Actor Josh Duhamel prioritizes raising his sons in a secluded Minnesota cabin rather than the bustling environment of Hollywood.
In a recent conversation with Fox News Digital, Duhamel emphasized the unique opportunities his 11-year-old son, Axl, has to learn practical skills in their rural setting—something unavailable in Los Angeles.
“It’s really about creating lasting memories as a family,” he explained. “My parents and my wife’s parents love visiting, and so does Axl. L.A. is great, but it’s good for him to get his hands dirty, helping me with tasks around the property.”
He recounted an instance where Axl was less than enthusiastic about assisting with a fallen tree: “We had a tree that fell in winter and needed chopping up, loading onto the side-by-side, and stacking. He wasn’t thrilled at first, but I think he’ll appreciate it later when he needs to do this kind of work himself—these are valuable lessons.”
Duhamel shares Axl with his ex-wife, Fergie, and recently married Audra Mari, welcoming a one-year-old son, Shepherd, into their family.
He highlighted the self-sufficiency fostered by their remote location – 40 miles from any amenities. “We pretty much fend for ourselves out here,” Duhamel said. “The kids need to learn these skills, and they won’t get that in L.A. They also love it! They enjoy jet skiing and tubing on the lake.”
Living away from the city has allowed Duhamel a sense of detachment.
“As soon as I arrive here, something shifts—my blood pressure drops. It’s not about my phone or anything else; it’s about ensuring we have what we need to survive. We make sure we’re stocked with groceries. Just yesterday, the septic tank froze, and we had to figure out how to thaw it ourselves. There’s no calling a professional—it’s just us.”
He continued, “It’s about returning to basics: securing food and water, staying warm, then enjoying life. It’s about not taking everyday luxuries for granted.”
Duhamel playfully refers to his property as a “doomsday cabin,” accessible via a two-mile dirt path. He spent 15 years acquiring land and constructing the rustic retreat, eventually expanding it with a hunting shack and a separate home.
“It’s a charming little red cabin with a stone chimney overlooking the water—it’s like stepping into a Terry Redlin painting,” he shared.
His current role in Netflix’s “Ransom Canyon” resonates deeply with his own values. He portrays Staten Kirkland, a man determined to protect his land and community in a small Texas town.
“I connected with Stan from the start because of my upbringing in North Dakota and my pride in the cabin property I’ve built over the years,” Duhamel stated. “While I don’t have cattle or horses, I do have tractors and everything else needed to manage a ranch.”
The series explores Stan’s journey after experiencing profound loss—the death of his wife and son one year prior to the show’s start. Duhamel enjoys delving into the character’s struggles and helping him re-engage with life.
“It was a lot of fun; I love this world, this character, and we have a fantastic cast and team behind it,” he concluded. The series features Minka Kelly, James Brolin, and Jack Schumacher and is currently available on Netflix.
Duhamel believes everyone could benefit from experiencing life outside the constant connectivity of modern society.
“It’s always enjoyable to have friends visit. It takes a couple of days to adjust, being away from everything, but they quickly embrace it. I think a taste of that kind of simplicity is good for people—we’re often lost in our phones and the information constantly fed to us. Stepping away offers a fresh perspective.”
