The curtain is going up on a new romance.
Sutton Foster and Hugh Jackman, whose chemistry in Broadway’s The Music Man captivated fans, confirmed their relationship months after romance rumors began swirling about the pair.
Sutton and Hugh stepped out hand-in-hand for a dinner date in Santa Monica, Calif., on Jan. 6, according to photos obtained by People. He was dressed casually in white trousers, a grey tee and black zip-up jacket, while she was dressed to impress in a green gown and camel coat.
Since 2023, the triple threats have both gone through major personal changes in their lives, with Hugh and his wife of almost 30 years Deborra-Lee Furness announcing their split in September 2023, while Sutton, 49, filed for divorce from her husband of 10 years Ted Griffin more than a year later in October.
In addition to their newly single statuses, much of the online speculation that Hugh and Sutton’s relationship had taken a turn for the romantic was the undeniable bond the two shared while working on the 2022 revival of The Music Man. In fact, leading up to the news of their relationship, many of their sweetest interview moments resurfaced.
Take, for instance, Sutton’s comments about the Wolverine actor as they took on The Music Man’s leading roles, Marian and Harold.
“He has an impeccable reputation of being the hardest working man, incredibly kind, and generous—and all of that is true,” Sutton, who shares 7-year-old daughter Emily with Ted, told Vogue in 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.’ But we just spent Memorial Day with our families. It’s really fun to meet new friends after 40.”
She also addressed their onstage chemistry—which sometimes appeared audience members as the actors breaking character.
“One of the things that our director said early on was when you’re watching two characters fall in love, you look for the moments where they make each other smile,” the Tony Award winner explained. “So it’s sort of birthed out of that, and it’s a spontaneous moment that’s different every single night. It toes that line of, is it Harold and Marian, or Hugh and Sutton?”
Hugh, meanwhile, has been candid about his longtime admiration for Sutton and her work.
As the 56-year-old gushed to Seth Meyers during his and Sutton’s joint appearance on Late Night in 2022, “I saw her do Thoroughly Modern Millie, when you were like 4 years old. I’ve watched everything she’s done. It’s amazing.”
Sutton—who was previously married to Christian Borle—and her estranged husband Ted have kept quiet on their split.
For Hugh and Deborra-Lee’s part, the pair announced their breakup in September 2023, noting their family—including kids Oscar, 24, and Ava, 19—remained a priority.
"We have been blessed to share almost 3 decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage," the pair told People in a Sept. 15 joint statement. "Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth."
And in May 2023, Deborra-Lee, 69, provided an update on how she was faring as a newly single woman.
"[I learned] that I'm strong and resilient," she told People at a New York screening of Force of Nature: The Dry 2. "And that I—we are all a constant evolution."
Read on for a closer look at Hugh's family life.
Instant Attraction
The Sydney-born actors first met in 1995 on the set of the Australian TV series Correlli.
Corelli's Most Wanted
After a few drinks one night, Hugh admitted to his costar that he was crushing on her—as was the rest of the crew.
True Love
To his pleasant surprise, Deborra returned the sentiment. Somehow, we are not surprised.
A Couple of Kids
The pair were all smiles in 1997, about a year after they tied the knot.
Can't Keep His Hands to Himself
The two embraced each other during a sweet moment.
Sweet Cheeks
Not long after their 10th wedding anniversary, the Australian stars were still hot for each other.
Hollywood Outing
Deborra and daughter Ava Eliot and son Oscar Maximillian supported Hugh at his handprint and footprint ceremony in Hollywood in 2009.
Family Moment
Deborra and her kids were proud to cheer Hugh on at the ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
New York Charity Event
The family posed with Vivica A. Fox at the 7th annual Istar Charity Shootout at NYC's Madison Square Garden in 2009.
Black Tie Preferred
The then-couple attended the EE British Academy Film Awards at The Royal Opera House in 2013.
The Night They MET
The classy couple were dressed to the nines at the 2014 Met Gala.
Lovely Family
The family enjoyed quality time at Disneyland.
Still Soaring
Deborra was Hugh's date at the Eddie the Eagle premiere in Sydney in 2016.