From Paris Hilton to Adam Brody, Billy Crystal: California wildfires destroy celebrity homes | World News

Actor James Woods, famous for roles in “Casino” and “Nixon”, is one of the many whose homes were destroyed in Pacific Palisades. Speaking on CNN, Woods emotionally recounted the experience of watching his home go up in flames. “One day you’re swimming in the pool, and the next day it’s all gone,” he said. His wife’s eight-year-old niece even offered her piggy bank to help them rebuild.

Billy Crystal, star of “When Harry Met Sally” and “City Slickers”, also lost his home in Pacific Palisades, where he and his wife Janice had lived since 1979. In a statement, Crystal expressed deep sadness, sharing that the home was filled with decades of memories, having raised children and grandchildren there. “We are heartbroken, of course,” he said, but he remained hopeful, citing the support of family and friends to help them get through the difficult time.

Malibu: Paris Hilton’s devastating loss

Malibu, another celebrity enclave, has also been heavily affected by the wildfires. Heiress and socialite Paris Hilton revealed that her home in Malibu had been completely destroyed. Taking to Instagram, Hilton posted a heartfelt message about the pain of watching her house burn on live television. “Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground is something no one should ever have to experience,” she wrote.

Hilton reflected on the countless memories made at the property, noting that it was a special place for her and her family. In a heartfelt message to others affected by the fires, she expressed her condolences and prayers, acknowledging the shared trauma of losing one’s home in such a catastrophic event.

Rising stars and longtime residents affected

Actor Adam Brody, best known for his roles in “The O.C.” and “Nobody Wants This”, along with his wife Leighton Meester, lost their home in the fire as well. The couple, who live in the Pacific Palisades area, saw their property completely destroyed by the flames. Other stars, including Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag of “The Hills” fame, have also been affected, with Pratt posting videos online showing his house burning down.

Montag, who fled with her husband and child, expressed sadness about the loss of their home. “So our house is on fire, and we were able to get out in time, but I keep going over and over in my mind of the things I should’ve got,” she said tearfully, adding that safety was the most important thing.

A widespread toll on celebrities

The devastation has touched celebrities across the city. “This Is Us” actress Mandy Moore shared the shock and grief she felt as her family evacuated their home in the face of the fires. She described a scene of chaos, with homes, restaurants, and schools all destroyed by the blaze. In a poignant video, Moore expressed her disbelief at the destruction, admitting she felt “numb” to the loss.

Ben Affleck was also seen evacuating his home in Los Angeles and reportedly going to his ex-wife Jennifer Garner’s home.

Other stars like Ricki Lake, Sir Anthony Hopkins, John Goodman, and Anna Faris have also reportedly lost homes in the wildfires, adding to the list of high-profile residents affected by the destruction. Hopkins and Goodman were among those who had properties in the Pacific Palisades, where the flames have done significant damage.

Actor Miles Teller and his wife, Keleigh Sperry, were also among the victims of the fires. Sperry shared a heart-wrenching photo of the blaze on Instagram, using a broken heart emoji to convey the loss of their home. She urged others to leave water out for animals that may have been left behind in the evacuation.

Other stars who have been forced to flee include Star Wars’ actor Mark Hamill and Schitt’s Creek actor Eugene Levy. In a post on Instagram, Hamill called the blaze the “most horrific” since 1993, when 18,000 acres burned, destroying 323 homes in Malibu.

He said he had evacuated his Malibu house “so last-minute there [were] small fires on both sides of the road”.

Levy described to local media “black and intense” smoke over Temescal Canyon. “I couldn’t see any flames but the smoke was very dark,” he told the Los Angeles Times.

Jamie Lee Curtis said her home was safe but the situation was “gnarly”. “Obviously, there have been horrific fires in many places,” she said. “This is literally where I live. Everything the market, I shop in, the schools my kids go to. Friends – many, many, many friends – now have lost their homes.”

Curtis and her husband, fellow actor Christopher Guest, pledged $1 million “to start a fund of support for our great city and state and the great people who live and love there”.

Actor Cameron Mathison also shared a clip of his house reduced to smouldering ruins. “We are safe. But this is what’s left of our beautiful home,” the “General Hospital” star wrote. “Our home where our kids were raised and where they wanted to raise their own someday.”

Legendary songwriter Diane Warren, who composed classic hits including If I Could Turn Back Time and I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing, also lost her home. She posted a picture of the beachfront near her house, saying that the property she’s had for close to three decades was gone.

Actor Steve Guttenberg, known for Police Academy, stayed to help firefighters by moving cars to clear a path for incoming fire trucks. He urged fellow Pacific Palisades residents to leave the keys in their abandoned cars so they could be moved.

Wider impact of the wildfires

The wildfires in Los Angeles have not only displaced families and destroyed homes, but have also halted several entertainment industry events. The Oscar nominations were postponed by two days, and the premieres of films like “Unstoppable”, “Better Man”, and “Wolfman” were called off in light of the ongoing emergency.

Early estimates suggest that the damage from the fires could exceed $50 billion, as the flames continue to threaten more homes and structures. The fires, which have been fuelled by strong winds and dry conditions, show no sign of slowing, and authorities are bracing for further damage as they continue to battle the blazes.

With famous landmarks such as the Palisades Charter High School and communications towers on Mount Wilson also in danger, the threat to both lives and property remains critical.