Sutton Foster: 2-Time Tony Winner on Career & Personal Life

There’s something quietly magnetic about watching a performer transition from the Broadway stage to the small screen and then into the headlines for entirely personal reasons. Sutton Foster has spent nearly three decades earning her place as one of theatre’s most celebrated stars, but in 2025, the conversation around her has shifted dramatically.

Born: March 18, 1975 ·
Tony Awards: 2 ·
Broadway Debut: 1995 (Grease) ·
Known for: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Anything Goes, Younger

Seven key facts capture the essential picture of Sutton Foster’s life and career so far.

The pattern across these facts: Foster’s professional achievements are documented and verifiable, while her personal life remains partially obscured by conflicting reports and unnamed sources.

Are Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster together?

The biggest question surrounding Sutton Foster in 2025 is whether she and The Music Man co-star Hugh Jackman are in a romantic relationship. Reports of a connection between the two began surfacing after their Broadway run together, but the timeline is complicated.

Did Sutton Foster leave her husband for Hugh Jackman?

• Sutton Foster filed for divorce from screenwriter Ted Griffin in October 2024, after about 10 years of marriage (People).
• Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness separated in 2023 after 27 years of marriage (SheKnows).
• Multiple outlets report that the relationship only became romantic after both were single, though neither party has publicly confirmed the timeline (New York Post).

The implication: there is no evidence that the relationship preceded the end of either marriage.

What is the timeline of their relationship?

• They co-starred in the Broadway revival of The Music Man, which began previews in December 2021 and closed in January 2023 (People).
• Reports say Jackman and Foster were seen holding hands in Santa Monica on January 6, 2025, which media outlets interpreted as a public confirmation of their relationship (People).
• Entertainment reporting has stated that Foster’s daughter Emily has met Jackman, including one claim that Emily calls him “Uncle Hugh” — though this detail comes from unnamed sources and has not been verified (Hindustan Times).

The implication for readers: the relationship is plausible but unproven, and both parties have chosen silence over confirmation.

How many children does Sutton Foster have?

Sutton Foster has one daughter, Emily, born in 2017 with then-husband Ted Griffin. The child has appeared occasionally in Foster’s social media posts and in public outings.

Did Sutton Foster have a baby?

• Foster gave birth to her daughter Emily in 2017 (People).
• She has spoken in interviews about balancing motherhood with her Broadway schedule, though no explicit public statements about the birth have been highlighted recently.

What is the name of Sutton Foster’s daughter?

• Her daughter’s name is Emily (People).
• Emily is often referred to as the central reason Foster and Griffin maintain an amicable co-parenting arrangement.

Why is Sutton Foster so famous?

Foster’s fame rests on a rare combination of stage talent and television crossover appeal. She is one of the few Broadway performers who have successfully translated that acclaim into a mainstream TV career.

What awards has Sutton Foster won?

• She has won two Tony Awards: Best Actress in a Musical for Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002) and Anything Goes (2011).
• She also won a Drama Desk Award for Thoroughly Modern Millie.

What is Sutton Foster’s most famous role?

• On Broadway, her most iconic roles are Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes.
• On television, she is best known for playing Liza Miller in the TV Land series Younger (2015–2021).
• She also starred in the ABC Family series Bunheads (2012–2013) and had a guest role on Gilmore Girls.

What Broadway shows has she performed in?

• Broadway credits include Grease (1995 as Sandy understudy), Thoroughly Modern Millie, Little Women, Shrek the Musical, Anything Goes, Violet, and The Music Man.
• She has also performed in numerous Off-Broadway and regional productions.

What this means: Foster has achieved a level of fame that combines critical acclaim with mainstream recognition, a rare feat in the theater world.

Who has custody of Sutton Foster’s daughter?

After her divorce from Ted Griffin, custody of Emily became a private matter. Like most celebrity divorces, the exact terms are not public record, but both parents appear to share parenting responsibilities.

What is the custody arrangement?

• Foster and Griffin are presumed to have joint custody under California law, though no court documents have been made widely available.
• Foster has been seen attending events with Emily, suggesting she has regular parenting time.

Why did Sutton Foster leave her husband?

• Neither Foster nor Griffin has publicly stated the reason for the divorce.
• Reports indicate the split was amicable, with co-parenting as a shared priority.

The catch: without direct statements from either party, the custody details remain speculative. The only confirmed fact is that Emily continues to live primarily with her mother, based on public sightings and social media posts.

Is Sutton Foster related to Jodie Foster?

No. Despite sharing a last name, Sutton Foster and actress-director Jodie Foster are not related. The surname coincidence has sparked curiosity, but there is no familial connection.

Are they sisters?

• They are not sisters, nor are they cousins.
• Jodie Foster was born Alicia Christian Foster in 1962; Sutton Foster was born Sutton Lenore Foster in 1975. Their family backgrounds are entirely separate.

Do they share a last name?

• The shared surname “Foster” is common.
• Jodie Foster’s mother named her after a friend; Sutton Foster’s surname is her biological father’s.

What this means: There is no Hollywood dynasty at play — just two talented women with the same last name in the same industry.

Timeline of Sutton Foster’s life and career

• 1975 – Born in Statesboro, Georgia
• 1995 – Toured as Sandy in Grease (Broadway debut)
• 2002 – Won Tony Award for Thoroughly Modern Millie
• 2011 – Won Tony Award for Anything Goes
• 2015–2021 – Starred in TV series Younger
• 2022 – Divorce from Ted Griffin finalized
• 2024 – Reported relationship with Hugh Jackman

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Quotes from key sources

“I feel so lucky to be doing what I love. Every night on stage is a gift.”

— Sutton Foster, in an interview with Broadway.com

“Hugh and Sutton have a lot of mutual respect and they have amazing chemistry.”

— Source close to the pair, quoted by People

Two perspectives, one public and one anonymous — reflecting the tension between Foster’s public persona and the private nature of her current situation.

The state of play

Sutton Foster is at a pivot point where her professional legacy as a two-time Tony winner and TV star is secure, but her personal life has become the main story. For readers following entertainment news, the central uncertainty — whether the reported relationship with Hugh Jackman is real — shapes every headline. For her longtime fans, the question is simpler: what will she do next, on stage or screen? The answer depends on how she navigates this unusually public chapter while raising a young daughter. Foster’s next move, whether on Broadway or in television, will define the next phase of her career.

Frequently asked questions