Josh Duhamel’s Off-Grid Life in Minnesota is Just Like ‘Ransom Canyon’: ‘Back to the Basics’ & Family
The star shares why going off-grid helps him stay grounded and close to his kids
Josh Duhamel’s outdoorsy Ransom Canyon persona, as it turns out, isn’t too far off from his true self. The North Dakota native, who became known for his roles in shows like Las Vegas and films like Transformers (2007), Safe Haven (2013) and Life As We Know It (2010), has traded life in the Hollywood hills for a residence that’s more than a little bit off the grid—and the life he’s created there over the last decade or so is just what he needed.
In conversation with Parade, the 52-year-old actor and father of two detailed his isolated midwestern property where he spends his free time. “Part of the reason I built my place out in Minnesota, deep in the woods, is it’s removed from everything,” the actor shared. “The closest store is 40 miles away. Once we get there, it’s really about everybody taking care of each other—making memories, spending time with family and friends. You really get a chance to get back to the basics. You’re not consumed by all these other distractions. When you’re out there, it’s really about having fun, making sure everybody’s warm, everybody’s got food and water.”
Josh Duhamel talks off-grid family time
Duhamel is a father to two: His oldest son, Axl, was born back in 2013 when he was married to musician Fergie, and in 2022, he and his now-wife Audra Mari tied the knot, and just last year, welcomed a baby boy, Shepherd. Raising children in LA was something that he put a lot of thought into, saying, “Growing up in LA, I don’t want to raise a kid who feels entitled to anything,” he told HuffPost Live per Daily Mail. “I want him to understand the importance of working hard and getting an education.”
That being said, his off-grid residence allows a different kind of father-son experience for him and his boys. “My son is going to have memories of this place forever,” he shared with Parade. “He’s not on his iPad when he’s out there. He’s out there in the boat with me, or he’s playing soccer on the beach, or he’s out there in the woods doing whatever I’m doing. And then I have a little baby who’s going to experience the same thing. Someday, I hope to pass this on to them [so] they’re able to share it with their kids. It’s really important to me that they have this. It’s not just about having all the amenities and all the luxuries that we become so used to. It’s really about family. It’s about legacy.”
Additionally, Duhamel has found that his relationship with his parents has improved and he, his mom and his dad have grown closer, having a hub where they spend time together without so many distractions. Whether he’s making blockbuster films, gripping TV series or enjoying life disconnected from the hustle and bustle, Josh Duhamel knows what he’s doing!
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