Broadway luminary Sutton Foster and acclaimed screenwriter Ted Griffin shared a nearly decade-long marriage, marked by their bond over a love for family and their adopted daughter, Emily. Their relationship, which began after a blind date in 2009, culminated in marriage in 2014 and ended with a divorce filing in October 2024. This split unfolded as Foster embarked on a new, highly publicized romance with her former Music Man costar, Hugh Jackman.
For fans of Broadway and film, the personal life of two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster has always held a special intrigue. While her career shines brightly on stage and screen, her decade-long marriage to screenwriter Ted Griffin offered a glimpse into her world beyond the spotlight. Their union, which recently concluded with a divorce filing in late 2024, set the stage for a new chapter in Foster’s life, involving her former costar Hugh Jackman.
Before her marriage to Griffin, Foster was married to her college sweetheart Christian Borle from 2006 to 2009. The end of that relationship paved the way for a blind date that would introduce her to Griffin, a partnership that would last almost ten years and bring a beloved daughter into her life.
Ted Griffin: A Glimpse into the Screenwriter’s Life
Ted Griffin carved out a successful career in Hollywood long before his marriage to Sutton Foster. A California native, born in Pasadena, Griffin honed his skills at Colgate University in New York, graduating in 1993. His expertise lies primarily in screenwriting, contributing to several memorable films.
Griffin’s impressive portfolio includes the 1999 horror thriller Ravenous, the star-studded 2001 heist film Ocean’s Eleven, and the 2003 crime comedy Matchstick Men. Beyond his writing credits, he has also collaborated with legendary director Martin Scorsese on projects such as 2010’s Public Speaking and Netflix’s 2021 series Pretend It’s a City. Griffin even made a cameo appearance as Agent Hughes in Scorsese’s 2013 film, The Wolf of Wall Street.
A Decade of Love: Sutton and Ted’s Journey
After their initial blind date, Sutton Foster and Ted Griffin quickly formed a connection, leading to their engagement and subsequent marriage in October 2014. Their private ceremony in Santa Barbara marked the beginning of a significant chapter in both their lives.
Their journey to the altar even offered a peek into their personal lives when Foster’s process of selecting her wedding dress was featured on TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress. She shared with People that the chosen gown made her “feel different” and confident, affirming it was the “right” choice for her.
Early in their marriage, Foster often spoke highly of Griffin’s intellect and shared interests. In 2015, she lauded his “very talented” career, telling Broadway.com that he was “the smartest guy I’ve ever known.” She enjoyed watching movies with him, as he introduced her to “classics” like Rear Window, contrasting with her preference for “silly” movies.
The couple was also known for their unique tradition of “can’t say no dates,” designed to keep their romance vibrant. Foster revealed to Us Weekly in 2019 that these surprise excursions, always gentle and fun, were a key part of their relationship. She fondly recalled one such date where Griffin planned a Latin jazz class, followed by live jazz music at Dizzy’s, and dinner at a new restaurant.
Perhaps one of the most endearing anecdotes about their early connection came from a 2019 Us Weekly interview where Foster shared the moment she knew Griffin was the one: “I knew I was going to marry my husband when he bought me a pair of sweatpants. I still wear them and will probably keep wearing them until they turn to dust.”
The Path to Parenthood: Adoption and Emily
A significant milestone in Sutton Foster and Ted Griffin’s marriage was their journey to parenthood. After facing years of fertility struggles and the disappointment of failed IVF rounds, the couple turned to adoption. Foster openly expressed that where IVF brought heartbreak, adoption “was so clearly what was meant to be for us.”
In April 2017, they joyfully welcomed their daughter, Emily Dale, into their lives. Foster announced the happy news to an audience at her Lincoln Center’s American Songbook performance, exclaiming, “Our lives are forever changed, and our hearts are exploding.”
Foster often reflected on the profound impact of motherhood, stating she didn’t truly understand “the concept of motherhood” until Griffin came into her life. She told People in 2018, “There was something about being with Ted that made me want kids. He belonged in my family.” A year after Emily’s arrival, she expressed how fascinated she was by her daughter, noting, “It doesn’t matter where she came from, my belly or someone else’s belly. When she was born, I was like, ‘What took me so long?’ and I realized I was waiting for her to come into my life.”
Navigating Life’s Changes: From Pandemic to Separation
The couple’s relationship continued to evolve, particularly as they navigated the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Foster noted to People that sheltering in place marked “the first time that we’ve all been together for this amount of concentrated time without one of us traveling or having to leave for work every day.” This period fostered deeper family connection, with their daughter Emily “really thriving” from having both parents present.
However, after nearly ten years of marriage, Sutton Foster filed for divorce from Ted Griffin in the New York County Supreme Court on October 22, 2024. The filing, obtained by People, came just days before what would have been their tenth wedding anniversary.
A New Chapter: The Connection with Hugh Jackman
Following the news of her divorce filing, Sutton Foster’s personal life took another turn with reports of a romance with her former Music Man costar, Hugh Jackman. A source confirmed to Us Weekly that Foster’s connection with Jackman developed before her marriage to Griffin ended, suggesting an “affair and overlap” that led to Jackman’s split from his wife, Deborra-lee Furness. The insider noted, “It was apparently Broadway’s worst-kept secret, and Deborra-lee was the last to know.”
Foster had previously spoken of her close friendship with Jackman, even mentioning to Vogue two years prior that their families spent Memorial Day together. On Live With Kelly and Ryan, she recalled a “wonderful ritual” they shared, simply talking and catching up on their day. “That’s been one of the best parts of the whole thing,” she added, “That I’ve made this wonderful new friend.”
The romance was publicly confirmed in January 2025 when Foster and Jackman were photographed holding hands on a date night in Santa Monica, California, just two days after Jackman was seen watching her star in Once Upon a Mattress. Nine months later, the couple made their official red carpet debut at the Hollywood premiere of Jackman’s film, Song Sung Blue.
A Look Back and Forward
Sutton Foster’s journey through marriage, motherhood, and new beginnings reflects the complex layers of public and private life. Her decade with Ted Griffin was clearly transformative, particularly in her embrace of motherhood. As she steps into a new chapter with Hugh Jackman, the narrative of her life continues to captivate audiences, highlighting her enduring appeal both on and off the stage.
