Celebrities whose homes have burned down in worst ‘apocalyptic’ LA fires in history
A string of celebrities have lost their homes in the devastating wildfires raging across Los Angeles (Picture: Getty; Backgrid)
Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal and Sir Anthony Hopkins are among the celebrities to have lost their homes in the devastating wildfires raging across Los Angeles.
More than 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes as six fires rage throughout the city, with the latest tearing through the Hollywood Hills after the original blaze began in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood.
Five people are believed to have died as a result of the fires and at least 1,000 buildings have been destroyed, including the homes of several Hollywood stars.
This has been described as the most destructive fire in the city’s history, with historic areas left in smoke.
The fires continue to blaze and donations have been pledged by the likes of Apple TV Plus as well as actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who confirmed she is safe.
The Halloween icon said she and her family would send $1million (£812,000) to a ‘fund of support’ for anyone impacted.
Thousands of residents have lost their homes (Picture: AGUSTIN PAULLIER/AFP via Getty Images)
Tina Knowles
Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, has shared that her ‘tiny bungalow on the water’ in Malibu has been lost to the still-raging fires.
She posted a clip of her dolphin-spotting while staying in the bungalow just this past weekend to celebrate her birthday. In a heartfelt caption on Instagram, she added: ‘It was my favourite place, my sanctuary, my sacred Happy Place. Now it is gone.’
After thanking the ‘brave men and women’ in the fire department for their ‘dedication and bravery’ in tackling the fires, she gave her prayers to the five people understood to have died amid the devastation.
She concluded: ‘To the people who lost their homes and belongings, I can only imagine how it feels to lose properties and everything you own! My heart and deep prayers go out to all of you.
‘I cannot imagine the pain and suffering and fear that you are enduring.. I am praying diligently for our beautiful City of Los Angeles !! We are resilient though and we will recover! “This too shall pass”.’
Tina Knowles confirmed her Malibu bungalow has been lost in the LA fires (Picture: Maya Dehlin Spach/WireImage)
Paris Hilton
Socialite Hilton has said she was ‘heartbroken beyond words’ to witness her Malibu home ‘burn to the ground’ as she was watching the news with her family – including her son Phoenix and daughter London whom she shares with husband Carter Reum.
‘This home was where we built so many precious memories. It’s where Phoenix took his first steps and where we dreamed of building a lifetime of memories with London,’ she shared in a post on Instagram.
‘While the loss is overwhelming, I’m holding onto gratitude that my family and pets are safe.’
Paris Hilton’s Malibu property was completely destroyed (Picture: Paris Hilton/ Instagram/ ABC7)
The beach house was worth $8.4 million (Picture: Backgrid)
Paris Hilton watched her home ‘burn to the ground’ on live TV (Picture: Monica Schipper/ Getty Images)
Billy Crystal
Billy Crystal and his wife Janice have confirmed their home of 46 years has been completely destroyed.
‘Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing,’ they said in a joint statement.
‘Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away.
Billy Crystal’s property was destroyed in the fire (Picture: BACKGRID)
The star’s beautiful home was vast before being swallowed up by the fires (Picture: Google)
Billy Crystal pictured at the Emmy Awards in California (Picture: Michael Buckner/Variety/Getty)
‘We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this.’
They went on to describe the Pacific Palisades as a ‘resilient community of amazing people’.
John Goodman
All that stands of John Goodman’s home now is the fence (Picture: Backgrid)
John Goodman’s home was also razed in the fires (Picture: Apex/ Mega)
John Goodman has not addressed the fires (Picture: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
The actor, best known for his roles in TV show Roseanne and movies such as Big Lebowski and Blues Brothers, saw his $4.6million (£3.7m) Pacific Palisades home reduced to cinders in the blaze.
Nothing – not even a sign of furniture or the posessions that were inside the home – remains in the ashes.
The actor primarily resides in New Orleans with his wife of 36 years Anna Beth Goodman, so it’s unclear if the property was occupied when the fires took hold in the area.
The actor has yet to address the destruction that left the home completely levelled.
Sir Anthony Hopkins
Sir Anthony Hopkins’ home which he purchased in only a few years ago was destroyed in the devastating blaze.
Anthony Hopkins’ home was one of the many destroyed in the blaze (Picture: BACKGRID)
The $6 million Pacific Palisades home looked rather different in 2021 (Picture: Google)
The actor lived in Malibu for decades before relocating (Picture: David Livingston/Getty Images)
The Silence of the Lambs actor bought the four-bedroom, five-bathroom home in the Pacific Palisades area for $6 million (£4.9m) in 2021.
The home was devastated with just the foundations of the property remaining after the fire.
In November 2018, his former home narrowly escaped the Woolsey fire, and in 2000 he lost his home in Kensington, London to a fire.
