Hugh Jackman’s childhood friend is speaking out about the actor’s “difficult” split from ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness.
Nearly two years after announcing their separation in September 2023, Furness has officially filed for divorce from the 56-year-old actor and released a statement about the “traumatic journey of betrayal,” sparking questions about Jackman’s current relationship with former Broadway costar Sutton Foster.
Now, Jackman’s childhood friend Gus Worland, founder of the “mental fitness” nonprofit Gotcha4Life, has weighed in on the “difficult” split during an appearance on the Ben Fordham Live radio show. Worland says he has been “best mates” with the Deadpool & Wolverine star since they were both in kindergarten, and that they are godparents to each other’s first-born children.
“It’s not just that statement, but just the last couple of years have been difficult,” Worland said of the divorce, per People. “No one wants anyone to go through what they’ve been through, and of course, they go through everything publicly because of the type of people [they are] and the fame that they have.”
Throughout the brief radio conversation, Worland spoke about maintaining his relationship with both Jackman and Furness, saying he’s been “strict” about “[letting] them do what they’ve had to do.”
After spending time with Jackman last month, Worland said the actor is “moving on with his life.” As many fans of the Marvel star know, Jackman confirmed his relationship with Foster in January 2025, though rumors of their relationship began surfacing as early as December 2023.
“He’s fine. He is going along well,” Worland says. “He’s moving on with his life and I hope that Deb does as well.”
Ultimately, he says the pair were together a “long, long time,” adding, “I just go to the kids and go, ‘What can we do to make sure that they’re going to get through this as well as possible?’”
“My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal.”
Jackman and Furness met on the set of the Australian TV series Corelli in 1995 and were married a year later, in April 1996. They share two children: Oscar, 25, and Ava, 19. After 27 years of marriage the pair announced their separation in a joint statement in September 2023.
“Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness,” the Australian couple shared in a statement to People, which was signed, “Deb and Hugh Jackman.” It continued, “We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives. This is the sole statement either of us will make.”
Despite the seemingly amicable nature of the split—Furness even attended Jackman’s birthday outing a month later—her latest statement marks a significant shift in the narrative.
“My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,” Furness said in her statement to the Daily Mail. “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. This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage.”
She continued, “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. We are all on our individual journeys and I believe that the relationships in our lives are not random. We are drawn to people, we invite them in, in order to learn our lessons and to recognize and heal the broken parts of ourselves…I remain grateful.”
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By Sam Reed
The post Hugh Jackman’s Friend Says the Actor Is ‘Moving on With His Life’ as Deborra-Lee Furness Speaks About ‘Betrayal’ appeared first on Glamour.
