Netflix’s newest Western, Ransom Canyon, is stirring up all kinds of buzz — and it’s not hard to see why. The series follows Staten Kirkland (played by Josh Duhamel), Minka Kelly’s Quinn O’Grady, and other members of three rival ranching families in a small Texas town, all caught up in a battle for their land — not to mention plenty of romance and drama along the way. (And yes, if you’re curious, scroll to the bottom for a peek at the Ransom Canyon trailer.)
In real life, Josh Duhamel’s living situation isn’t all that different from his character’s. Even though the Life As We Know It star originally hails from Minot, North Dakota, and spent years living the Hollywood life in Los Angeles, these days he’s planted roots somewhere much quieter — and a whole lot wilder.
Why He Left Hollywood Behind
Talking to Entertainment Tonight, Josh opened up about his decision to settle down at his lakeside property in northwest Minnesota. “I love it,” he said simply. “Maybe it’s not for everybody, but when I bought this place 16 years ago, it was literally nothing — just a piece of land.”
He added, “I thought, ‘I have to do it.’ I wanted to build it up myself, shape it into something special. It’s given me a real sense of purpose when I’m not working.”
Josh laughed as he admitted that his life today looks a lot different than his days in L.A.: “I didn’t even own a lawn mower there. Out here, I’m on a tractor all day, building stuff, teaching my kids… I love it.”
How His Kids Are Adjusting to the Country Life
Josh shares 11-year-old son Axl with his ex-wife, singer Fergie, and welcomed his second son, Shepherd, with his wife Audra Mari just last year.
Reflecting on their big lifestyle change, Josh said: “It’s like two totally different worlds. But I think it’s the best thing for my boys — teaching them the basics, stuff that a lot of us have either forgotten or never learned.”
He added that Axl, who spent his early years growing up in the hustle of Hollywood, has fully embraced lake life. “He loves it. There’s this little group of six or seven boys his age — which is crazy because it’s not a big lake and there aren’t that many people around. But he looks forward to it every time.”
Josh smiled as he described their lakeside adventures: “We have soccer tournaments on the beach. We’re jet skiing, tubing… It’s been so much fun.”
Inside His “Doomsday Cabin”
In a chat with Country Living, Josh gave a deeper glimpse into his beloved rural retreat, which he jokingly calls his “doomsday cabin.” It’s about 40 minutes away from the nearest town — and that’s exactly the point. “It’s like you can finally exhale when you get there,” he said.
Josh reminisced about the early days on the land: “When we first started, it was basically homesteading. For the first 12 years, we didn’t even have plumbing. We used outhouses and washed dishes in the lake.”
Over time, he’s added some modern comforts — but the rugged charm remains. “I didn’t just buy this place,” he said proudly. “I shaped it. Even with all the improvements, it still feels like you’re roughing it a little. And honestly? I love that.”
