant. After several failed rounds of IVF, she and Griffin pursued adoption. “Where IVF was full of disappointment and heartbreak, adoption was so clearly what was meant to be for us,” she said.

Foster noted that she connected with Hugh Jackman on adoption. Jackman adopted two kids with his ex-wife, Deborra-Lee Furness.

“My co-star in Music Man, Hugh Jackman, has two adopted children as well, so we talk about it a ton,” she told People. “And then what’s amazing with adoption is that once you join the club of adoption, you meet people every day. You just immediately begin to start making these connections because you know that the road will be need to be navigated.”

The Broadway stars raved about working with each other

Sutton Foster and Hugh Jackman raved about each other when appearing on Late Night With Seth Meyers in 2022.

“The show is so joyful, and I’m having the time of my life playing opposite this guy,” Foster said on the late-night show. “It’s a dream come true.”

The Broadway stars noted how they both felt intimidated to work with each other. Foster commented how she was worried that Jackman’s star power might cause her to get fired from the show.

“I was certainly intimidated,” Jackman added. “This is a six-time Tony nominee, two-time winner. … I’ve watched everything she’s done. It’s amazing.”

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