“Most Horrific Fire Since ’93”: Mark Hamill, Eugene Levy, James Woods and More Flee L.A. Wildfires

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Mark Hamill, famously known as Luke Skywalker from “Star Wars,” is among those who have evacuated Malibu due to the raging wildfires in parts of Los Angeles. Like many others in Hollywood, he posted on Instagram about him and his family fleeing their home due to the rapidly spreading fire.

Fires that broke out in Pacific Palisades, a wealthy area of Los Angeles, have spread to parts of Malibu and Santa Monica as well. The Palisades fire remains uncontained as of Wednesday, according to the L.A. Fire Department, and has been identified as the most devastating fire ever experienced in Los Angeles, with over 1,000 structures having been destroyed (as seen in these photos).

In my perspective, the scene unfolding at the Palisades is like something straight out of an apocalyptic film – the destruction and smoke are overwhelming. It’s surreal to see it in real life. As we speak, around 130,000 Los Angeles residents have been urged to evacuate due to the situation.

As a passionate resident of this city, I’m currently keeping a watchful eye on five active wildfires in the Los Angeles area. These are the Eaton, Hurst, Woodley, and Lidia fires, along with the recently erupted Sunset Fire from Wednesday night, which has ignited in the Hollywood Hills. This latest blaze poses a significant threat to our beloved landmarks, such as the iconic Hollywood Bowl.

At least five people have died in the fires, of which all but one are zero percent contained.

Governor Gavin Newsom of California declared an emergency situation on Tuesday evening, triggering evacuation orders in Santa Monica and Malibu which have since been broadened.

7 PM – Hamill had to evacuate Malibu suddenly, with small fires burning on either side of the road as he neared the Pacific Coast Highway, according to a post made on his Instagram account last night. The Pacific Coast Highway is simply referred to as PCH.

At 8:15 PM, Hamill, along with his wife Marilou York and their dog Trixie, reached their daughter’s house in Hollywood. He mentioned this, adding a note about a fire that seemed to be one of the most terrible since 1993. Expressing hope for everyone’s safety, he concluded his statement.

On Wednesday mornings, everyone was advised to follow evacuation instructions, avoid traveling, and work remotely as air quality deteriorated. Los Angeles’ famous Griffith Park, a popular filming location and scenic hilltop-canyon area between Los Feliz and Burbank, had to be shut down due to the windstorm and smoke warnings, along with Runyon Canyon, the Hollywood Reservoir, and the renowned Hollywood Sign.

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Officials announced that on Tuesday evening, the Palisades Fire had not only ravaged the landscape but also reduced to ashes several buildings at two California State Parks. Among these were the iconic ranch house of Will Rogers and the historic Topanga Ranch Motel, a former property belonging to William Randolph Hearst.

I’m personally following the heartbreaking updates from Hollywood stars who are sharing their personal experiences about the devastating fire. Stars like Spencer Pratt, Heidi Montag, Cary Elwes, James Woods, Mandy Moore, Diane Warren, and Paris Hilton have all shared that they’ve sadly lost their homes to this disaster.

I captured this last night from our charming small house in the Palisades. Suddenly, all the fire alarms are ringing simultaneously remotely.” He also commented: “It truly challenges your spirit, to lose everything at once, I should admit.

On Wednesday, Woods spoke to CNN and described a scene where his entire street was ablaze. A neighbor had managed to rescue their 90-year-old neighbor suffering from dementia an hour before their house went up in flames. Woods explained that the situation was like being in the midst of a fierce firestorm. As they were forced to leave their home, they could only take the clothes on their backs.

I was utterly devastated as I gazed upon my brother Spencer’s picture, backdropped by flames, on Instagram. “My heart is shattered for my dear brother, Heidi, and the kids,” I expressed, extending my sympathy to everyone affected. Even our parents have suffered the loss of their home in this tragic incident.

On a Tuesday evening, Moore took to her Instagram Stories to announce that she and her family – including children, pets (both dogs and cats) – had safely evacuated. She expressed gratitude towards the emergency services personnel, praying for their continued efforts.

On a subsequent post on Wednesday, the actress from “This Is Us” confirmed that her house was destroyed in the Eaton fire. She expressed, “This is Altadena. Flattened. My cherished home. I am utterly devastated and heartbroken for those of us who’ve suffered such significant losses. I’m currently feeling completely numb.

Warren shared that she lost the beach house she’s owned for 30 years.

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A post shared by Diane Warren (@dianewarren)

On Instagram Wednesday afternoon, Hilton expressed her deep sorrow, saying she’s “speechless with grief” upon learning that her Malibu residence has been destroyed. “As a family, we were glued to the news, watching in disbelief as our beloved Malibu home was reduced to ashes on live television,” she penned. “This house held countless cherished memories for us.

