Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster want to marry but his kids reportedly don’t support it

Hugh Jackman may be enjoying one of the happiest chapters of his romantic life, but it is also proving to be one of the most delicate. The 57-year-old Australian star is said to be ready to take a major step in his relationship with Sutton Foster, the acclaimed Broadway performer he has been linked to for about a year.

After making their red-carpet debut as a couple on October 26 at the premiere of ‘Song Sung Blue’ during the AFI Fest in Los Angeles, the actors are reportedly considering marriage, according to several outlets.

However, there may be obstacles standing in the way. The most significant, according to reports, is the hesitation of Jackman’s children with his ex-wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, Oscar Maximilian, 26, and Ava Eliot, 21, who are said to be uncomfortable with the idea of their father marrying again. 

A source claims the two remain “firmly loyal” to their mother and are not ready to support a new union, describing them as deeply protective of her and noting that Jackman wants to respect those feelings.

© Taylor Hill

Known for being deeply devoted to his family, the actor, famous for playing Wolverine in the X-Men film franchise, does not want his children to feel pressured to accept a situation they may not yet be ready for. 

For Jackman, their comfort and well-being remain the priority, even if that means putting his personal hopes on hold. So far, neither he nor Foster has publicly addressed the reports.

© Grosby Group

Another factor complicating matters is Foster’s own personal transition. The actress ended her marriage in October 2024 to screenwriter and producer Ted Griffin, known for films such as Ocean’s Eleven. 

According to several outlets, that divorce has not yet been fully finalized. Jackman, for his part, ended his marriage to Furness in 2023, a separation that marked one of the most painful chapters in the couple’s lives. 

© Getty

After 27 years together and two children, they announced their split in September of that year in a joint statement emphasizing that, despite the breakup, their family would remain their top priority. 

They reflected on nearly three decades together with gratitude and expressed their commitment to moving forward with kindness and mutual respect.

A love story that began on the Broadway stage:

Jackman and Foster’s relationship began far from the typical Hollywood setting. Instead of meeting on a film set or at an industry event, their story started on Broadway.

The two starred together in the revival of the classic musical ‘The Music Man,’ which opened in February 2022 at New York’s Winter Garden Theatre. 

© Getty

Jackman played the charming Harold Hill, while Foster portrayed Marian Paroo. Their onstage chemistry quickly caught attention. During more than a year of performances, their closeness became increasingly apparent. 

Jackman described Foster as an exceptional talent and friend, while she later characterized him in an interview as incredibly hardworking, kind, and generous. 

© Getty

That mutual admiration laid the foundation for a friendship that, after both actors went through separations of their own, gradually deepened into something more. 

Their romance became public in early 2025. Still, Jackman now finds himself facing a personal dilemma. While he is reportedly eager to move toward a formal commitment with Foster, he does not want to take that step without the support of his children. For now, the couple appears content to continue their relationship at a measured pace, allowing time and family to guide what comes next.