Miles Teller
A burned van was seen on Miles Teller’s property after the fire passed through, incinerating the housein its path (Picture: Backgrid)
The home was beautiful before the devastation (Picture: Google)
Top Gun star Miles Teller also lost his home (Picture: Reuters)
Eugene Levy
Eugene Levy has revealed that he was forced to evacuate his home and found himself stuck in intense smoke and gridlock as he tried to flee.
‘The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon,’ The actor told the LA Times by phone. ‘I couldn’t see any flames but the smoke was very dark.’
It was later revealed his home, which he purchased for $3.9 million (£3.2m) was destroyed in the fire.
Eugene’s home was among the properties destroyed in the devastating Pacific Palisades wildfire (Picture: BACKGRID)
The property was purchased for $3.9million (Picture: Google)
Eugene is best known for his work on Schitt’s Creek (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)
James Woods
The 77-year-old actor revealed that his home has been destroyed by the fires, but his family escaped the blaze.
The actor, known forhis work on The Way We Were, The Onion Field and Oppenheimer, sobbed in an emotional interview.
He revealed that his niece offered to help restore the home with money from her piggy bank. He cried as he said ‘I’m sorry – it’s just one day you’re in the pool, and the next, it’s all gone.’
Adam Brody and Leighton Meester
Adam Brody and Leighton Meester’s home was destroyed in the fire.
The acting couple purchased the home in 2019, living there with their two children, who they keep largely out of the spotlight.
At the time of the purchase, reports revealed the home was over 6,000 square feet and featured five bedrooms and six bathrooms.
Just days before, Leighton and Adam had been at the Golden Globes after his nomination for best actor in a television comedy.
The Nobody Wants This star and his wife — best known for Gossip Girl — have not confirmed the reports.
Leighton Meester and Adam Brody’s home was burned down (Picture: Stoianov/ Spot/ Backgrid)
Their aftermath of the fire (Picture: Backgrid)
The couple live in Pacific Palisades with their two young daughters (Picture: Google Maps)
The couple looked loved up at the awards show just days before (Picture: EPA)
Anna Faris
Mom actress Anna Faris has escaped the blaze, but her house that she shares with her husband Michael Barrett and her son Jack from a previous relationship with Chris Pratt.
‘Anna and her family are safe and very grateful,’ a representative told People.
The star’s home has also been destroyed (Picture: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Cameron Mathison
The actor, best known for All My Children and General Hospital shared horrifying images of his home which had been turned to rubble.
‘We are safe,’ he said in a post on Instagram. ‘But this is what’s left of our beautiful home. Our home where our kids were raised and where they wanted to raise their own someday.
‘Thanks to all who reached out and checked in. Can’t respond to all so wanted to give an update here. Sending so many prayers to everyone being affected by these fires🙏🏼.’
All My Children and General Hospital star Cameron Mathison shared this video as he walked through the remains of his family home (Picture: Cameron Mathison/ Instagram)
Canadian-American actor Cameron Mathison is best known for daytime shows, including All My Children and General Hospital (Picture: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
Ricki Lake
Sharing stunning pictures of her California home, Ricki revealed it had been burned to the ground.
‘It’s all gone. 💔 I can’t believe I am typing these words. After a valiant and brave effort by our friend and hero @kirbykotler_ Ross and I lost our dream home.
‘This description “dream home” doesn’t suffice. It was our heaven on earth. The place where we planned to grow old together. We never took our heavenly spot on the bluff overlooking our beloved malibu for granted, not even for one second. I shared our sunset 🌅 views almost daily with all of you.
RIcki Lake shared images of her home, sharing the news that it had been burned to the ground (Picture: Facebook)
Ricki Lake revealed her home, which she ‘never took for granted’ has been destroyed (Picture: Facebook)
The star called the property her ‘dream home’ (Picture: Facebook)
‘This loss is immeasurable. It’s the spot where we got married 3 years ago.
I grieve along with all of those suffering during this apocalyptic event.
‘Praying for all of my neighbors, my friends, my community, the animals, the firefighters and first responders.
More to share soon of how we escaped with Dolly and not much else. For now I grieve. 💔💔💔
Diane Warren
Other stars who have lost their homes include Oscar-winning songwriter Diane Warren whose beach home of 30 years was razed.
She penned on social media: ‘This is the last pic I took of Leah’s rock from my beach house. I’ve had this house for almost 30 years. It looks like it was lost in the fire last night.
‘There’s a rainbow shining on it which I’m taking as a sign of hope for all creatures who have been affected by this tragedy. The animals and the rescue ranch are OK tho which is the most important thing. Stay safe everyone.❤️💔’
Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag
The Hills stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag also confirmed their home had not escaped the blaze.
Documenting the ordeal on social media, Pratt shared he was ‘watching our house burn down on the security cameras’.
