Hugh Jackman 'blindsided' by Deborra-Lee Furness' 'betrayal' divorce claims

Hugh Jackman was reportedly taken by surprise by his ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness's public comments regarding their marriage, following their recent divorce filing.

The Australian actress, 69, officially filed for divorce from the Wolverine star, 56, last week after they announced their separation in 2023 following 27 years of marriage.

In her statement, she discussed the “breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage” and the “traumatic journey of betrayal” she had endured.

A source told the Daily Mail that Jackman, 56, was “blindsided” and “extremely disappointed” by Furness’ remarks, claiming that there had been an “unwritten understanding” that she would not publicly criticise him.

The source added that Jackman “knows he cannot change anything.”

The Standard has contacted reps for both Jackman and Furness for comment.

Meanwhile, Jackman’s friend, Australian radio presenter Gus Worland appeared on 2GB's Ben Fordham Live on Thursday and revealed how the actor is doing amid the divorce.

Worland, who went to primary school with the Hollywood star, shared: “No one wants anyone to go through what he is and he is going through it publicly because of his fame.

He continued: “One thing I have been really strict on is to let Hugh and Deborra-Lee do what they have had to do. I was over in New York with him last month and he is fine. He is going along well.”

“He is moving on with his life. I hope Deb does as well. They were together for 30 years and have two beautiful kids together. I go to their kids and ask them what we can do to make sure they get through this as best as possible.”

Furness and The Greatest Showman actor announced their separation in September 2023, saying in a statement: “We have been blessed to share almost 3 decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage.

“Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.”

They met in 1995 on Australian TV show Correlli, when she was an established actress, and he was enjoying his first role after drama school.

The duo got engaged four months later and married in Melbourne, Australia, in April 1996. They adopted their son Oscar, now 24, in 2000 and adopted daughter Ava, 19, in 2005.

Jackman appeared to confirm his romance with his former theatre co-star Sutton Foster, 50, in January, with the pair spotted holding hands while leaving a date in Los Angeles after months of speculation.

Furness submitted a divorce filing in New York on May 25 after they reportedly agreed on a “handsome spousal support payment” for their two grown-up children.

Jackman and Foster met in 2008 when she was starring in a Broadway production of Shrek.

The pair became Broadway co-stars in a year-long revival of The Music Man in 2022.

They grew close during the year-long run of the production, with Foster telling Vogue in 2022: “He disarms everyone, and he doesn’t make anything about him. He’s now become one of my best friends, which was a surprise”.

Foster said the pair spent Memorial Day together with each other's families that year.

Rumours began swirling that Jackman and Foster were romantically linked in January 2024, after Jackman was spotted in the audience of Once Upon a Mattress, a play she starred in.

In October 2024, Foster filed for divorce from her husband of a decade, the screenwriter Ted Griffin.