Hollywood A-listers evacuated in LA wildfires – awards season impacted

The fires burning in Los Angeles have claimed the homes of numerous celebrities, including Billy Crystal and Paris Hilton, with others like Star Wars actor Mark Hamill having to be evacuated from their homes.

Firefighters are battling a 3,000-acre wildfire that has seen tens of thousands evacuated.

More than 1,900 structures have been destroyed and the number is expected to increase. More than 130,000 people are also under evacuation orders in the metropolitan area, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena, a number that continues to shift as new fires erupt. The area between Santa Monica and Malibu is home to many Hollywood A-listers.

Mark Hamill was evacuated from his house in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood. The actor shared a personal update on his Instagram account, saying: “Personal Fire Update: 7pm – Evacuated Malibu so last-minute there (were) small fires on the sides of the road as we approached PCH (Pacific Coast Highway)”.  

Actor James Woods posted on X about evacuating his home, which he fears he may have lost to the blaze. “It feels like losing a loved one,” he wrote, adding in another post: “It tests your soul, losing everything at once, I must say”. 

Billy Crystal and his family lost the home in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood that they lived in for 45 years.

“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,” the Crystals wrote in the statement.

Mandy Moore lost her home in the Altadena neighborhood roughly 30 miles east of the Palisades.

“Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all so many have lost, including my family. My children’s school is gone. Our favorite restaurants, leveled. So many friends and loved ones have lost everything too,” Moore wrote on Instagram in a post that included video of devastated streets in the foothill suburb. “Our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together. Sending love to all affected and on the front lines trying to get this under control,” Moore added.

Paris Hilton posted a news clip on Instagram and said it included footage of her destroyed home in Malibu.

“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 said, referencing her young children.

According to Velvet Ropes, which maps celebrity properties, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Dr Dre, Hilary Swank, Sally Field, Tyra Banks, Martin Short, Adam Sandler and Jennifer Love Hewitt all have homes close to where fires are raging.

Disruptions to awards season

The wildfires have led to the disruption of several entertainment events and have thrown Hollywood’s carefully orchestrated awards season into disarray.

Three awards ceremonies, including the AFI Awards, planned for this weekend have been postponed. The Critics Choice Awards, originally scheduled for Sunday, have been postponed until 26 February.

Next week’s Oscar nominations have been delayed two days to 19 January and the film academy has extended the voting window to accommodate members affected by the fires.

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Beyond award ceremonies and cancelled film premieres, several iconic monuments immortalized on screen have been destroyed.

Flames burned parts of the Palisades Charter High School, which has been featured in many Hollywood productions including the 1976 horror movie Carrie, the 2003 remake of Freaky Friday and the TV series Teen Wolf.

The Palisades fire also destroyed the historic ranch house that belonged to Hollywood legend Will Rogers. It was among multiple structures destroyed at both Will Rogers State Historic Park and Topanga State Park. The historic Topanga Ranch Motel, built by William Randolph Hearst in 1929, also burned down.

The Hollywood Hills fire is also burning close to several Hollywood landmarks, including the Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Bowl. 

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