Mel Gibson Among Celebrities to Lose Homes in Los Angeles Wildfires
The recent Los Angeles wildfires have left a trail of destruction, with Mel Gibson being the latest celebrity to share the loss of his home. The Oscar-winning actor and director revealed that his Malibu residence was destroyed while he was away recording a podcast with Joe Rogan in Austin, Texas.
Gibson Reflects on Loss
In an interview with NewsNation’s “Elizabeth Vargas Reports,” Gibson expressed his emotional reaction to the devastating loss.
“Obviously, it’s kind of devastating. It’s emotional,” he said. “You live there for a long time, and you had all your stuff. I’ve been relieved from the burden of my stuff because it’s all in cinders.”
Gibson admitted feeling uneasy during the podcast recording, knowing his neighborhood was on fire.
“When I got home, sure enough, [the house] wasn’t there,” he said. “I told myself, ‘At least I haven’t got any of those pesky plumbing problems anymore.’”
He and his girlfriend had evacuated prior to the destruction, though she remained in California while Gibson traveled to Texas.
Describing the aftermath, Gibson said:
“I have never seen a place so massively burned. You could put it in an urn.”
Other Celebrities Share Their Stories
Gibson joins a growing list of celebrities who have lost homes in the wildfires, including Mandy Moore, Billy Crystal, Jeff Bridges, Paris Hilton, Milo Ventimiglia, and Ricki Lake.
Mandy Moore
Moore shared on Instagram that her Altadena home had been heavily damaged:
“Miraculously, the main part of our house is still standing. For now. It’s not livable but mostly intact.”
She also mentioned losing her garage and back house, posting photos of the devastation.
Billy Crystal
Actor Billy Crystal issued a heartfelt statement to CNN, reflecting on the loss of his Pacific Palisades home, where he and his family had lived since 1979:
“Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away. We ache for our friends and neighbors who have also lost their homes and businesses in this tragedy.”
Despite the heartbreak, Crystal expressed hope:
“The Pacific Palisades is a resilient community of amazing people, and we know in time it will rise again.”
Jeff Bridges
Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges also lost his family beach home to the fires. According to his representative, Bridges and his loved ones are safe.
Ricki Lake
Actress and former talk show host Ricki Lake shared her grief on Instagram after losing her “dream home” in Malibu:
“It was our heaven on earth. The place where we planned to grow old together. We never took our heavenly spot on the bluff for granted, not even for one second.”
Lake revealed that the home held deep sentimental value, as she and her husband had married there three years ago.
A Community in Mourning and Resilience
The devastation caused by the wildfires has left countless families, including these celebrities, grieving the loss of their homes and memories. While the pain of the destruction is immeasurable, many have shared messages of hope and resilience, expressing gratitude for their safety and the bravery of first responders.
As the affected communities begin to rebuild, the spirit of unity and determination remains strong.
