Josh Duhamel, the 52-year-old actor known for his role in ‘Transformers,’ has gone public with his thoughts on preparing for a potential global catastrophe. During a recent interview with People magazine, the actor revealed he is only 70% prepared to survive an apocalypse at his off-grid Minnesota cabin, which he has spent 15 years building. When asked about his family’s readiness, he admitted, “Well, I have enough,” but added, “Probably 70%.”
Duhamel, who left his Hollywood life behind to live in isolation, discussed the need to sharpen his survival skills. “I could be a better hunter, I could be a better fisherman. I could stockpile a little more food supply,” he said. He emphasized the importance of self-sufficiency, noting that the closest store is 40 miles away and that the future would rely heavily on community bonds.
Living off-grid has been a significant lifestyle shift for Duhamel, who now resides in the cabin with his wife Audra Mari and their 1-year-old son Shepherd. Their 11-year-old son Axl, whom Duhamel shares with his ex-wife Fergie, also spends time at the home. The actor has previously mentioned that the cabin is about an hour and a half from Fargo, North Dakota, and that the property started as a half parcel of land before he expanded it.
Duhamel shared that he and his family initially lived without running water, electricity, or other modern comforts. “You’re not consumed by all these other distractions,” he said. “When you’re out there, it’s really about having fun, making sure everybody’s warm, everybody’s got food and water.” He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to reconnect with his roots and embrace a more rustic lifestyle, explaining that the constant distractions of fame and technology had kept him from basic skills for too long.
While some might perceive his off-grid home as a doomsday prepper lifestyle, Duhamel clarified that it was more about living authentically. “I don’t think that we’re in any dire situation that we have to worry about prepping for doomsday, but it is good to have some of those skills,” he told People. “I was getting so far away from it for so long, that I felt like I wanted to get back to some of that.”
Duhamel also mentioned his concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence, which has further motivated his desire to return to a simpler, more self-reliant way of life. Despite the challenges of living off-grid, he remains focused on creating a sustainable and fulfilling environment for his family, where the core values of togetherness and preparedness are paramount.