Josh Duhamel bio, wife, net worth, kids, height, age, family, career path 2025

Josh Duhamel's Biography

Josh Duhamel's career has been all about defying expectations and taking bold career pivots. He could've been a dentist with his biology degree, built a modeling career, or stayed in any number of safer paths. But in 2000, Josh broke into Hollywood. Over the next two decades, he fought off the "soap opera actor" label and carved out his place on the big screen.

By 2020, Josh had become a go-to name for Hollywood directors. He could handle action flicks and detective thrillers just as easily as dramas and romantic comedies. His charisma caught the attention of Fergie, The Black Eyed Peas frontwoman, who became his first wife. In late 2022, he married "Miss World America" Audra Mari, nearly half his age.

Childhood

Josh Duhamel was born on November 14, 1972, in the small town of Minot, North Dakota. Josh's mother was a school teacher, and his father worked as an advertising agent. After Josh arrived, three daughters followed, and he grew incredibly close to his sisters.

When Josh was a teenager, his parents divorced. Watching his mom struggle to support the family alone, he chose the stability of dentistry and started prepping for dental school.

In 1990, he enrolled at the University of North Dakota. He'd been passionate about football in high school, so he joined the university team while keeping up his grades. I got my biology degree as a stepping stone to dental school., he recalled in an interview.

In 1995, he found himself in Los Angeles taking professional development courses. To pay the bills, the good-looking young guy decided to try modeling. And it paid off big time: Josh hit the runways, booked photo shoots, and even snagged "Male Model of the Year" in 1997.

Early Roles

In addition to modeling auditions, Josh actively attended acting tryouts. Big city life completely swept him away, and his dental school dreams were suddenly a distant memory. His good looks landed him music video gigs (for example, in 1999 he appeared in Christina Aguilera's music video for "Genie In A Bottle").

Christina Aguilera – Genie In A Bottle

He enrolled at Scott Sedita's acting studio, despite doubting his own talent. "Making the jump from modeling to TV, even soap operas, was really hard for me. Nobody thought I could actually act," Josh said later.

In 2000, he landed his debut role in the long-running soap opera "All My Children". His romantic storyline with co-star Rebecca Budig earned them both Daytime Emmy wins in 2003. Duhamel had already taken some shots at movies by then, but struck out. But he scored a part in the drama series "Las Vegas", which launched him to fame.

Josh Duhamel in the series All My Children

For five seasons (2003-2008), Josh played a former military man who helped maintain order in local casinos and identify fraudsters. After the show's success, Josh was determined to make the leap to movies and shed his soap opera image. But his early movie attempts didn't exactly set the world on fire.

His starring turn in the 2004 "Picture of Dorian Gray" adaptation got a pretty cold shoulder from audiences. After that, the actor tried his hand at the horror movie "Turistas" (2006), but the film went unnoticed.

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Trailer

Career Peak

Josh's big break came when Michael Bay cast him in the 2007 blockbuster "Transformers." Bay was so impressed by an episode of "Las Vegas" where Duhamel's character returned from Iraq that he gave the actor the role of Captain Lennox.

Josh Duhamel in the movie "Transformers"

Initially, Josh was skeptical about the offer. I remember second-guessing whether to do it, thinking it might not be the best idea... That's what I thought for about two months until Michael called and said he could see me in this project, Duhamel admitted.

Josh Duhamel on the set of the movie "Transformers"

Josh starred in the film alongside Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. The film was a massive hit, and Duhamel reprised his role in "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (2009) and "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" (2011).

Josh Duhamel in the movie "Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon"

In 2010, Josh starred in the comedy "Life as We Know It," earning praise from both audiences and critics. According to the plot, his character had to take care of his goddaughter who had lost her parents. The catch? He can't stand the girl's godmother (Katherine Heigl). Their unlikely pairing proved comedy gold, delivering strong box office numbers and earning Duhamel a Teen Choice Award nomination.

Josh Duhamel in the movie "Life as We Know It"

A year later, Josh appeared in the romantic comedy "New Year's Eve", and later starred in Lasse Hallström's "Safe Haven" (2013), the film "You're Not You" (2014) with Hilary Swank and Emmy Rossum.

Josh Duhamel in the movie "You're Not You"

Josh hit another career high in 2015 when he landed the lead in the detective series "Battle Creek." Duhamel played an FBI agent partnered with a local cop to investigate high-profile cases. Josh's contradictory partner was portrayed by Dean Winters.

If you watch the series to the end, you'll see that this guy has his own issues and real demons that he hides behind a perfect suit and hairstyle, Duhamel said about his character. The series was cancelled after the first season, despite high ratings.

Josh Duhamel in the series "Battle Creek"

In 2016, Duhamel played a minor role in the adaptation of Stephen King's novel "11.22.63". And a year later, he returned to collaborate with Michael Bay for the movie "Transformers: The Last Knight". The blockbuster once again raked in massive box office numbers, but critics weren't having it. The action film received nine nominations for the Razzie Awards, including Josh himself for "Worst Supporting Actor".

