Josh Duhamel Facts: Celebrities Who Started On Soaps

Josh Duhamel is best known for his work in the Transformers films, Win a Date With Tad Hamilton, Safe Haven, and Love, Simon. But the handsome actor got his start on soaps.

Duhamel has also made a name for himself in television, as he starred on the NBC show Las Vegas. From winning a modeling competition to his personal life in the public eye, here are five fast facts about the actor.

Who Is Josh Duhamel?

Duhamel was born on November 14 in Minot, North Dakota. He attended Minot State University and was the quarterback of the school’s football team. He planned on going to dental school post-graduation, but he ended up dropping out just one-and-a-half credits shy of earning his undergrad degree.

Male Model of the Year
After leaving school, Duhamel moved out to California to follow an ex-girlfriend. He ended up winning Male Model of the Year in an International Modeling and Talent Association competition, and coincidentally beat Ashton Kutcher before he was famous. Duhamel then started working as a music video extra.

Soap Beginnings
Duhamel was cast as Leo du Pres on All My Children in 1999 and won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2002 for his performance. He ended up leaving the show in 2002 to pursue other acting jobs.

Picked by Spielberg Himself

Duhamel was cast in the Transformers franchise as Captain William Lennox in 2007, but it was all because Steven Spielberg himself picked the actor for the part! Spielberg, who was an executive producer on the movie, saw Duhamel in an episode of his show Las Vegas and thought he would be perfect for the part.

Getting Personal
Duhamel started dating singer Fergie in September 2004 after she appeared on an episode of Las Vegas with her band, The Black Eyed Peas. The couple tied the knot on January 10, 2009 and welcomed their son in August 2013. They announced their separation in September 2017.