The new year may not be a good start for many residents of Los Angeles as wildfires sweep through California, particularly affecting the Pacific Palisades and Malibu areas. Numerous communities have been devastated, displacing many residents, including several Hollywood celebrities, since the fires ignited on Tuesday, January 7.
Strong winds and dry conditions exacerbated the initial outbreaks, resulting in a rapid spread of fire across the region.
Scorching thousands of acres, the wildfires have already destroyed over 1,900 structures and led to the evacuation of more than 130,000 people—a number that continues to rise.
As no one is safe from this devastation, here are the Hollywood stars affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.
Mandy Moore
One of the many stars deeply affected by the wildfires is Mandy Moore. Best known for her role in This Is Us, the 40-year-old actress lost her home in the Altadena neighborhood, located roughly 30 miles east of the Palisades.
Moore expressed her heartbreak on Instagram, sharing several clips of the devastating aftermath. She admitted to being “in shock and feeling numb” over the loss.
“My children’s school is gone. Our favorite restaurants, leveled. So many friends and loved ones have lost everything too,” she wrote.
Despite the tragedy, Moore remains resilient. “Our community is broken, but we will rebuild together,” she added.
Jamie Lee Curtis
Academy Award-winning star Jamie Lee Curtis is also facing significant challenges as her community—and possibly her home—is affected by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
Although the Halloween Scream Queen confirmed that her family is safe, her heart aches for her neighbors and friends who stand to lose their homes.
“It is a terrifying situation, and I’m grateful to the firefighters and all the good Samaritans who are helping people escape the blaze,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
Curtis also expressed sorrow over the loss of a church that held deep personal significance for her. While she acknowledged these as “tough times,” she remained hopeful, stating, “We will persevere.”
Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton was left “heartbroken” after her home was engulfed in the apocalyptic inferno. In an emotional Instagram post, she shared a clip from ABC News showing her Malibu home “burning to the ground on live TV.”
“This is something no one should ever have to experience,” she wrote. “This home was where we built so many precious memories.”
Despite the overwhelming loss, Hilton expressed gratitude that her family and pets are safe.
“My heart and prayers go out to every family affected by these fires,” she continued. “To all the people who have lost their homes, their memories, and their beloved pets, I am thinking of you.”
Mark Hamill
Mark Hamill had no choice but to evacuate his home at the “last minute” as wildfires continued to sweep through Los Angeles.
In an Instagram post, he shared that there were already “small fires on both sides of the road” as they approached Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).
Thankfully, by 8:15 PM on January 7, Hamill, his wife Marilou York, and their dog Trixie arrived safely at his daughter Chelsea’s home in Hollywood.
Having witnessed the wildfire firsthand, the Star Wars icon described it as the “most horrific fire since ’93,” referencing the blaze that devastated the area from late October to early November, burning over 175,000 acres and destroying more than 700 homes and structures.
“Stay safe,” he urged in his heartfelt message.
Cary Elwes
Cary Elwes documented his evacuation from Malibu in an Instagram post.
While driving down the winding Los Angeles roads, overlooking what has been described as the apocalyptic Palisades Fire, the Princess Bride star briefly stopped to capture the blaze through his car window.
The following day, he updated his fans, sharing that while he and his family were safe, their home had been destroyed.
“Sadly, we did lose our home, but we are grateful to have survived this truly devastating fire,” he wrote in another post. “Our hearts go out to all the families impacted by this tragic event.”
Elwes also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the firefighters, first responders, and law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly day and night to combat the fires.
James Woods
James Woods broke down in tears during a CNN interview as he recounted evacuating his Pacific Palisades home amid the deadly Los Angeles wildfires.
The 77-year-old actor shared that his wife, Sara Miller-Woods, received help from her niece after the fires destroyed their home, which he described as having a paradise-like view before the devastation.
“I’m sorry, it’s just… one day you’re in the pool, and the next it’s all gone,” he said, his voice breaking as tears filled his eyes.
Woods also recalled the harrowing moments of their evacuation, revealing that they left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. He expressed deep concern for their 94-year-old neighbor, who had dementia and lived alone.
Fearing for the man’s safety, Woods contacted the police and requested a wellness check. The elderly man was found alone in his pantry.
“There was so much chaos,” Woods continued. “It was like an inferno. Every house around us was on fire.”
Billy Crystal
Billy Crystal is deeply devastated after watching the home he and his wife, Janice Crystal, shared for over 40 years burn in the wildfire.
In a statement shared with CNN, the 76-year-old star expressed that no words could capture the enormity of the devastation they had witnessed and experienced.
“We ache for our friends and neighbors who have also lost their homes and businesses in this tragedy,” he said.
Billy and Janice had lived in their home since 1970, raising their children and grandchildren there, and filling every inch of it with love and cherished memories.
Tragically, everything was taken away in the blink of an eye.
Anthony Hopkins
Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins has tragically become one of the victims of the Los Angeles wildfires.
His $6 million Pacific Palisades home, a stunning four-bedroom, five-bathroom property purchased in 2021, has been reduced to rubble. All that remains are the charred gates, standing as a haunting reminder of what was once a gorgeous estate.
The legendary actor often shared glimpses of his home on social media, making the loss even more poignant for his fans.
Sadly, this isn’t the first time Hopkins has lost a home to fire. In 2018, his property was severely damaged after being threatened by the Woolsey Fire. Earlier, in 2000, his London residence was also destroyed by fire.
In addition to these stars, many other celebrities residing in or near the affected areas, including Eugene Levy, Tom Hanks, Ben Affleck, Reese Witherspoon, Adam Sandler, and Steven Spielberg, have been impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires.
The catastrophic event has also disrupted several Hollywood events and productions planned for awards season, leading to a delay in the announcement of the Oscar nominations.