You’d think Hollywood is the only place where you can’t throw a rock without hitting a SAG-AFTRA member. Honestly, that’s just not the case anymore. There is this weird, quiet migration happening. People are trading the smog of the 405 for the humidity of Lake Minnetonka and the "mosquito-as-state-bird" reality of the Northwoods.
Why? Because famous people that live in Minnesota generally get left alone. It’s the "Minnesota Nice" thing, but with a side of "we don't care that you were in a Marvel movie, just move your truck."
If you’re walking through a Lunds & Byerlys in Edina or grabbing a coffee in Wayzata, you might actually be standing next to a multi-millionaire actor. They aren't always just visiting for the State Fair. Some have actually moved their entire lives here, or at least they keep a "doomsday cabin" tucked away in the trees where the paparazzi literally can't find them without a GPS and a sturdy pair of Red Wings.
The Josh Duhamel "Back to Basics" Movement
Let's talk about Josh Duhamel. Most people associate him with Transformers or his North Dakota roots, but he has become one of the most visible famous people that live in Minnesota lately. He didn't just buy a fancy condo in the North Loop, either.
Duhamel actually built what he calls a "doomsday cabin" on an off-grid lakeside property. We’re talking about a place that, for a long time, didn't even have running water or electricity. He’s been super vocal about how he needed to get away from the L.A. hustle to just "fix things with his hands." He’s often spotted around the state, and not just at Vikings games. He’s living that lake life for real, raising his kids to appreciate the simple stuff—like not having a cell signal.
🔗 Read more: Jeremy Renner Accident Recovery: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
It’s a vibe.
The Mystery of Jessica Lange’s Northland Retreat
Then you have the legends. Jessica Lange is basically Minnesota royalty. Born in Cloquet, she’s drifted in and out of the state for decades. For a long time, she and Sam Shepard were the "it" couple of Stillwater. They lived in a beautiful home there, but eventually, Lange sold it. She famously said the town felt "yuppified" and didn't feel like a real place anymore.
Does she still live here? Sorta.
She keeps a cabin near Holyoke, about an hour away from Duluth. She’s been quoted saying there is no place she’d rather be. During the pandemic, she escaped New York and headed straight for that cabin. You won't find her on a red carpet in Minneapolis, but she’s out there in the wolf-filled woods, probably taking photos (she’s a killer photographer, by the way) and enjoying the fact that nobody is asking her for an autograph while she buys milk.
💡 You might also like: Kendra Wilkinson Photos: Why Her Latest Career Pivot Changes Everything
Other Heavy Hitters in the Neighborhood
- Bob Dylan: He’s the ultimate enigma. Does he live here? He and his brother own a massive spread of land in Hanover. While he’s a global nomad, the "Zimmerman" roots are deep. Local legend says he’s been spotted at small-town bars, but he’s like Bigfoot—the photos are always blurry.
- Justin Vernon (Bon Iver): Okay, he’s technically a Wisconsin guy (Eau Claire represent), but he’s a constant fixture in the Twin Cities. He lived in Lowry Hill for a stretch and is frequently seen wandering around Lake of the Isles.
- Andrew Zimmern: The man who ate everything. He’s a transplant from New York, but he is a die-hard Minnesotan now. You can catch him at the State Fair for all 12 days. Seriously. He lives in the metro area and is probably the state's biggest culinary cheerleader.
Why Athletes Stay After the Contract Ends
It’s one thing to live here because the Timberwolves or the Vikings are paying you millions. It’s another thing to stay after you retire.
Joe Mauer is the poster child for this. Born and raised in St. Paul, played his whole career for the Twins, and he’s still here. He’s just a guy in the community now. Same goes for several former Vikings players who realized that $5 million goes a lot further in Orono than it does in Malibu.
Kevin Garnett had a legendary estate on Lake Minnetonka—a 7-acre peninsula that recently sold for around $9 million. While he’s moved on, that house remains a monument to the kind of "discreet luxury" the area offers. It’s not about being flashy; it’s about having 1,300 feet of shoreline where the only thing looking at you is a loon.
The "Quiet" Celebrity Hotspots
If you’re looking for famous people that live in Minnesota, you have to know where to look. They aren't in the suburbs with the cookie-cutter houses.
📖 Related: What Really Happened With the Brittany Snow Divorce
- Wayzata & Lake Minnetonka: This is the big one. It’s the closest thing we have to the Hamptons. High-end dining, boutiques, and massive gated estates.
- Kenwood: This Minneapolis neighborhood is old money. It’s where the houses look like they belong in a movie, and the residents have names you’d recognize from the side of a museum building.
- The North Shore: This is for the "I want to disappear" celebrities. Think Jessica Lange or various indie musicians. If you go far enough past Lutsen, the only neighbors you have are bears.
Honestly, the appeal of Minnesota for the rich and famous is the lack of "celebrity culture." In L.A., your existence is a commodity. In Minnesota, you're just another person struggling to get their snowblower started in January. There’s a grounding effect to the weather here. It doesn't matter if you have an Oscar; if it’s -20°F, your car might not start.
Actionable Tips for Aspiring Local Star-Gazers
If you're trying to spot some of these folks, don't be weird about it. Minnesotans pride themselves on being chill.
- Check the Arts Scene: Famous locals often support the Guthrie or the Walker Art Center.
- The State Fair: It’s the great equalizer. From Chris Pratt (who grew up in Virginia, MN) to local news legends, everyone goes to the fair.
- Lake Minnetonka Restaurants: Places in Wayzata or Excelsior are your best bet during the summer months.
The reality is that famous people that live in Minnesota choose this place for the same reason the rest of us do: the quality of life is high, the people are (mostly) decent, and the water is everywhere. Just remember, if you see Josh Duhamel at a hardware store, let the man buy his hammer in peace. He’s probably got a cabin to fix.
If you want to explore the history of these icons, your best bet is to head north to Hibbing for the Dylan sites or hit up Paisley Park in Chanhassen. Even though Prince is gone, his presence is the blueprint for how to be a global superstar while never leaving the 612. Take a tour of Paisley Park; it’s the most intimate look you’ll ever get into the life of a genius who chose Minnesota over every other place on Earth.