Deborra-Lee Furness Biography: Age, Husband, Net Worth, Movies, Height, Parents, TV Shows, Divorce

Deborra-Lee Furness is an acclaimed Australian actress, producer, and director, renowned for her versatile performances in film and television, as well as her impactful advocacy for adoption and children’s rights.

Her career spans over four decades, marked by critical success and a commitment to social causes, making her a respected figure in both entertainment and philanthropy.

Profile

• Full Name: Deborra-Lee Furness Jackman
• Stage Name: Deborra-Lee Furness
• Born: November 30, 1955
• Age: 69 years old
• Birthplace: Annandale, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• Nationality: Australian
• Occupation: Australian Actress, Producer, Director
• Height: 5 feet 8 inches
• Parents: Graham Duncan, Fay Duncan
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Hugh Jackman (m. 1996, separated 2023, divorced 2025)
• Children: Oscar Maximillian Jackman, Ava Eliot Jackman
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $10–$50 million

Early Life and Education

Deborra-Lee Furness was born on November 30, 1955, in Annandale, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and raised in Melbourne, Victoria. Born to Graham Duncan and Fay Duncan, a founding member of the Fight Cancer Foundation who received an Order of Australia Medal, Deborra grew up in a supportive environment that nurtured her artistic aspirations.

At age eight, she faced the loss of her father in a plane crash, which shaped her resilience and independence. Encouraged by her mother to have a backup career, she attended secretarial school at 18, learning shorthand and typing.

She worked as an assistant to John Sorell, news director at Channel 9, before transitioning to a researcher and on-air reporter for the all-female-produced daytime program No Man’s Land. After a year of traveling through Europe, she pursued acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, graduating in 1981 or 1982, where she honed her craft through stage performances.

Career

Deborra-Lee Furness, an acclaimed actress, began her career in the mid-1970s with a role as Junior 1 in the Australian police drama Division 4 (1975). She gained early experience in television, appearing in The Box (1975), Prisoner (1979), and Cop Shop (1980).

After graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she played Kathleen in Falcon Crest (1987) and performed on New York stages. Her breakthrough came in 1988 with the lead role of Asta Cadell in the film Shame, earning critical acclaim and multiple awards for her portrayal of a lawyer seeking justice.

She starred in films like Evil Angels (1988), Celia (1988), Voyager (1991), and Newsies (1992), and the miniseries Stark (1993) and Act of Betrayal (1988).

In 1995, she played Louisa Correlli in the TV series Correlli, where she met her future husband, Hugh Jackman. Other notable roles include Dolores Kennedy in Fire (1995–1996), SeaChange (2000), Jindabyne (2006), and voicing Barran in Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole (2010).

As a producer, she co-founded Seed Productions and worked on projects like An Aussie Goes Barmy (2006) and An Aussie Goes Bolly (2008). She directed the short film Standing Room Only (2003) and episodes of Neighbours (2020).

After taking time off to raise her children, she returned with roles in Sleepwalking (2008), Blessed (2009), and Force of Nature: The Dry 2 (2024), showcasing her enduring versatility.

Awards and Nominations

• 1988: Golden Space Needle Award, Best Actress, Seattle International Film Festival (Shame) – Won
• 1988: Film Critics Circle of Australia Award, Best Actress (Shame) – Won
• 1991: Silver Shell, Best Actress, San Sebastián International Film Festival (Waiting) – Won
• 2000: Australian Film Institute (AACTA) Award, Best Performance by an Actress in a Guest Role in a Television Drama (SeaChange, “Hungi Jury”) – Nominated
• 2006: Film Critics Circle of Australia Award, Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Jindabyne) – Won
• 2006: Australian Film Institute (AACTA) Award, Best Supporting Actress (Jindabyne) – Nominated
• 2014: New South Wales Australian of the Year, Adoption Advocacy – Won
• 2017: United Nations Women for Peace Association Award, Advocacy with Hopeland –

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @deborra_lee
• Twitter Handle: @Deborra_lee
• Facebook Handle: @deborraleef

Personal Life

Deborra-Lee Furness married actor Hugh Jackman on April 11, 1996, after meeting on the set of Correlli in 1995. They adopted two children, Oscar Maximillian Jackman (born May 15, 2000) and Ava Eliot Jackman (born July 10, 2005), after experiencing two miscarriages.

The couple, known for their strong Hollywood marriage, announced their separation in September 2023, with their divorce finalized in May 2025. Furness cited Jackman’s alleged affair as a contributing factor, sharing in May 2025, “My heart and compassion go out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal.”

Despite the split, they remain committed to co-parenting and were seen together celebrating Jackman’s 55th birthday in 2023. Furness is a passionate advocate for adoption, founding National Adoption Awareness Week and serving as a patron for the Lighthouse Foundation and International Adoption Families for Queensland.

She is also an ambassador for World Vision and FilmAid International. A Sagittarius, she enjoys desserts like chocolate pudding and pavlova, and resides primarily in

Filmography and Discography

Filmography (Selected):

• Division 4 (1975) – Junior 1 (TV Series)
• The Box (1975) – Office Girl (TV Series)
• Prisoner (1979) – Guest Role (TV Series)
• Falcon Crest (1987) – Kathleen (TV Series, 1 episode)
• The Bit Part (1987) – Helen (Film)
• Shame (1988) – Asta Cadell (Film)
• Evil Angels (1988) – Magazine Reporter (Film)
• Celia (1988) – Miss Greenway (Film)
• Act of Betrayal (1988) – Kathy (TV Miniseries)
• Voyager (1991) – Ivy (Film)
• Waiting (1991) – Diane (Film)
• Newsies (1992) – Esther Jacobs (Film)
• Stark (1993) – Chrissy (TV Miniseries)
• Angel Baby (1995) – Louise Goodman (Film)
• Correlli (1995) – Louisa Correlli (TV Series)
• Fire (1995–1996) – Dolores Kennedy (TV Series)
• SeaChange (2000) – Guest Role (TV Series, “Hungi Jury”)
• Jindabyne (2006) – Jude (Film)
• Sleepwalking (2008) – Laura (Film)
• Blessed (2009) – Rhonda (Film)
• Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole (2010) – Barran (Voice, Film)
• Force of Nature: The Dry 2 (2024) – Jill Bailey (Film)

Net Worth

Deborra-Lee Furness has an estimated net worth ranging from $10 million to $50 million. Her wealth is derived from her acting roles, producing and directing projects, and endorsements. Significant real estate investments, including a $21 million New York City triplex purchased with Hugh Jackman in 2012, contribute to her financial standing.