The Hills stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt shared updates of what happened to their home on social media (Picture: Backgrid)
She broke down in tears after losing her family home (Picture: Snapchat)
Celebrities whose homes have been destroyed
Paris Hilton
Billy Crystal
Anthony Hopkins
Diane Warren
John Goodman
Miles Teller
Eugene Levy
Adam Brody and Leighton Meester
Cary Elwes
Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag
Anna Faris
Ricki Lake
Cameron Mathison
Jennifer Grey
Cobie Smulders
James Woods
Historic buildings that have burned down
As well as celebrity homes, there are multiple buildings used in famous films and shows that have been impacted.
Reportedly, the Altadena mansion used in Hacks has been reduced to rubble with just the facade left of the 1915 Spanish Colonial Revival.
It has been a popular filming location for movies and TV shows for over 100 years, since the 1921 Max Linder film Seven Years Bad Luck.
The grand building has also appeared in Knots Landing, Ratched and Palm Royale.
Deadline added that the nearby Crank house is also in danger, which is where the likes of Matilda, Scream 2, and Catch Me If You Can were filmed.
Palisades Charter High School — a popular filming location for many Hollywood movies including Carrie and Freaky Friday.
The film Freaky Friday was one of many shot at the Palisades Charter High School (Picture: Buena Vista Pictures)
NBC Los Angeles reported on Tuesday night that the fire spread through several buildings at the PCHS campus. Earlier in the day, the school announced its closure due to the fire.
In the 1976 horror film Carrie the school was called Bates High School, while it also appeared in 1984 film Savage Streets, 2012 movie Project X, the 2003 remake of Freaky Friday, and 2001 romcom Crazy/Beautiful.
It’s not just films as the TV reboot of Teen Wolf, which aired from 2011 to 2017, also used the school for seasons three through six.
Firefighters attempted to put out the flames (Picture: Fox11)
Celebrities who have fled LA
A string of other stars have also shared harrowing stories of having to flee their homes, including Mark Hamill and Mandy Moore.
Star Wars actor Hamill said his family were ‘fleeing for our lives’ as they evacuated their home.
In a text message to Jedward posted online, Tara Reid said: ‘Now we are all on fire, all Hollywood is burning down Runyon canyon is on fire it’s going down now the buildings are on fire. We escaped we are ok but this s**t is so scary it feels like the end of the world.’
Kate Beckinsale also revealed on social media that she was devastated by the destruction in the place where she raised her daughter with Michael Sheen.
‘My daughter and I lived there for most of her childhood and most of her childhood is gone . Her primary school ,every shop or restaurant we used to go to with my parents and Michael’s parents -and devastatingly ,most of her friends homes .My heart is broken,’ she said in a post on Instagram.
In the same post she offered refuge: ‘If anyone from village needs shelter and doesn’t still have a number for me, please contact me on Instagram.’
This Is Us actress Moore wrote on social media she was ‘in shock and feeling numb for all so many have lost, including my family’.
‘My children’s school is gone. Our favourite restaurants, levelled. So many friends and loved ones have lost everything too. Our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together,’ she added.
Actors including Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, Harrison Ford, and Chrishell Strause have also been forced to abandon their homes due to the fires.
Jamie Lee Curtis revealed that the church she ‘got sober in 25 years ago’ was burned to the ground and while her home was safe her ‘beloved neighbourhood is gone.’
‘My home is safe. My street is safe. Flying to New York and hearing the beginnings of the stories of the fire was very challenging to be far away from my home and family and friends and feeling very powerless,’ she said on social media.
Speaking about her pledge to help the city in another post, Jamie Lee wrote: ‘As the fire still rages on and @calfire @losangelesfiredepartment and all the available first responders and agencies involved in fighting fire and saving lives are still hard at work and neighbors and friends are banding together to save each other.
‘My husband and I and our children have pledged one million dollars from our Family Foundation to start a fund of support for our great city and state and the great people who live and love there.
‘I’m in communication with Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass and Senator Schiff as to where those funds need to be directed for the most impact.’
ITV’s LA Correspondent Ross King spoke about evacuating his home on Good Morning Britain: ‘The pictures are difficult to watch and like you say, when you’re right here in the middle of it, it’s the most destructive fire in LA history.
‘At the moment there are about 10 fires going on and the one that is very close to me is the Runyon Canyon which is referred to as the ‘sunset fire’ which is just a couple of miles away.
‘We are under evacuation orders at the moment, it’s not mandatory but I tell you, it’s such a weird feeling when you are packing up the car and you’re getting everything ready, going round the house, taking photographs and you’re thinking this may be the last time you actually see the house. Your heart breaks…
‘I’ve got friends, one in Malibu has lost her house at the beach and three other people have completely lost their homes in the Palisades. When you get that feeling, it is the weirdest and one of the scariest things that I’ve gone through. I’ve never known anything like it in my 25 years here in Los Angeles… It’s so scary!’
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