Josh Duhamel in the movie "Transformers: The Last Knight".

Duhamel continued to work hard: in 2018, he starred in the drama "Love, Simon" and the multi-part thriller "Unsolved". In 2019, he simultaneously directed, wrote and produced the comedy "Buddy Games". The project also starred Dan Bakkedahl, Kevin Dillon, and Olivia Munn. Despite its modest budget, the film doubled its money at the box office.

The year 2020 brought Duhamel roles in the series "Love, Victor", dramas "The Lost Husband" and "Think Like a Dog". The following year, Josh also gained experience in voice acting, lending his voice to characters in the animated films "Batman: The Long Halloween" and "Night of the Animated Dead". In addition, he starred in the science fiction series "Jupiter's Legacy".

Josh Duhamel in the series "Jupiter's Legacy"

Josh Duhamel's Personal Life

Josh Duhamel has never been short on female attention. He dated model Christy Pierce, some co-stars, and in 2004 he discovered The Black Eyed Peas and completely lost his mind.

Actually, he first saw the band's video on TV and instantly fell for their lead singer, Fergie. Josh immediately convinced the "Las Vegas" producers to get the band on the show. "When I saw her, I just blurted out, 'You're hot!'", Josh recalled about meeting Fergie.

Josh Duhamel on First Meeting Fergie

Soon, Duhamel began dating the singer. In 2007, they announced their engagement, but they took their time getting to the altar. Finally, in 2009, the couple got married.

Months later, tabloids ran a story featuring stripper Nicole Forrester, who claimed she'd had an affair with the actor. But the couple weathered the storm. On August 29, 2013, the couple had a son - Axl Jack Duhamel.

Josh and Fergie looked like the perfect family from the outside, so their 2017 separation blindsided fans. The couple kept quiet about why they split, but sources claimed Josh wanted more kids while Fergie wasn't ready to put her career on hold.

Josh Duhamel on His Baby

In 2019, the stars officially divorced. Josh was linked to Olivia Munn and Eiza Gonzalez during this time. Soon after the divorce, Josh started dating Miss World America titleholder Audra Mari. Their 21-year age gap didn't faze them. In September 2022, Josh and Audra got married.

We're both from North Dakota, and I think we have something in common – Josh said about his young wife.

Josh Duhamel Now

By 2022, Duhamel had starred in over 50 projects. He achieved Hollywood star status and became a highly sought-after actor. Josh proved he could tackle a wide range of genres. In 2022, he starred with Renée Zellweger in the crime drama "The Thing About Pam", and with Abbie Cornish in the action film "Blackout". The thriller "Bandit", in which Duhamel appeared alongside Elisha Cuthbert and Mel Gibson, hit theaters later that year.

The actor also returned to the romantic comedy genre that brought him fame. The rom-com "Shotgun Wedding" premiered in February 2023. Josh and Jennifer Lopez played newlyweds who get taken hostage.

Filming nearly ended in tragedy. The plot required Josh and Jennifer to perform numerous stunts. During one stunt, the actress nearly fell off a cliff, but Duhamel saved her by grabbing hold of her.

Josh Duhamel and Jennifer Lopez in 'Shotgun Wedding'

In 2023, Duhamel had several projects in development. These included the comedy "What's He Got?" and a sequel to "Buddy Games".

Interesting Facts

Josh owns the restaurant 10 North Main back in his hometown. The menu features some pretty exotic dishes, like elk meat and pheasant.
Duhamel collects vintage Chrysler cars, especially models from the 1950s and 60s.
In his downtime, Duhamel enjoys making jewelry. He often gives finished pieces to his friends.
Among his close friends, Josh is known as a total prankster - he loves jokes and creating absurd situations. At the 2013 Kids Choice Awards, for example, he mimicked his pregnant wife Fergie by wearing a fake belly and the same dress.
Duhamel nearly jeopardized his wedding to Audra Mari. He danced so wildly at his bachelor party the night before that he couldn't get out of bed the next morning. With severe back pain, Josh had to get medical help.

Important Dates in Life

1995 - Moved to Los Angeles
1997 - Appeared in celebrity music videos, received the "Model of the Year" title
2000 - Acted in the series "All My Children"
2003 - Landed a role in the project "Las Vegas"
2007 - Starred in the action film "Transformers"
2009 - Married Fergie
2010 - Acted in the comedy "Life As We Know It"
2015 - Landed a role in the series "Battle Creek"
2017 - Acted in the film "Transformers: The Last Knight", received a nomination for the Razzie Award
2019 - Directed and produced the comedy "Buddy Games", got divorced from Fergie
2022 - Married Audra Mari
2023 - Starred in the comedy "Shotgun Wedding"

Photos: Josh Duhamel