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Sutton Foster – Tony Award-Winning Broadway Star and Actress

Noah Ryan Bennett • 2026-06-14 • Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

There’s something about a performer who can make an audience forget they’re watching a show — and Sutton Foster has been doing that for over two decades, from winning her first Tony in 2002 to sharing the stage with Hugh Jackman in The Music Man. But as her career keeps climbing, her personal life has stepped into the spotlight too, with questions about her family and rumored romance making headlines.

Born: March 18, 1975 ·
Tony Awards: 2 ·
Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) ·
Children: 1 (daughter) ·
Spouse: Ted Griffin (div. 2021) ·
Notable Broadway Show: Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • 2002: First Tony win (Britannica)
  • 2022–2023: Co-starred with Hugh Jackman in The Music Man (Britannica)
  • January 2025: Hand-holding photos emerged (ELLE)
  • October 2025: Confirmed relationship with Hugh Jackman (ELLE)
4What’s next
  • Hosts Leading Women retreat at Canyon Ranch in 2026 (Britannica)

Seven key facts, one pattern: a career built on stage that now draws as much attention off it.

Field Value
Full name Sutton Lenore Foster
Date of birth March 18, 1975
Birthplace Statesboro, Georgia, USA
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Tony Awards 2 (Best Actress in a Musical)
Children 1 daughter (Emily)
Ex-spouse Ted Griffin (m. 2014; div. 2021)

What this means: Foster’s biography is well-documented except for the personal details that draw the most curiosity — a split between public record and private life.

Why is Sutton Foster so famous?

Broadway career

  • Won her first Tony in 2002 as the lead in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Britannica)
  • Second Tony in 2011 for Anything Goes (Britannica)
  • Starred in the Broadway revival of The Music Man opposite Hugh Jackman (2022–23) (Britannica)

The implication: two Tony wins by age 36 put Foster in rare company — fewer than 40 women have won multiple Best Actress Tony Awards.

Television roles

  • Played Liza Miller in the TV series Younger (2015–2021) (Britannica)
  • Starred in the short-lived series Bunheads (2012–2013) (Britannica)

The pattern: Foster used her stage credibility to build a TV audience, expanding beyond theater fans into mainstream pop culture.

Awards and recognition

  • Won Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for Thoroughly Modern Millie (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
  • Published the memoir Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life in 2021 (Britannica)

The trade-off: Foster’s fame rests on stage achievements, but her television work and memoir have introduced her to audiences who never saw her on Broadway.

The upshot

Foster is a two-time Tony winner with a solid theater legacy, yet the tabloid narrative around her personal life now rivals her professional recognition — a paradox for an artist who built her reputation on craft.

How many children does Sutton Foster have?

Daughter Emily

  • Foster has one daughter, Emily, adopted with her ex-husband Ted Griffin (ELLE)

Adoption story

  • Foster announced the adoption in 2017 (Legit.ng)

The catch: Foster has shared little about the adoption process or Emily’s age, keeping her child’s life private despite public curiosity.

Who has custody of Sutton Foster’s daughter?

Divorce from Ted Griffin

  • Foster and screenwriter Ted Griffin married in 2014, separated in 2020, and divorced in 2021 (ELLE)

Current custody arrangements

  • Custody details have not been made public (Legit.ng)

Why this matters: Without official statements, custody remains speculation — and that silence is typical for celebrities protecting a child’s privacy.

Is Hugh Jackman in love with Sutton Foster?

Confirmed relationship

  • Foster and Jackman were photographed holding hands in Santa Monica on January 6, 2025 (ELLE)
  • Reports suggest the pair have been close friends since 2003 (Legit.ng)
  • In October 2025, Foster and Jackman confirmed their relationship with a public red-carpet appearance (ELLE)

Timeline of confirmation

  • Jackman announced his separation from Deborra-Lee Furness in 2023 after 27 years (ELLE)
  • Neither Foster nor Jackman publicly commented on the relationship until the October 2025 event (ELLE)

The implication: The relationship is now verified, shifting the narrative from rumor to fact.

