Josh Duhamel Shares Sweet Photo of Sons Axl, 13, & Shepard, 2, Bonding
Fergie, Ex Josh Duhamel Celebrate Son Axl’s 13th Birthday With Never-Before-Seen Photos
Josh Duhamel is showing his life as he knows it.
The Ransom Canyon star shared a glimpse at the bond his and ex Fergie's 13-year-old son Axl shares with his and wife Audra Mari's 2-year-old son Shepard, whom they welcomed in 2024.
Duhamel posted a photo on Instagram Sept. 10 of Axl lying in their backyard—a playset and soccer net sitting neatly behind them as the sun set—with Shepard cozied up in his lap, a cup in the toddler's hand.
Alongside the snap, the 53-year-old fittingly captioned the moment, "Homies is for life.”
And while the brothers couldn't be closer now, Duhamel previously revealed Axl was feeling the pressure about becoming a big sibling.
"He's like, 'Wait, now, am I going to be—you're still going to love me, though, too, right?'" Duhamel recalled to Parade in September 2023. "I was like, 'Of course I'm still going to love you.' And he's like, 'I'm still going to be your firstborn son, though, right?' I'm like, 'Yeah, you're still the firstborn son!'"
With that reassurance, Axl was ready to take on his role as big brother.
"He's a really sweet kid," he added. "He loves babies! I was the same way at his age. I just have always loved babies. There's something about them. And he's really good with younger kids."
Duhamel—also dad to daughter Rocca, 3 months, with Mari—has often shared a look at family life online, most recently celebrating Axl's 13th birthday with new snaps of the teen.
"Guess who's a TEENAGER!? Holy crap that went fast," he captioned the Aug. 29 post. "I love this dude so much. I couldn't have asked for a more kind, compassionate and thoughtful kid. HAPPY 13th B-DAY AXL JACK!!!"
In fact, the Safe Haven star even shared a glimpse into his celebration. In a separate Instagram post, he wrote, "Had an incredible day at Universal Studios Hollywood this week celebrating my son Axl's 13th BIRTHDAY!!!"
For Duhamel, transforming into a dad came pretty naturally.
"There's always something new," he told People in August 2025. "I just love being a dad. I love every single milestone."
For a closer look at Axl's life with his parents and siblings, keep reading.
Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Pandora Media Inc
Family Photo
Fergie and Josh Duhamel snapped a photo with son Axl Jack Duhamel while attending a Pandora Summer Crush event in Los Angeles in 2016.
Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images
Red Carpet Moment
Axl joined mom Fergie—born Stacy Ann Ferguson—for another public outing in 2017, stepping out at a SiriusXM Studios event in New York.
Ahoy!
Fergie and Axl snapped a selfie at a pirate party when he was 4 years old.
Noel Vasquez/GC Images
Play Ball
Fergie and Josh took their son to the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Boston Red Sox in 2016.
Ari Perilstein/Getty Images for Feld Entertainment
Keep on Truckin'
The father-son duo had some fun at the Monster Jam Celebrity Event in 2018.
Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images
Ready to Rumble
Josh and Axl get silly at the red carpet premiere of The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part in 2019.
Cheesin'
Josh wished his son a happy 6th birthday in 2019, writing, "Never a dull moment with this kid. Happy Birthday, Axl Jack!"
Adventure Awaits
The All My Children actor added an outdoorsy photo to the birthday tribute, showing the pair making a splash during a lake trip.
Three Generations
Axl bonded with his grandfather Jon Patrick Ferguson in July 2020, when Fergie wrote, "Happy 73rd birthday dad!! We love you so much."
Out of This World
"Happy 7th Birthday #AxlJack," the musician wrote in 2020. "You are my world."
Birthday Boy
Her birthday post to her son also unveiled a sweet snap of him flashing a smile during a boat outing.
Twinning
"I am so grateful to be your mommy Axl Jack," the "Big Girls Don't Cry" singer captioned this photo of their Burberry matching moment in May 2023.
Instagram/Josh Duhamel
Father and Son
"To my buddy boy...you bring my life a lot of joy," Josh wrote on Instagram on Father's Day 2023. "Love you kid."
All Grown Up
Fergie marked Axl's 10th birthday in August 2023 with a series of photos of her boy, including this silly shot.
Just Vibes
"To my caring, funny, outgoing, loving, smart, talkative, creative super hero enthusiast," she wrote in her birthday tribute. "Happy 10th birthday punky!!! I love you Axl Jack."
Instagram/Josh Duhamel
Big Brother
Axl became a big brother in January 2024, when Josh welcomed baby boy Shepherd with wife Audra Mari.
Instagram/Fergie
Jump Around
As an avid soccer fan, Axl rang in his 11th birthday in 2024 while wearing his favorite jersey.
"It is so fun watching you grow in every phase of your life," Fergie wrote on Instagram. "No matter what jersey you’re wearing I’ll always be your biggest cheerleader for anything you want to do in life. I love you beyond word."
Fergie/Instagram
Axl may not be old enough to rock and roll all night yet, but on his 12th birthday Fergie celebrated the multitudes her son contains.
"I am so proud to see how independent you’re becoming and what a kind human you are," she wrote on Instagram Aug. 29, 2025. "Discovering everything you’re into and watching you grow brings such joy… I feel so lucky to be your mom."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Wow
0
Sad
0
Angry
0
Comments (0)