Billy and Janice Crystal sadly lost their Pacific Palisades home, a place they had lived for almost five decades. “The depth of the destruction we’re seeing and feeling is indescribable,” they shared. “Our entire house was overflowing with love and cherished memories that can never be replaced. Naturally, we are deeply saddened, but with the support of our children and friends, we will find a way to move forward.

As a devoted admirer, I’d like to share the news that Anna Faris personally informed me about her unfortunate loss of her Pacific Palisades residence due to the recent fires. However, she and her family remain safe and express their heartfelt gratitude for everyone’s concern during this challenging time.

Elwes, who had been chronicling his evacuation from Malibu on Instagram, posted an update revealing that he and his family had unfortunately lost their home on Wednesday. In a heartfelt message, he expressed gratitude for having made it through this devastating fire and offered sympathies to all the families affected by this tragic incident. Moreover, he expressed his appreciation towards the tireless efforts of the firefighters, first responders, and law enforcement personnel who have been working throughout the night and continue to do so.

According to TMZ’s report, the homes of actors Adam Brody and Leighton Meester, as well as Eugene Levy and John Goodman in Pacific Palisades, have sadly been destroyed by fire.

The comedian from the popular show “Schitt’s Creek,” now serving as the honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades, had left the area on Tuesday, explaining to The Los Angeles Times that the smoke in Temescal Canyon appeared extremely black and intense. He added that the smoke was very dark.

Actress Christa Miller, who is wedded to the co-creator of the show, Bill Lawrence, departed on Tuesday and posted a drone snapshot displaying the fires burning in the background. “Leaving, love, thoughts and appreciation for all the firefighters putting in so much effort. This situation is truly heartrending.

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A post shared by Christa Miller (@christabmiller)

On a Wednesday morning, Jamie Lee Curtis posted on Instagram, expressing that her neighborhood or perhaps her own home was ablaze. She added, “Thankfully, my family is unharmed. However, numerous friends of mine may lose their homes, as will many others in our community and other areas.

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A post shared by Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis)

Jennifer Love Hewitt expressed that she is holding on to as much hope as possible for her home, family, and children amidst the ongoing devastation. She extended gratitude to all the first responders tirelessly working to protect everyone, as well as to friends who reached out and strangers she’s embraced in tears over the past 24 hours.

Jennifer Grey’s daughter, Stella Gregg, posted on Instagram Stories yesterday that Jennifer’s house had been completely destroyed by fire. She reassured everyone that the actress from “Dirty Dancing” and her dog Winnie are safe. She encouraged people to hug their loved ones a little tighter today.

Ricki Lake, both TV host and actress, shared on Instagram that their cherished home in the Palisades was destroyed by fire on Wednesday. She expressed disbelief as she typed the words, stating “It’s all gone.” After a heroic effort by friend Kirby Kotler_ to save the property, unfortunately, they lost what they referred to as their “dream home.” However, this term doesn’t fully capture its significance; it was their earthly paradise. The place where Ricki and her partner had envisioned growing old together. They never took for granted the breathtaking view of Malibu from their hilltop vantage point, often sharing it with followers on social media. This loss is unfathomable.

As a devoted fan, I’m sharing an emotional update from Cameron Mathison himself. He recently posted a video on his social media, showcasing the heartbreaking aftermath of a fire that destroyed his cherished home. Despite the personal loss, he and his family are safe. His poignant words echo, “This is all that remains of our beloved house, where our children were nurtured and dreamed of raising their own families one day.

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A post shared by Cameron Mathison (@cameronmathison)

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Josh Gad, who stars in Frozen, expressed his shock at the destruction he’s witnessing in Los Angeles after nearly 20 years of residence. He shared that numerous friends have lost their homes and many brave firefighters, along with emergency services, are risking their lives to contain these fires, only for new ones to ignite. He described the current situation as a catastrophic event of unprecedented scale, reminiscent of an apocalypse.

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A post shared by Josh Gad (@joshgad)

Actor Steve Guttenberg was featured on CNN last night, having spent the entire day assisting stranded motorists along the PCH – a coastal route linking Malibu and Santa Monica, which had been shut down due to the blaze. He described the fire in Pacific Palisades, where he resides, as “the most astonishing fire I’ve ever witnessed.

In his account, he described a scene where “mothers were experiencing panic attacks and little children were crying,” along with a long line of traffic for more than two miles. He added that it was risky as police were on their way. Guttenberg went on to say that he spent the whole day trying to shift the cars uphill, aiming to create space for fire trucks to pass through.

Chet Hanks, Tom Hanks’ son, shared on Instagram that the neighborhood where he spent his childhood is being destroyed by fire. Chris Pratt, a star from the Avengers series, expressed gratitude to the courageous firefighters and emergency responders who are tirelessly working to save lives, homes, and wildlife as they fight a rapidly spreading wildfire driven by strong winds. He acknowledged their heroic efforts and said that we are eternally grateful for their sacrifice and bravery.

