Honestly, the Broadway world hasn't stopped buzzing since the news broke. For a decade, Sutton Foster and Ted Griffin were the ultimate "low-key" power couple. You had the two-time Tony winner and the brilliant screenwriter behind Ocean's Eleven living this seemingly grounded, artistic life in New York. Then, in late 2024, the legal papers hit the New York County Supreme Court.
Sutton filed for an uncontested divorce on October 22, 2024.
It felt like it came out of nowhere, but if you look at the timeline, the cracks were maybe starting to show long before the headlines. People often assume celebrity splits are all about explosive drama or some "Aha!" moment. With Sutton and Ted, it feels more like two people whose lives shifted in different directions after ten years of navigating the highest highs of show business together.
The Ted Griffin Story: More Than Just a "Plus One"
To understand why this split hit fans so hard, you have to realize who Ted Griffin actually is. He isn’t just some guy on a red carpet. He’s a heavyweight in Hollywood. Born in Pasadena, California, Ted comes from a family with deep industry roots—his grandparents were director William A. Seiter and actress Marian Nixon.
Basically, the man has storytelling in his DNA.
He’s the guy who wrote the screenplay for Ocean's Eleven (2001). Think about that. The sharp, witty, rhythmic dialogue of that movie? That’s Ted. He also worked on Matchstick Men, Ravenous, and even had a hand in producing The Wolf of Wall Street. He’s known for being incredibly sharp—Sutton once called him the "smartest guy" she’d ever known.
How They Met
They didn't meet at a glitzy premiere. It was a blind date. Can you imagine? Two people at the top of their respective fields sitting down for a coffee or a drink, just trying to see if there's a spark. They hit it off, got engaged in 2013, and tied the knot in Santa Barbara in October 2014.
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For Sutton, who had already been through a marriage to fellow Broadway star Christian Borle, Ted represented something different. He wasn't a song-and-dance man. He was a writer, a thinker. He was the person who finally made her "get" the idea of starting a family.
Why Ted Griffin and Sutton Foster Tapped Into Adoption
The heart of their marriage was undoubtedly their daughter, Emily Dale Griffin.
Their journey to parenthood wasn't easy. Sutton has been incredibly open about the "heartbreak and disappointment" of failed IVF rounds. It’s a struggle many couples know all too well. Eventually, they turned to adoption, and in March 2017, Emily arrived.
Sutton famously described the experience as if Emily were "cannonballing" toward them. It changed their household completely. They moved into a beautiful Gilded Age home, focused on "family dinners," and for a few years, they were the blueprint for a healthy, private Hollywood family.
The Shift in Dynamics
So, what changed? In 2026, we’re looking back at a couple of years where Sutton’s career went into overdrive again. Between the massive success of her show Younger and her return to Broadway in The Music Man, her professional life was consuming.
The Hugh Jackman Factor
We can't talk about Sutton Foster's husband Ted Griffin—well, ex-husband—without mentioning the elephant in the room. Or rather, the Wolverine in the room.
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When Sutton starred opposite Hugh Jackman in The Music Man starting in 2021, the chemistry was... let's just say, noticeable. Broadway fans aren't stupid. They saw the way these two looked at each other during curtain calls. Rumors started swirling that they were more than just co-stars.
While neither confirmed anything while they were still with their spouses, the timing is hard to ignore:
- Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness announce their split in September 2023.
- Sutton Foster files for divorce from Ted Griffin in October 2024.
- By early 2025, Sutton and Hugh are spotted holding hands in Santa Monica.
By now, in 2026, Sutton and Hugh are officially a couple. There’s even talk of engagement and a potential wedding. But for Ted, the transition has been much quieter. He’s always been the type to stay out of the tabloid fray, focusing on his work and co-parenting Emily.
Co-Parenting and Moving Forward
The divorce was filed as "uncontested." That’s a big deal. It means they weren't fighting over every fork and spoon in the kitchen. They’ve clearly made a pact to keep things civil for Emily.
Sutton has mentioned that she’s "super traditional" in some ways, and she’s always prioritized a stable environment for her daughter. Even as she navigates a very public romance with one of the most famous men on the planet, the foundation she built with Ted remains the backdrop of her life.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of folks think that because Sutton moved on to a high-profile relationship, her marriage to Ted was a failure. That’s a pretty cynical way to look at ten years. They built a home, they adopted a child, and they supported each other through massive career shifts.
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Ted wasn't some "background character" in her life; he was the person who helped her transition from a career-obsessed performer to a mother. You don't just erase that.
What’s Next for Ted Griffin?
While Sutton is making red carpet debuts with Hugh Jackman, Ted is likely doing what he does best: writing. He’s been linked to several new projects and continues his long-standing collaboration with directors like Martin Scorsese.
He remains a respected figure in the WGA and a staple of the New York/LA creative scene. He’s just doing it without the Broadway spotlight following him home every night.
Actionable Takeaways from the Sutton/Ted Story
If you’re following this saga, there are a few real-world lessons to pull from how they handled their public "unraveling":
- The Power of the Uncontested Divorce: By keeping their legal proceedings "uncontested," they protected their daughter from a public paper trail of bitterness. If you're ever in that spot, mediation is almost always better than litigation.
- Adoption is a Lifelong Bond: Regardless of the marriage's status, Sutton and Ted's shared journey through the adoption process creates a permanent link. They’ve both spoken about how adoption was "meant to be" for them.
- Privacy is a Choice: Ted Griffin proves you can be married to a superstar and still maintain your own identity and privacy. He didn't use the marriage for "clout," and he hasn't used the divorce for "revenge" interviews.
- Timing Isn't Always Everything: Sometimes two things happen at once—a marriage ends and a new flame begins. While the "Music Man" rumors were spicy, it's often the case that the marriage was already drifting before the new person ever entered the picture.
Keep an eye on the trades for Ted's next screenplay. While he might not be on the Tony stage anymore, his voice is still one of the most influential in modern cinema.