Sutton Foster and Ted Griffin: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes

Sutton Foster and Ted Griffin: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes

Ten years is a lifetime in Hollywood. For a decade, Sutton Foster and Ted Griffin seemed like the blueprint for a grounded, bi-coastal power couple that actually worked. He was the brains behind Ocean’s Eleven and Terriers, a screenwriter with a penchant for sharp dialogue. She was—and is—the undisputed queen of Broadway, a two-time Tony winner who made the jump to TV stardom in Younger. They had the "it" factor, but without the exhausting "look at us" energy.

Then, everything changed.

In October 2024, just days before they would have hit their 10th wedding anniversary, Sutton Foster filed for an uncontested divorce in the New York County Supreme Court. To the casual observer, it felt abrupt. To those following the Broadway rumor mill, it felt like the second shoe finally dropping.

The Blind Date That Changed Everything

Honestly, the way Sutton Foster and Ted Griffin met sounds like a plot from one of his scripts. They were set up on a blind date in 2013. At the time, Sutton had already been through a high-profile Broadway marriage to Christian Borle, which ended in 2009. She wasn't necessarily looking for a whirlwind, but Griffin was different. He was a California native, low-key, and deeply respected in the industry.

They got engaged in August 2013 and tied the knot in October 2014 during an intimate ceremony in Santa Barbara. It wasn’t a massive, televised spectacle. It was private. That was their vibe.

For years, Sutton was incredibly vocal about how Ted shifted her perspective on life. She told People back in 2018 that she didn't really "get" the concept of motherhood until he came along. He made her want a family. That’s a heavy thing to say about someone. It makes the eventual split feel that much more complicated.

Adoption, Fertility, and Building a Life

If you want to understand the bond between Sutton Foster and Ted Griffin, you have to look at their journey to parenthood. It wasn't easy. Like so many couples, they went through the wringer with IVF. It was a cycle of hope and heartbreak that Sutton eventually described as "devastating."

They pivoted to adoption. In 2017, they welcomed their daughter, Emily Dale Griffin.

"Where IVF was full of disappointment and heartbreak, adoption was so clearly what was meant to be for us," Sutton shared at the time.

For a long time, they were the picture of domestic bliss. They bought a gorgeous Gilded Age estate in Tuxedo Park, New York, in 2021 for $1.6 million. They had the Manhattan life, the quiet upstate retreat, and a young daughter. But by May 2024, they sold that dream home for $2 million. In hindsight, that was the flashing red light. You don't usually offload the family estate unless the foundation of the family itself is shifting.

The "Music Man" of it All

You can't talk about Sutton Foster and Ted Griffin without mentioning the 700-pound gorilla in the room: Hugh Jackman.

Rumors started swirling as early as 2022. Sutton and Hugh were starring in the massive Broadway revival of The Music Man. Their chemistry wasn't just good; it was electric. Every night, they were on stage together, and every night, the industry insiders whispered.

At first, it just seemed like a "showmance" or a deep platonic friendship. Hugh had been married to Deborra-Lee Furness for 27 years. Sutton was, by all accounts, happily married to Ted. But then Hugh and Deborra-Lee announced their split in September 2023. A year later, Sutton filed for divorce from Ted.

It's been a messy timeline. While "sources" told Page Six that Sutton and Hugh were "100 percent together" long before the paperwork was filed, the couple kept things subterranean for a while. They wanted to be respectful. They were navigating kids and exes and a decade of shared history.

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Where Things Stand in 2026

As of January 2026, the dust has somewhat settled, though the transition hasn't been without its tabloid fodder. Sutton and Hugh Jackman finally went "red carpet official" in late 2025 at the premiere of his movie Song Sung Blue. They’ve been spotted holding hands in Santa Monica and even taking a romantic New Year’s dip in Costa Rica.

But what about Ted?

Ted Griffin has remained characteristically quiet. He’s never been one for the paparazzi. He and Sutton are reportedly co-parenting Emily, which remains their top priority. The divorce was uncontested, which usually suggests that the financial and custodial details were hammered out behind closed doors to avoid a public bloodbath.

It’s easy to paint these stories in black and white—the "betrayed" husband or the "drifting" wife—but reality is usually a lot of shades of gray. People grow apart. Sometimes a new connection highlights the cracks that were already there.

Lessons From a High-Profile Split

Watching the Sutton Foster and Ted Griffin story unfold offers some pretty raw insights into how relationships evolve—or dissolve—under the spotlight.

  • The "Home" Indicator: In celebrity real estate, selling the "forever home" is almost always a precursor to a legal filing. If the house goes, the marriage is usually next.
  • Co-Parenting is the Goal: Despite the whirlwind romance with Jackman, Foster and Griffin have kept the focus on their daughter. This is the "new normal" for modern celebrity divorces.
  • Timing is Everything: The overlap between Foster's Broadway run and her marital troubles isn't a coincidence. High-intensity projects often act as a catalyst for personal change.

If you’re following this story, the best thing to do is keep an eye on the official court filings in New York for the finalization of the divorce decree. While the romance with Jackman is the headline, the legal dissolution of a ten-year marriage is a slow process. For now, it seems both parties are focused on moving forward—one on the red carpet, and the other, presumably, behind the scenes where he’s always been most comfortable.

Next Steps for You

  • Check Local Listings: If you're a fan of Sutton, she's still incredibly active in the theater scene; look for her upcoming concert dates where she often shares personal anecdotes.
  • Follow the Credits: Watch for Ted Griffin's upcoming screenwriting projects; his work often reflects the complexities of human relationships and sharp, witty dialogue.
  • Stay Updated on Legalities: Monitor reputable entertainment news outlets like The Hollywood Reporter for the official notice of their divorce finalization, which will likely settle lingering questions about their shared assets.