Hugh Jackman: Divorce, New Relationship, Health & LGBTQ Advocacy

Hugh Jackman’s personal life has undergone a complete reset since 2023. The Wolverine star’s separation, new romance, and ongoing health scares have reshaped his public image from family man to a man starting over in his late 50s.

Date of Birth: October 12, 1968 ·
Height: 6’2″ (1.88 m) ·
Net Worth: $180 million (est.) ·
Spouse: Deborra-Lee Furness (m. 1996; sep. 2023) ·
Known For: Wolverine in X-Men series ·
Health Issue: Basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer)

Eight key facts, one pattern: Jackman’s public life has undergone a complete reset since 2023.

Why did Hugh Jackman leave his ex-wife?

In September 2023, Jackman and Furness issued a joint statement announcing their separation after 27 years of marriage. The statement, reported by IMDb News (entertainment news outlet), cited a desire for “personal growth” and described the split as amicable. Both parties emphasized that no third party was involved, a point later reinforced by sources speaking to Us Weekly (celebrity news magazine).

Who did Hugh Jackman leave his wife for?

According to reports from Us Weekly, speculation about a romantic involvement with actress Sutton Foster emerged months after the separation announcement. The two had previously worked together on the Broadway production “The Music Man,” and sources told the outlet that their relationship intensified following the show’s run. Fox News (news network) reported that Jackman and Foster made their romance public at a red-carpet event in 2025, months after Jackman’s divorce was finalized.

Is Hugh Jackman’s ex-wife seeing anyone?

Reports about Furness’s dating life remain speculative. A Page Six (entertainment news via YouTube) report indicated she may have been seen with a new partner, but no confirmed details have emerged from the actress herself. The uncertainty around Furness’s relationship status reflects the broader privacy both parties have maintained since the split.

The implication: the divorce narrative remains controlled by the parties involved, with external speculation outpacing confirmed disclosures.

Are Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster together?

Entertainment outlets have consistently reported since early 2025 that Jackman and Foster are together. InStyle (fashion and lifestyle magazine) photographed them on a rare outing in New York City, framing the pair as a public couple. The relationship coverage intensified after Foster filed for divorce from her then-husband Ted Griffin, a move linked by sources to the romance rumors.

Who is Hugh Jackman’s new lady?

Sutton Foster is a Tony Award-winning actress and singer, best known for her Broadway roles in “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Anything Goes,” as well as her television work on “Younger.” She and Jackman met while starring together in the 2022 Broadway revival of “The Music Man.” Us Weekly reported that their professional collaboration developed into a personal relationship after both were separated from their respective spouses.

The pattern: a classic show-business romance born from creative partnership — but the timeline raises questions about overlap, which neither party has directly addressed.

What illness does Hugh Jackman have?

Jackman has been publicly dealing with basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer, since 2013. Moffitt Cancer Center (leading cancer research institution) reported that Jackman described clinicians noticing “little things that could be or could not be basal cell” during routine skin checks. People.com (celebrity news magazine) reported that Jackman has reflected on six bouts of skin cancer overall, with four lesions removed from his nose and one from his shoulder.

Does Hugh Jackman have skin cancer?

Yes — specifically basal cell carcinoma. Unlike melanoma, basal cell carcinoma grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but it requires consistent monitoring and treatment. OncoDaily (oncology news platform) explained that the condition typically appears on sun-exposed areas and is highly treatable when caught early. Jackman has used his experience to publicly advocate for sunscreen use and regular dermatology check-ups, urging fans to take skin health seriously.

The catch: Jackman’s advocacy is genuine — but his repeated diagnoses also underscore that prevention doesn’t guarantee immunity, especially for someone with his fair complexion and history of sun exposure.

Is Hugh Jackman pro LGBTQ?

Jackman is a consistent and vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights. He has performed in LGBTQ-themed productions, most notably playing gay singer-songwriter Peter Allen in the Broadway musical “The Boy from Oz,” a role that earned him a Tony Award in 2004. In a 2018 interview, he spoke out against discrimination, framing LGBTQ equality as a basic human rights issue. Entertainment coverage from Us Weekly has noted that speculation about his own sexuality has circulated online, but those claims remain conjecture rather than any confirmed disclosure from Jackman himself.

What are Hugh Jackman’s views on LGBTQ rights?

His advocacy extends beyond stage roles. Jackman has marched in pride parades, donated to LGBTQ organizations, and publicly opposed anti-LGBTQ legislation. His commitment predates his celebrity status — he has said that growing up in Australia, he saw friends struggle with acceptance, which shaped his views early on. Reddit discussions have linked his divorce to unverified sexual orientation rumors, but no credible reporting supports those claims.

Why this matters: Jackman’s LGBTQ advocacy is well-documented and substantive, but the persistent online speculation about his own identity creates a tension between his public support and the privacy he maintains about his personal life.

What are Hugh Jackman’s most famous movies?

Jackman’s career spans blockbuster franchises, award-winning dramas, and musicals. His breakout role came in 2000 when he was cast as Wolverine in “X-Men,” a character he played across nine films over 17 years, culminating in the critically acclaimed “Logan” (2017). He earned an Academy Award nomination for his role as Jean Valjean in “Les Misérables” (2012) and starred in the hit musical “The Greatest Showman” (2017).

How did Hugh Jackman get the role of Wolverine?

Jackman was relatively unknown when he was cast as Wolverine. He was a last-minute replacement for actor Dougray Scott, who had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts with “Mission: Impossible II.” Jackman auditioned and landed the role, which made him an international star. IMDb News notes that the casting was considered a risk at the time due to Jackman’s lack of Hollywood profile — but it became one of the most iconic superhero performances in film history.

The trade-off: Jackman’s Wolverine made his career, but it also typecast him for nearly two decades, making his musical and dramatic turns feel like deliberate acts of range-flexing.

Five films, one pattern: Jackman’s biggest commercial successes sit in two lanes — superhero spectacles and crowd-pleasing musicals, with the dramatic work in between earning him critical credibility.

Hugh Jackman: A timeline of key events

1. 1968: Born in Sydney, Australia
2. 1996: Marries Deborra-Lee Furness
3. 2000: First appears as Wolverine in “X-Men”
4. 2013: First diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma
5. 2017: Stars in “Logan” and “The Greatest Showman”
6. September 2023: Announces separation from Furness
7. June 2024: Divorce finalized
8. Early 2025: Reportedly in a relationship with Sutton Foster

The arc: from unknown actor to A-list star to a man rebuilding his personal life in late career — a story that continues to unfold.

“I feel incredibly grateful, humbled, and blessed to be where I am. I will do everything I can to continue to raise awareness and hopefully save lives.”

— Hugh Jackman, on his skin cancer advocacy (Moffitt Cancer Center)

“There’s a long way to go, but I think the world is moving in the right direction when it comes to acceptance and love for all people.”

— Hugh Jackman, on LGBTQ rights (Us Weekly)

“We are blessed to share our journey with such loving and caring children who have been our priority.”

— Deborra-Lee Furness, statement on separation (IMDb News)

The through-line across these quotes: Jackman frames personal challenges — health, marriage, identity — as opportunities for public advocacy rather than private retreat. For his audience, the takeaway is that celebrity vulnerability can drive real-world awareness, but at the cost of inevitably feeding the rumor mill.