Josh Duhamel is embracing a simpler way of life — and he’s not shy about how much he loves it.
In a recent interview with Extra, published March 20, the 53-year-old actor opened up about his off-the-grid lifestyle and the rustic retreat he’s built for his family.
Speaking with host Derek Hough, Duhamel shared that while he still works in Hollywood, his heart is firmly rooted in the Midwest.
“We live in North Dakota, but our cabin is just across the border in Minnesota,” he said. “So we spend a lot of time out there.”
The cabin — which he’s previously referred to as a kind of “doomsday” escape — has become a central part of his life with wife Audra Mari and their growing family.
Duhamel Is Set to Welcome a Daughter
The couple is currently preparing to welcome a baby girl, a milestone Duhamel says he’s especially excited about.
While Los Angeles remains part of the picture for work commitments, Duhamel said his family prefers to spend most of the time back in Minnesota.
“We spend a majority of our time” in Minnesota, he said. “It’s very cold this time of year, so it’s not ideal, but I truly could live out there all year round if it weren’t for work.”
Duhamel Explains Why He Raises His Family Outside of Hollywood
For Duhamel, the appeal goes far beyond scenery.
It’s about the lifestyle — one he says allows his children to experience a more grounded upbringing.
He explained how it’s the best of both worlds for his children. They get to see both rustic life and Hollywood.
“They’re just exploring. They’re swimming. They’re jet skiing. They’re skiing. It’s a pretty special place,” he shared.
The actor has spoken before about feeling drawn back to his roots.
In a previous interview with People back in August 2025, he described a deeper need to reconnect with hands-on living.
“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 — to fix things, make things and just do the basic things that we take for granted,” he said.
That mindset is reflected in the cabin itself, a project he spent more than 15 years developing.
Starting with raw land, Duhamel gradually transformed the property into a functional home — a far cry from his early days there, when even washing dishes meant heading to a nearby lake.
The off-grid lifestyle has also influenced his creative work.
