Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal among heartbroken stars as LA wildfires destroy homes
The Hollywood Hills fires have seen stars flee, lose their homes and showbiz events cancelled as firefighters battle to contain the LA wildfires.
The Hollywood Hills fires have had a huge impact on Los Angeles and its surrounding areas, and the celebrity world is not immune either as A-list stars are among those who have had their homes destroyed in the blaze.
The deadly LA wildfires have killed at least 10 people and sparked evacuation orders for more than 100,000 in the area. Thousands of firefighters have been battling the original Palisades fire that has torn through 16,000 acres.
Celebrities are among those affected by the fires, including Paris Hilton who is heartbroken after watching home burn down on TV. Stars have seen their homes destroyed and some have spoken out on fleeing.
British celebrities swept up in the fires include Patsy Palmer, Brooklyn Beckham and Alice Evans. Palmer, who is currently working in the UK, wrote on Instagram: "My heart is broken. My brain is fried today looking at the devastating scenes of the fires AGAIN in my hometown."
Meanwhile, Evans said she was preparing to evacuate her home, saying: "We're now in the pack stuff and be ready zone. At least according to the watch duty site that most people are recommending." Beckham simply shared a broken heart emoji on social media.
A new fire in Hollywood Hills has threatened a host of tourist sites including the Walk of Fame. It is the busiest time in the showbiz calendar with awards season underway but a number of events have already been cancelled or postponed.
Read more: Key developments as deadly LA wildfires reach Hollywood Hills
Milo Ventimiglia fights back tears while visiting home lost in fire
Milo Ventimiglia fought back tears while visiting the remains of his house that was ravaged by the deadly California wildfires raging through the Los Angeles area.
The This is Us and Heroes actor was one of many Hollywood stars who lost their homes after evacuating Malibu on Tuesday and, while surveying the damage for the first time, he emotionally reflected on the “heavy” loss.
He also described the incident as “life imitating art”, revealing it “wasn’t lost” on him that his This is Us character Jack Pearson saved his family from a house fire.
The star, who watched the house burn down on security cameras he had installed, told CBS Evening News: “You start thinking about all the memories in the different parts of the house and whatnot.
“Then you see your neighbours’ houses and everything around, and your heart just breaks.”
Stars who have lost their homes
Paris Hilton, Sir Anthony Hopkins, John Goodman, Billy Crystal and Miles Teller are the latest celebrities to have their homes razed to the ground by the killer Palisades wildfires.
It emerged on Wednesday hundreds of homes had been destroyed including those belonging to reality TV stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, acting partners Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, as well as a mansion belonging to actress Anna Faris.
Hilton took to Instagram to reveal her shock at the loss of her home. She said: “Heartbroken beyond words. (Broken heart emoji.) Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience. (Crying face emoji.)
“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.”
Celebrities flee Los Angeles fires
As the LA fires rage, many stars have spoken out to share their experience of fleeing their homes.
Mandy Moore, the singer and "This Is Us" actress, told followers on Instagram she had fled with her children and pets from the path of a blaze that had left her Altadena neighbourhood "levelled."
"My sweet home. I am devastated and gutted for those of us who've lost so much. I'm absolutely numb," she wrote, in a caption to footage of the destruction.
Emmy-winning actor James Woods posted a video on X showing flames engulfing trees and bushes near his Pacific Palisades home as he got ready to evacuate, and shortly afterwards said all the fire alarms were going off.
"I couldn't believe our lovely little home in the hills held on this long. It feels like losing a loved one," Woods said.
Star Wars's Mark Hamill told followers on Instagram that he had fled his Malibu home with his wife and pet dog, escaping down a road flanked by active fires.
'Grateful for first responders': Hollywood reacts
Hollywood stars have asked for “prayers and strength” as they react to the fast-moving wildfires in Los Angeles.
Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt issued a passionate plea for people “to come together to support one another” in a post on Instagram.
“Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires,” he wrote. “Los Angeles is in a state of emergency and over 30,000 have been ordered to evacuate.”
He thanked “firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and wildlife”. He added: “You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage.”
Events cancelled and postponed by LA wildfires
Key dates in the awards season calendar have been postponed or cancelled while firefighters battle wildfires across Los Angeles.
Major annual events in the Hollywood agenda have been rescheduled or abandoned, just days after the biggest stars convened at the Golden Globes to kick-start the awards season.
Production also came to a halt on several television programmes as US authorities attempted to bring the blaze under control.
The Critics Choice Awards, the Bafta Tea Party, Writers Guild of America (WGA) nominations, America’s Got Talent as well as filming have all been impacted.
