Josh Duhamel has traded the glamour of Hollywood for a simpler, self-sufficient life in Minnesota. The Ransom Canyon star, 52, says the decision wasn’t about leaving acting behind, but about answering a deep call to reconnect with nature, work with his hands, and focus on what matters most: family, friends, and the simple joys of life.
From Hollywood Lights to a Rustic “Doomsday Cabin”
Duhamel revealed in a new interview with People that while he still loves making movies and TV shows, something inside him pushed him toward a different kind of fulfillment.
“I make movies and TV shows, and I love it, I truly do love it, but I had this calling to go and really do things with my hands again,” he said. “Fix things, make things, and just do the basic things that we take for granted.”
More than a decade ago, the actor purchased an empty half-parcel of land near Fargo, North Dakota. Over the years, he transformed it into a rustic lakeside retreat — which he now calls his doomsday cabin.
“We’re at a place now where it feels done,” he shared. “It’s completely livable now.”
For Duhamel, the project is about more than just a cabin. It’s about staying true to his roots, getting back to basics, and honing survival skills in a world dominated by technology.
Life in the Woods With Family, Wildlife, and a Few Challenges
These days, Duhamel’s greatest joy comes from spending time in nature with his wife Audra Mari, their 18-month-old son Shepherd, and his 11-year-old son Axl, whom he shares with ex-wife Fergie.
“That’s family, that’s friends, that’s making memories,” he said of his new lifestyle.
Life in the deep woods has its magical moments — bald eagles soaring overhead, otters swimming with their babies — but also a few less glamorous realities.
“We are constantly fighting the mice from getting into the cabins,” Duhamel joked. “That’s a constant man versus nature struggle we deal with.”
For Josh Duhamel, this change isn’t an escape from Hollywood — it’s a return to who he truly is. And he has no plans to turn back.