What to note

The confirmation in October 2025 ended months of speculation and placed Foster and Jackman as a confirmed couple in the public eye.

Who is Sutton Foster’s husband?

Ted Griffin (2014-2021)

  • Foster married screenwriter Ted Griffin in 2014 (ELLE)
  • The couple divorced in 2021 (ELLE)
  • Prior to Griffin, Foster was married to actor Christian Borle from 2006 to 2009 (Wikipedia)

Current relationship status

  • Foster is not publicly known to be married currently (Britannica)

The trade-off: Foster’s marital history is documented, but her current romantic life remains private — a contrast with the intense media interest in her and Jackman.

Timeline

  • 1975: Born on March 18 in Statesboro, Georgia (Britannica)
  • 2002: Won first Tony Award for Thoroughly Modern Millie (Britannica)
  • 2011: Won second Tony for Anything Goes (Britannica)
  • 2014: Married Ted Griffin (ELLE)
  • 2020: Announced separation from Griffin (ELLE)
  • 2021: Divorce finalized (ELLE)
  • 2022–2023: Starred in The Music Man with Hugh Jackman (Britannica)
  • January 2025: Hand-holding photos with Jackman surface (ELLE)
  • October 2025: Confirmed relationship with Jackman at red-carpet event (ELLE)
  • 2026: Leading Women retreat at Canyon Ranch (Britannica)

The pattern: The timeline shows a clear line from stage success to personal milestones — and a recent shift into tabloid attention.

Confirmed facts

  • Born March 18, 1975 (Britannica)
  • Two-time Tony Award winner (Britannica)
  • Has one daughter, Emily (ELLE)
  • Divorced Ted Griffin (ELLE)
  • Co-starred with Hugh Jackman in The Music Man (Britannica)
  • Confirmed relationship with Hugh Jackman in October 2025 (ELLE)

What’s unclear

  • Custody arrangements for Emily (Legit.ng)

Foster is an American actress and singer known primarily for musical theater — and her two Tony wins for lead roles in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Anything Goes place her among the most decorated performers of her generation.

— Britannica (reference resource)

The hand-holding photos in Santa Monica fueled public dating rumors, but the couple later confirmed their relationship at a red-carpet event in October 2025.

ELLE (celebrity news)

The upshot for fans and followers: Sutton Foster’s career is factually rich and well-documented, while her personal life — especially the chapter involving Hugh Jackman — has now been confirmed. For readers seeking clear answers, the confirmed facts provide a base, but custody arrangements remain unresolved. For theater enthusiasts, Foster’s legacy is secure regardless of tabloid headlines.

Additional sources

facebook.com, instagram.com, facebook.com

For a comprehensive look at her work beyond the stage, fans can explore her full screen credits, detailing everything from guest appearances to leading roles.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sutton Foster’s net worth?

Estimated at $8 million according to various celebrity wealth trackers, though no official disclosure exists.

What TV shows has Sutton Foster appeared in?

She starred in Younger (2015–2021) and Bunheads (2012–2013), and made guest appearances on several series.

Is Sutton Foster related to Sutton Stracke?

No. They share a first name but are not related. Sutton Stracke is a reality TV personality from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

What is Sutton Foster’s Instagram handle?

Her official Instagram is @suttonlenore.

Does Sutton Foster have any siblings?

Yes, she has an older brother named Hunter Foster, who is also a Broadway performer.

What is Sutton Foster’s vocal range?

She is a mezzo-soprano with a belt that extends to a high C, noted for her power and clarity.

How did Sutton Foster start her career?

She began performing as a child in community theater, attended Carnegie Mellon University, and made her Broadway debut in the ensemble of Les Misérables in 1995.

What is the Leading Women retreat?

An event Foster hosts at Canyon Ranch, focused on empowering women through workshops and connection. She announced the 2026 retreat through her website.



Noah Ryan Bennett

About the author

Noah Ryan Bennett

Coverage is updated through the day with transparent source checks.