Ransom Canyon star Minka Kelly's life from 'chaotic' childhood to high-profile romance

Netflix's new Western drama Ransom Canyon has galloped onto the streamer, featuring the talented Minka Kelly as Quinn O'Grady.

The latest Netflix Original revolves around three ranch families, and fans have quickly become infatuated with Kelly's character Quinn.

Quinn is portrayed as a skilled concert pianist who after a stint in New York, returns to her roots to reboot her life amid the familiar faces of family.

As the binge-watches pile up for this Netflix Western, subscribers are clamouring to uncover the real-life details of the woman who brings Quinn to life.

Here's everything there is to know about Minka Kelly's life away from the cameras.

Minka Kelly's childhood was fraught with challenges in Los Angeles, raised by her mother Maureen, a single parent and exotic dancer coping with financial strains.

It was so severe that, according to People, they lived in a storage unit at one point because rent was unmanageable.

Minka also often accompanied her mother to the strip club where she worked, namely the Crazy Girls venue in LA.

Minka recalls: "If she made a lot of money that night, we'd go grocery shopping at 2am.

"My childhood was colorful and chaotic, unstable and inconsistent, unpredictable and hard a lot of the times. But the silver lining is that it made me a very adaptable person."

At age 17, to make ends meet, Minka even performed in peep shows at an adult video store in Albuquerque as her mum continued to abandon her for long periods at a time.

Minka Kelly opens up about her past in the 2023 memoir "Tell Me Everything," confessing: "I started with the scariest part.

"The part that I carried the most shame about, the part that I felt the most embarrassed of, the part that I hid my whole life, and the part that I've had people make me feel bad about.

"And I felt like that was just where I had to be the most brave."

The actress, daughter of former Aerosmith guitarist Rick Dufay, recounts her estranged relationship with her father.

Dufay met Minka's mother in a Los Angeles recording studio in 1979, but their brief romance ended as he left for an Aerosmith tour, unprepared for fatherhood.

In an interview with People, Minka reflects on her feelings towards her absent father: "I used to be really angry at him for not being there for my younger years, but I think that everything happens as it's supposed to."

Determined to forge a bond with her dad, Minka moved in with him during a pivotal time in her life, staying until she found her own place.

While pursuing her acting career, she worked as a scrub nurse and modelled, eventually landing a role in NBC's hit show "Friday Night Lights."

Minka has been candid about the challenges of reconnecting with her father, sharing on Instagram: "When I was ready, he was there. It was a very bumpy road to start but we found our way. Thank god for therapy.

"We still drive each other nuts sometimes but I can honestly say that I'm not sure where I'd be without him today."

Minka and her mother had been estranged for a significant period until Maureen's diagnosis with colon cancer and given two years to live.

"When [my mom] got sick, she and I were not on speaking terms", Minka recounted.

"I didn't want to be burdened with her anymore. I wanted to live my life, and I was mad at her for being irresponsible and not taking care of herself. I just didn't want to believe it."

However, after confronting her mother about their troubled past, Minka recognised the remorse in Maureen.

The star reflected: "She's already broken. What is the point of pouring salt on the wound? I'm fine. I just want to take care of her right now."

Maureen's final days were spent in a hospice in Albuquerque, where she passed away in 2008 at the age of 51, with Minka by her side.

In her personal life, Minka has been linked to Imagine Dragons' frontman Dan Reynolds since 2022.

The singer told People about their connection, saying they communicated by phone for weeks before meeting due to a mutual acquaintance.

He revealed: "After about a month, we met in person, and ever since then, we've been attached at the hip.

"Minka and I are in a really happy, healthy relationship."

At 37, Minka even secured a cameo for Dan in her project Ransom Canyon when he visited her on set.

She enthused: "He came to visit and everyone, all the producers and writers, just naturally fell in love with him, like you do. It's easy to love Dan."

Ransom Canyon is available to watch on Netflix.