‘We raised our children here’: The Hollywood stars whose homes have burnt down in California wildfires
Anthony Hopkins, Anna Faris and Eugene Levy are among the stars whose properties have been reduced to rubble
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Your support makes all the difference.A wave of catastrophic wildfires sweeping across southern California has left Hollywood stars among those devastated as their homes were reduced to ashes.
The fires, which have claimed five lives and forced more than 70,000 people to flee their homes, continue to rage across Los Angeles County, fuelled by high winds.
The Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires erupted on Tuesday, engulfing nearly 23,000 acres, while two more – the Tyler and Woodley fires – ignited nearby on Wednesday. A state of emergency has been declared in the city.
Among the celebrities to lose their homes was Billy Crystal, who revealed that the property he had lived in for 46 years was completely destroyed, with only a tennis court left standing.
In a joint statement with his wife, Janice, the When Harry Met Sally star said: “Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing. 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. We are heartbroken, of course, but with the love of our children and friends, we will get through this.”
Paris Hilton shared her heartbreak after witnessing news footage of her $8.4 million Malibu oceanfront home “burn to a crisp.”
She told her fans: “This is something no one should ever have to experience.” Hilton later wrote: “This home was where we built so many precious memories. While the loss is overwhelming, I’m holding onto gratitude that my family and pets are safe.”
Other high-profile victims included Anna Faris, whose $5 million, 4,000-square-foot home was destroyed. Eugene Levy, the Schitt’s Creek star and honorary mayor of the Palisades, also lost his $3.9 million property. His son, Dan Levy, wrote on social media: “Heartbroken for my family, my friends, and the people of LA affected by the catastrophic fires.”
Princess Bride actor Cary Elwes confirmed the loss of his family home, stating: “Sadly, we did lose our home but we are grateful to have survived this truly devastating fire.”
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Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins, 87, is also believed to have lost his $6 million home. Haunting images appear to show only the property’s gate still standing. Hopkins frequently posted photos and videos of the residence on social media, which has now been reduced to rubble.
Grammy-winning songwriter Diane Warren revealed that her Malibu home of 30 years was destroyed. She wrote: “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.” Warren, who runs an animal rescue ranch in the area, confirmed that the animals were safe.
Miles Teller, star of Whiplash and Top Gun: Maverick, lost his $7.5 million mansion, though he and his wife, Keleigh, have yet to comment.
Married actors Adam Brody and Leighton Meester also saw their home destroyed, just days after attending the Golden Globes.
Reality stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag were among those forced to evacuate. Pratt shared an emotional detail: “The one positive sign I saw as our house burned down was our son’s bed burned in the shape of a heart. A sign of how much love was in this house.” Montag tearfully recounted the chaos of packing an emergency bag, saying: “I only have two pairs of jeans, two shirts. The main thing is that we’re safe and got out.”
Actor James Woods broke down during a live interview on CNN after being evacuated from his Pacific Palisades home. “I’m sorry – it’s just one day you’re in the pool, and the next, it’s all gone,” he said through tears.
Despite the devastation, some stars were more fortunate. Jamie Lee Curtis, Ben Affleck, Bill Hader, and Star Wars actor Mark Hamill were among those whose properties escaped the flames. Hamill described the disaster as the “most horrific fire since ’93” in an Instagram post, assuring fans of his safety.
The wildfires, which now span more than 27,000 acres, are among the most destructive in Los Angeles’s history, leaving communities shattered and countless lives changed forever.
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