Josh Duhamel is saddling up for a return to television in a new Western series that's sure to fill that Yellowstone-sized hole in your heart. The Netflix drama Ransom Canyon stars the 52-year-old actor alongside Minka Kelly. People on social media have already begun to compare the series to a country version of Friday Night Lights meets Yellowstone, but fans might not know much about Josh beyond the camera.
You may recognize the actor from his roles in Transformers, Jupiter's Legacy, When in Rome, Las Vegas, and Safe Haven, but the North Dakota native is a family man through and through. Here's what we know about his wife, Audra, and son, Shepherd.
Josh Duhamel has been married to his wife, Audra Mari, since September 2022. The pair were first seen together in 2019, sparking rumors about a new romance. During an appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark, Josh revealed that he first DM'd Mari after she was crowned Miss North Dakota USA in 2014. She finished runner-up in that year's Miss USA and later claimed the title of Miss World America in 2016. At first, Josh was worried about their age difference, but that didn't stop them from quickly forming a connection.
While dating, the two remained low-key and private with their relationship until January 2022 when they made a very special announcement: their engagement! Josh popped the question on Audra's 28th birthday and shared the news with fans on Instagram. He decided to pop the question during a trip to Little Palm Island by putting a message in a bottle. He said, "I went up to the concierge and asked if they had an old wine bottle, they did. Took some stationery from the hotel, burned the edges." He had it perfectly timed with the concierge so that Audra would find the bottle after dinner. Of course, she said yes!
A few months later, in September 2022, the actor and model officially tied the knot in Fargo, North Dakota. The ceremony was held on the rooftop of a local hotel, but Josh almost didn't make it down the aisle due to a back injury he sustained the night before. "The one day you have to be able to walk is down that aisle," he said during an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Cordon. "And it was, like, touch and go right up until an hour before the wedding."
A year after their wedding, the couple made a special joint announcement on Instagram that they were expecting a child together. While the Ransom Canyon star already had a son from his previous marriage to singer Fergie, this was his first with Audra. On January 11, 2024, Josh and Audra welcomed their son, Shepherd Lawrence Duhamel. Since his birth, the couple has devoted their home life to living off-the-grid. The actor built a cabin in the woods of Minnesota for his family.
In an interview with Country Living, he revealed that he wanted to be away from everything: "We’re about 40 minutes from civilization. It’s an exhale whenever we get here." He added, "Here my kids get to be kids—catching frogs, collecting sticks. They come home and they’re filthy, and I think that’s so good for them."
On April 18, 2025, Josh Duhamel shared his health tips and morning routine, even stuff "Men don’t usually talk about." Sharing insight into his routine, Josh noted that he likes to spend his mornings exercising and getting his son Axl, 11, ready for school. He wakes up early between 6 and 6:30 and lets his wife, Audra Mari, sleep until 9:30.
He begins his morning with a cup of homemade coffee and makes breakfast for his son Axl, but usually skips breakfast himself. "I’ve been trying not to eat much in the morning. It’s harder as you get older [Duhamel is 52] to keep that gut off! One of the things I think has helped is intermittent fasting. I’ll wait till later in the day, or have a green smoothie," he shared with People.
Skipping breakfast doesn’t mean he ignores his health. Josh shared that he keeps on top of his game with vitamin supplements and a testosterone supplement from his own brand, Gatlan. The Shotgun Wedding star also takes care of his baby son, Shepherd, when he wakes up and changes his diaper. "10 minutes later he poops his pants, so I change him again. Then he and I just play. He’s so fun. He’s f---ing hilarious," Josh shared.
After dropping Axl off at school, Josh Duhamel works out and showers. Sharing his shower routine, he said, "There’s not a lot of grooming going on. In the shower, Hårklinikken make the hair products I’ve been using, which are fantastic, especially if you want to keep your hair. And any body wash, Axe or Old Spice, either of those. I use UltraLuxe for skin care — the Hydrasoft Lotion and Seaweed Liposome Gel."
Having revealed his whole routine, Josh Duhamel remarked, "I can’t believe I’m telling all this stuff. Men don’t usually talk about our secrets!"
