Yellowstone's Luke Grimes Says Locals 'Not Happy' He Moved to Montana

The actor reveals backlash from Montana residents over his relocation from Los Angeles

Mar. 15, 2026 at 6:51pm

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Luke Grimes, known for his role on the hit TV series Yellowstone, has revealed that locals in Montana are not happy about him and his family moving to the state from Los Angeles. The 42-year-old actor said residents have been hostile towards him and his wife Bianca Rodrigues Grimes, going as far as vandalizing their friends' car with the message 'go back' after a hike. Grimes also expressed concerns about his safety, saying he can no longer go to bars in the area because people are eager to start fights with him.

Why it matters

Grimes' experience highlights the tensions that can arise when Hollywood celebrities move to smaller, tight-knit communities, as locals may feel their way of life is being encroached upon. This case raises questions about the impact of gentrification, the rights of long-time residents, and how communities can navigate an influx of new residents from different backgrounds.

The details

According to Grimes, after he and his wife decided to leave Los Angeles and move to Montana full-time with their 17-month-old son Rigel, locals have been unwelcoming. The actor said that when his friends from California visited them and went on a hike, someone wrote 'go back' in the dust on their car. Grimes also said he can no longer go to bars in the area because people are eager to start fights with him, worried he might sue them. Despite the challenges, Grimes said he has no regrets about the move and is enjoying the quieter pace of life in Montana.

  • Grimes and his family moved to Montana full-time with their son Rigel, who is 17 months old.

The players

Luke Grimes

A 42-year-old actor known for his role on the TV series Yellowstone, who recently moved from Los Angeles to Montana with his wife and son.

Bianca Rodrigues Grimes

Luke Grimes' wife, who moved with him and their son from Los Angeles to Montana.

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What they’re saying

“They're not happy about it. The valley that I live in, we had some people come visit us. Our friends from California drove out, and we went on a hike, and they had Cali plates. We get off the hike, and someone had written 'go back' in the dust on their car. Like, people are super weird about it, so I don't tell anyone exactly where I'm at because they would get really mad at me.”

— Luke Grimes, Actor (The Joe Rogan Experience podcast)

“I can't go to bars there anymore because whatever that one idiot is, is at the bar, and he can't wait to start a fight with me. Just like can't wait to do it because it's a win-win for him, you know? He gets to sue me or something. I don't know, but it's a lose-lose for me.”

— Luke Grimes, Actor (The Joe Rogan Experience podcast)

The takeaway

This case highlights the tensions that can arise when high-profile individuals move from major cities to smaller communities, as locals may feel their way of life is being disrupted. It raises questions about how communities can balance welcoming new residents while also preserving their local culture and identity.