'Moving on': Hugh Jackman's primary school best friend pleads with his ex Deborra-Lee Furness after her shock 'betrayal' statement

Sky News AU

30-05-2025

Hugh Jackman's best friend has pleaded with his ex Deborra-Lee Furness after she made a surprising "betrayal" statement amid their high-profile divorce.
Radio personality Gus Worland, who attended Pymble Public School with Jackman, spoke to 2GB's Ben Fordham Live on Thursday and revealed how the Deadpool & Wolverine star is faring amid the drama.
Worland said Jackman is "moving on", suggesting he is happy with his life as the pair navigate their divorce, and urged Furness, 69, to do the same.
"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," he said.
"I go to their kids and ask them what we can do to make sure they get through this as best as possible."
Worland said he was with Jackman in New York City last month, where the Greatest Showman star was "fine" and "going along well."
At the same time, he said Jackman was still "going through" the emotions that come with his divorce being splashed across the media.
"No one wants anyone to go through what he is, and he is going through it publicly because of his fame," Worland said.
Jackman's longtime pal five decades said he has been "really strict" on supporting both exes in doing whatever they need to do to move on.
Furness finally filed for divorce from Jackman in New York City last Friday, according to DailyMail.com on Wednesday.
It comes two years after the former couple announced their split in September 2023 in a move which shocked some Hollywood insiders.
Furness then took a very surprising public swipe at the Deadpool & Wolverine star in a candid statement to the same publication.
The actress said her "heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal."
"It's a profound wound that cuts deep, however I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us," she said.
"This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage. I have gained much knowledge and wisdom through this experience. Even when we are presented with apparent adversity, it is leading us to our greatest good, our true purpose.
"It can hurt, but in the long run, returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom."
Later, Jackman took to Instagram to share a cryptic video of himself skipping to the tune of NSYNC's Bye Bye Bye in his solo stage show Hugh Jackman Live From New York With Love at Radio City Music Hall.
The hit was most likely a nod to Jackman and actor Ryan Reynolds' starring film Deadpool & Wolverine, which features the single.
However, the inclusion of the song was notable, given the timing.
Jackman also raised eyebrows with a pointed one-word caption.
"FINALLY," he wrote.
Furness's lawyer Elena Karabatos reportedly submitted further filings which include a health care coverage notice, a proposed qualified medical child support order, a New York state case registry form, the settlement, a proposed judgment of divorce, and a certificate of dissolution of the 27-year union.
It's understood Furness and Jackman have agreed to their divorce terms and both parties can expect a judge to sign the judgment.
A Daily Mail insider said a "settlement was reached that Deborra is pleased with".
This could suggest Jackman and Furness negotiated to reach an agreement after their divorce was reported stalled over money in January.
Furness believed she was "entitled to money," and Jackman refused.
"Hugh and Deborra-Lee have not yet filed for divorce because they are struggling to reach an agreement on how to divide their assets," a source told Daily Mail Australia in March.
"Deborra-Lee feels entitled to more money than Hugh is willing to offer.
Speculation also emerged the Jindabyne actress was bitter about their split.
"While he didn't physically cheat on her with Sutton, Deborra-Lee believes they were having an emotional affair, and she feels he betrayed her," the source said.
Jackman and his former The Music Man co-star Sutton Foster, 50, confirmed widespread speculation they were together in January.
The couple were spotted holding hands in Santa Monica, California.
That same month, photos surfaced of the lovebirds making out in an In-N-Out drive-thru in San Fernando, California.
Jackman and Foster were seen laughing and kissing in a Range Rover.
Foster split from her husband of ten years, Ted Griffin, last October.
They share a seven-year-old adopted daughter, Emily.
She is believed to be moving into Jackman's New York penthouse, which he purchased for USD$21.12 million (AUD $30 million) in 2022 with Furness.
In February, a source close to the Oscar-nominated star told Closer Jackman 'wants to make Sutton his wife'.
The source said the timing of Jackman's official divorce from Furness will impact when he can get married again, but that 'as soon as they are both free and clear, they (Jackman and Foster) want to walk down the aisle'.