Josh Duhamel Son: Everything You Didn't Know About Axl and Shepherd

When you think of Josh Duhamel, you probably picture the rugged star of Transformers or the charming lead in a dozen rom-coms. But honestly? If you ask him, he’s just a "boy dad" from North Dakota trying to keep his head above water while raising two very different sons.

The world met his first son, Axl Jack Duhamel, back in 2013 during the height of Josh’s marriage to pop icon Fergie. Fast forward to 2024, and the family grew again with the arrival of Shepherd Lawrence Duhamel, his first child with wife Audra Mari.

It’s a blended family dynamic that actually works, which is kinda rare in Hollywood.

Axl Jack Duhamel: The Rockstar Namesake

Axl was born on August 29, 2013. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because his parents are massive Guns N' Roses fans. Fergie actually had a dream about Axl Rose while she was pregnant, and well, the name just stuck.

He’s 12 now.

Think about that. The "baby" we all remember seeing in those early paparazzi shots is officially a pre-teen. Josh recently admitted that he’s already navigating the "first crush" phase. Apparently, Axl went to a summer camp in Minnesota and came back talking about a girl he really liked.

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Josh’s reaction? "Dude! You’re not even 12!"

Life Away from the Bright Lights

Despite having two of the most famous parents on the planet, Axl isn’t your typical "nepo baby" hanging out at The Ivy. Josh is pretty adamant about keeping his kids grounded. He even built a "doomsday cabin" (his words, not mine) in the middle of the Minnesota woods.

• No Child Acting: Axl takes drama classes and loves it, but Josh has a strict rule: no agents or professional auditions until he’s an adult. He wants him to be a kid.
• The Athlete Life: Right now, Axl is obsessed with soccer and basketball. He’s more into sports stats than he is into his dad’s movie sets.
• The Minnesota Connection: Josh makes Axl "get his hands dirty" at the cabin. We’re talking 40 miles from the nearest store. If they need something, they usually have to fix it or do without.

Shepherd Lawrence Duhamel: The Newest Addition

Then there’s Shepherd. Born on January 11, 2024, he’s the toddler currently running the Duhamel-Mari household.

Shepherd is already showing a completely different personality than his big brother. While Axl is into sports and art, Shepherd is a total "car guy." Josh says the little guy inherited that from his maternal grandfather. If there’s a tricycle or a steering wheel nearby, Shepherd is on it, pretending to drive.

The "Terrible Twos" and Toddler Logic

As of early 2026, Shepherd is hitting those milestone toddler years. Josh has been vocal about loving the "tantrum phase." Most parents are pulling their hair out, but Josh says he finds the meltdowns hilarious because they’re such a raw expression of personality.

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He’s already walking—started at nine months, actually—and is basically a "boundless" ball of energy.

The Reality of Co-Parenting with Fergie

You’d expect some drama, right?

Usually, when a high-profile couple splits and one moves on to start a new family, things get messy. But the situation with Josh, Fergie, and Audra Mari is surprisingly wholesome.

When Audra announced she was pregnant with Shepherd, Fergie was actually one of the first people to comment on Instagram, saying, "Axl can’t wait to be a big brother."

Josh credits this to his own upbringing. His parents divorced when he was young, and they didn't really have the "tools" to stay civil. He didn't want that for Axl. He and Fergie made a pact to put their son first, and it seems they’ve actually stuck to it. They share custody evenly and even celebrate milestones together.

Why the "Off the Grid" Lifestyle Matters

Josh is 52 now. He’s at a point where he’s more interested in red light therapy and "not letting the old man in the door" than he is in Hollywood parties.

He’s even launched a men’s health brand called Gatlan to stay "virile" and active for his young kids. He wants to be the dad who can still jump on a jet ski or play a full game of football with his boys.

Raising the kids in Minnesota part-time is his way of escaping the "soul-sucking" nature of the industry. He wants them to know what it’s like to worry about whether the fire is hot enough or if they have enough water, rather than worrying about their Instagram follower count.

What's Next for the Duhamel Boys?

So, what should we expect?

Axl is heading toward his teenage years, which means learner's permits and more "parent-supervised" dates. Josh is already "training" him on his lap behind the wheel at the cabin.

As for Shepherd, he’s just trying to figure out how to drive his toy cars faster.

Josh hasn’t ruled out having more kids, either. He’s mentioned that Audra is an incredible mother and they’ve talked about the possibility of a third child—maybe even a girl this time.

Actionable Takeaways for Parents

If there’s anything to learn from how Josh Duhamel handles his sons, it’s these three things:

1. Prioritize the "Boring" Stuff: Even if you’re a movie star, the best memories happen while doing chores or playing catch in the backyard.
2. Boundaries with Technology: Getting kids away from screens and into the "dirt" (even if it's just a local park) changes their perspective on problem-solving.
3. Civility is a Choice: Successful co-parenting isn't about liking your ex; it's about liking your kid enough to make things easy for them.

Keep an eye on Axl and Shepherd. While they might not be child stars, with those genetics and that upbringing, they’re definitely going to be doing something interesting in a few years. For now, they’re just two boys growing up in the woods, far away from the paparazzi.