The Palisades Fire additionally burned down Palisades Charter High School, a school that has been frequently utilized for Hollywood filming, such as Brian De Palma’s 1976 horror hit Carrie, Danny Steinmann’s 1984 teen vigilante movie Savage Streets, the 2003 adaptation of Freaky Friday, the TV series of Teen Wolf, Nima Nourizadeh’s 2012 film Project X, and the 2001 teen romantic comedy Crazy/Beautiful.

The Palisades Fire also spread to Palisades Charter High School, a school often used in Hollywood productions like Brian De Palma’s 1976 horror success Carrie, Danny Steinmann’s 1984 teen vigilante movie Savage Streets, the 2003 version of Freaky Friday, the TV series of Teen Wolf, Nima Nourizadeh’s 2012 film Project X, and the 2001 teen romantic comedy Crazy/Beautiful.

On Tuesday, the renowned Getty Villa, Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club, and Pierson Playhouse (also known as Theatre Palisades) were unfortunately consumed by fire. Additionally, several popular restaurants in Malibu, such as The Reel Inn, Moonshadows, and Cholada Thai, were also destroyed by flames.

Multiple local schools are shut down ahead of Wednesday, with numerous Los Angeles neighborhoods experiencing power outages since late Tuesday evening. The Los Angeles Zoo had to close prematurely on Tuesday, and President Biden has postponed his visit to Riverside County, which borders Los Angeles County.

On a Wednesday briefing in Santa Monica, Biden described the fires as remarkable. Earlier in the week, he had flown there to designate two monuments. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump pointed fingers at Governor Newsom for causing the fires.

Moreover, television productions were halted on several series being filmed in the Los Angeles region, which includes shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Hacks, Suits LA, and Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Events in Hollywood were also postponed, affecting premieres scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Among these were Amazon MGM Studios’ “Unstoppable,” starring Jennifer Lopez; Universal’s “Wolf Man” featuring Julia Garner and Christopher Abbott; Paramount Pictures’ “Better Man”; Max series “The Pitt”; and Prime Video’s “On Call.” Additionally, screenings for Netflix’s “Emilia Pérez” and Sony Pictures Classics’ “I’m Still Here” were also affected.

Max emphasized that the health and security of our guests, team members, and local residents is our foremost concern. We appreciate the courageous efforts of first responders keeping our community safe, and our sympathies go out to those impacted, as he announced the cancellation of the Noah Wyle series premiere event due to the persistent Palisades Fire and wind warnings on Wednesday morning.

Initially planned for a live, in-person announcement early on Wednesday morning, the SAG Awards nominations were unexpectedly revealed through a press release and posted on the official SAG Awards website instead. (You can view the nominations by clicking here.)

On account of their gratitude towards first responders and sympathies for those impacted, Roadside Attractions decided to postpone the premiere of Pamela Anderson’s film The Last Showgirl, which was initially scheduled for Wednesday night.

The LA Kings’ matchup with the Calgary Flames, scheduled for Wednesday evening at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, has similarly been delayed.

On Wednesday evening, the Last Lap Tour performance by platinum-selling rap artist Rod Wave at the Intuit Dome had to be called off due to a decision made by local authorities. He shared this news on Instagram, expressing his hopes for everyone’s safety.

Multiple awards ceremonies scheduled for Thursday and the weekend have either been delayed or canceled, with the most notable being the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, originally planned for Sunday, which has now been rescheduled. The AARP Movies for Grownups Awards, initially set for Saturday, has also been postponed to a date yet to be determined.

The deadline for voting on the Oscars nominations, which started on Wednesday, has been moved to Tuesday, January 14th. As a result, the announcement of the nominees will now take place on Sunday, January 19th.

Instead of being announced on Thursday as originally planned, the Writers Guild Awards nominations will now be disclosed on Monday.

Further cancellations involve the American Cinematheque’s tribute event scheduled for Thursday, the AFI Awards lunch on Friday, and BAFTA’s tea party on Saturday. The American Film Institute (AFI) stated in a communique, “Given the ongoing crises in Los Angeles, creating a sense of unity that we aspire to at the AFI Awards will be difficult on Friday; thus, we have decided to reschedule the event.” BAFTA expressed, “The wellbeing of our colleagues, friends, and peers in Los Angeles is our top concern, and our thoughts are with everyone affected.

Simultaneously, both the Los Angeles Unified School District and Las Virgenes Unified announced on Wednesday evening that all their schools will be shut down on Thursday. Meanwhile, Pasadena Unified Schools have decided to remain closed until Friday.

Mesfin Fekadu contributed to this report.

This story is developing.

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2025-01-09 07:55