Josh Duhamel has publicly commended his ex-wife, Fergie, for being an “amazing mom” to their son, Axl, who is now 12 years old. The 52-year-old actor shares Axl with the Black Eyed Peas star and also has a 20-month-old son, Shepherd, with his current wife, Audra Mari. Duhamel emphasized the importance of cooperation between parents, especially when work commitments take him far from home, as recently occurred during the filming of his latest movie, London Calling, in South Africa.
In an interview with Us Weekly, Duhamel stated, “We all have to work together to make sure that this thing works.” He explained the challenges of balancing work and family life while filming in distant locations. “If you’re in Vancouver or New Mexico, it’s one thing. But when you’re in Cape Town, there’s no going back and forth on the weekends,” he noted, acknowledging the difficulties that come with being away from his children.
Duhamel’s portrayal of a washed-up killer and deadbeat dad in London Calling prompted him to reflect on his own parenting style. He shared, “It was fun to look at some of the things that I could even do better as a dad.” The actor expressed feelings of guilt about his frequent absences due to work. “I work a lot, and I often have a lot of guilt about not being there as often as I could be,” he admitted.
The actor strives to find a balance between providing for his family and being present for significant moments in his children’s lives. He explained, “On the one hand, you can’t be there all the time, because you’ve got to be setting an example. But on the other hand, you might be missing out on life moments that you’d be there for if you were a 9 to 5 dad who went to work every day and came home.”
This ongoing challenge is something Duhamel finds relatable in his character’s journey. He described the character as a good father who, despite missing many moments, ultimately realizes the importance of stepping up. “There are a lot of things I’m good at and a lot of things I need to work on,” he reflected.
Duhamel drew parallels between himself and his character, likening his situation to that of an athlete nearing the end of their career. “It’s like an athlete who’s at the end of his career, who knows that he’s still got it, but now you start to lose a step as you get older,” he said, acknowledging the inevitable changes that come with age.
As Duhamel navigates the complexities of parenting and a demanding career, he remains committed to his role as a father, recognizing the need for growth and adaptation in both his personal and professional life. His reflections underscore the challenges many parents face in balancing work and family, highlighting the importance of collaboration and support in co-parenting.
In celebrating Fergie’s contributions as a mother, Duhamel reinforces the significance of shared responsibility and understanding in raising their children. Together, they work to ensure Axl and Shepherd thrive despite the demands of their respective careers.
