Far removed from the carefully crafted Hollywood image seen on red carpets and in entertainment headlines, Josh Duhamel says his true personality is much more grounded. Away from cameras, he is a hands-on family man who enjoys a quieter lifestyle, spending his time maintaining his property, working with his equipment, and creating lasting memories with his loved ones. That down-to-earth side of him has become even more visible as he embraces his role as a father of three, including his newest addition, baby girl Rocca, whom he welcomed with his wife Audra Mari.

During a recent conversation with “Extra,” Josh opened up about his experience as a new girl dad while also discussing the upcoming second season of his hit series “Ransom Canyon.” Speaking about his two-month-old daughter, he shared how exciting it has been to watch her personality begin to develop. Josh admitted that she is still in the early stages of discovering the world around her, but one special moment stood out for him — finally seeing her smile at him.
The actor is already a father to two sons: Axl, 12, whom he shares with his former wife Fergie, and Shepherd, 2. While each child has reacted differently to the arrival of their baby sister, Josh said both boys have shown love toward Rocca, even if there have been some understandable adjustments.
According to Josh, Axl has a more relaxed reaction because he remembers what it was like when children were younger and understands the excitement of having a baby around. Shepherd, however, is experiencing the transition in a completely different way. Having recently been the youngest child in the family, he now has to adjust to sharing attention with someone new. Josh joked that Shepherd’s reaction is almost like, “I was the baby, and now you’re the baby,” describing the toddler’s mixed emotions as a combination of affection and a little jealousy.
Despite those small moments of adjustment, Josh emphasized that Shepherd truly loves his little sister and has been very sweet with her. He recognizes that these feelings are a natural part of growing up and becoming a sibling, especially for a young child who is learning how family dynamics can change.
Although many people know Josh for his acting career and his glamorous Hollywood appearances, his personal life reflects a much simpler lifestyle. He and his family spend time in North Dakota and also enjoy their cabin in Minnesota, where they embrace what he describes as a ranch-style way of living. Instead of spending all his free time surrounded by the entertainment industry, Josh prefers being outdoors and working with his hands.
He explained that he is often busy repairing things, operating his tractor, using his skid-steer, and taking care of the land. For Josh, this lifestyle is not just a hobby but something deeply connected to his values. He hopes the property can become a family legacy that will continue for generations. His dream is for his children and eventually their own children to enjoy the same place and maintain the connection to the land.
That personal connection to rural life made it easier for Josh to understand his character Staten in “Ransom Canyon.” The role of a rancher trying to protect and maintain his family’s land reflects many aspects of Josh’s own experiences. While Staten may be a traditional, old-fashioned man, Josh explained that the character is someone with good intentions who is still learning and growing.
Josh described Staten as someone who has not always done enough emotional work on himself and probably could have benefited from more self-reflection and therapy. However, he believes the character’s heart is in the right place. Even when Staten struggles or takes the wrong path, he ultimately wants to do what is right and protect the people he cares about.

While discussing the second season of “Ransom Canyon,” Josh also talked about the complicated relationship between Staten and Minka Kelly’s character Quinn. He jokingly admitted that when Quinn left for New York, he expected her to return with a different attitude. He imagined that after six months away, she might come back ready to apologize and recognize what she had left behind. Instead, things did not unfold exactly the way Staten hoped.
Minka Kelly explained that Quinn’s journey in New York allowed her to experience a new lifestyle and meet someone different. Being away from home made it easy for her to imagine that something new might be better than what she already had. However, she eventually realized that new does not always mean right.
Kelly pointed out that Quinn’s connection with Staten represents years of history and emotional attachment. Even though she explored another possibility, her heart eventually brought her back to what felt familiar and meaningful. She described the idea that something new can appear exciting from a distance, but when faced with reality, it may not compare to a genuine connection.
Quinn’s storyline also involves reflection on her relationship patterns, especially after conversations with her mother. She begins questioning whether she is repeating old habits — constantly searching for something better instead of working through difficulties. That realization forces her to consider whether she is chasing the idea of greener grass rather than appreciating what she already has.

For Josh Duhamel, both his real-life experiences and his role in “Ransom Canyon” share a common theme: family, commitment, and the importance of building something that lasts. Whether he is raising his children, caring for his property, or portraying a complicated ranch owner on screen, Josh continues to embrace a life centered around responsibility, connection, and staying true to himself.