While most stars are busy trying to stay in the spotlight, Josh Duhamel is chopping wood and living that off-grid life when he’s not on-screen. Yep, we’re talking about the “Transformers” star. Turns out, he’s not about that L.A. hustle as much anymore—and has officially immersed himself into family life in Minnesota. And let’s be real: it kind of sounds like the best of both worlds.
Cabin Life > City Life
Duhamel started constructing his remote cabin in Minnesota over 15 years ago (with his own two hands, no less), and now it’s his full-time vibe. No Whole Foods down the street, no Uber; just him, the fam, and a lot of trees. “Part of the reason I built my place out in Minnesota, deep in the woods, is it’s removed from everything,” he recently told Parade.
At one point, the place didn’t even have running water. Now? It’s a fully off-grid setup where he, wife Audra Mari, baby Shepherd, and his older son Axl (who he shares with ex Fergie) get to unplug, hang out, and live that simple, screen-free life. He’s basically turned into the cool mountain dad who chops wood and fixes things without Googling it. Power move.
It’s Just Real Life
After his split from Fergie in 2019, Duhamel admitted that their lifestyles didn’t mesh. It seems he wanted the woods, she wanted the spotlight. Fair. But now with Audra, who shares his love for nature and a quieter life, he’s built something that’s more aligned with who he is.
He’s not chasing attention—he’s chasing a legacy. He’s raising his kids with more dirt under their nails and less time on TikTok, and to be truthful? That’s refreshing. “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.” Duhamel said (per Parade). A peaceful place with zero paparazzi and maximum dad energy? We’re here for it.
So, Josh Duhamel’s out in the woods, being a whole vibe. And he might be onto something; we could all use a bit of fresh air this year.
What He’s Working On Next (When He’s Not Chopping Wood)
Don’t let the off-grid life fool you—Duhamel isn’t done with Hollywood just yet. He’s got a full slate of upcoming projects lined up for 2025 and beyond, proving you can live in the woods and still stay booked and busy.
Duhamel stars in “Ransom Canyon,” a 10-episode Western drama dropping April 17, 2025, where he plays Staten Kirkland. Family feuds, romance, small-town drama; “Yellowstone” fans, consider this your next fix. Then comes “Not Without Hope” on May 8, 2025, based on the true story of four men lost at sea. Duhamel plays Timothy Close. Bring tissues.
“Off the Grid” (yep, that’s really the title) hits in July 2025 and follows a scientist hiding an experiment in Europe. The irony is delicious, given Duhamel’s own cabin-core lifestyle. Still in post-production is “The Neglected,” a moody crime thriller where he plays Detective Shaw. No release date yet, but expect serious cop energy.
Also on deck: “Preschool,” currently in-production, is a dad-comedy about getting kids into a fancy preschool. Sounds chaotic in the best way. And “Full Throttle Mindset,” in pre-production, which has Duhamel playing Todd Beckman in what’s described as a story tied to a drug empire.
Long story short? Josh Duhamel might be off the grid, but his IMDb is definitely not.