LOS ANGELES (AP) – Fires in and around Los Angeles have destroyed the homes of numerous celebrities including Billy Crystal, Mandy Moore and Paris Hilton, leading to a complete suspension of entertainment events.
Three award ceremonies scheduled for this weekend have been postponed. Next week's Oscar nominations have been postponed. And tens of thousands of Angelenos have been forced to evacuate and are waiting to hear Thursday whether their homes survived the fire, including some of the city's most famous residents.
More than 1,900 structures were destroyed, and the number is expected to rise. More than 130,000 people are also under evacuation orders in the metropolitan area, from the Pacific Interior to Pasadena, but that number continues to change as new fires break out.
Late Wednesday, a fire in the Hollywood Hills destroyed hills near the famous Hollywood Bowl and Dolby Theater, the venue for the Academy Awards ceremony. The fire was largely extinguished without causing any damage to the Hollywood landmark.
Here's how the fires are impacting celebrities and the Los Angeles entertainment industry.
Stars whose homes were destroyed by fire
Celebrities like Crystal and his wife Janice shared their memories of their lost home. John Goodman, Anthony Hopkins, Miles Teller, Jennifer Love Hewitt and others also lost their homes.
The Crystals lost their home in the Pacific Palisades, where they had lived for 45 years.
“Janice and I have lived in this home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our home was filled with love. We can't leave. Beautiful memories. Of course we are heartbroken, but we will get through this with the love of our children and friends,” Crystals said in a statement.
Mandy Moore lost her home in the Altadena neighborhood, about 30 miles east of Palisades.
“Honestly, I am shocked and stunned by the loss of so many people, including my family. My children's school is gone. Our favorite restaurant has been leveled. So many friends and loved ones lost everything,” Moore wrote in an Instagram post that included a video of the devastated streets of the foothills suburbs.
“Our communities are broken, but we are here to rebuild together. To everyone affected, and to everyone on the front lines trying to get this situation under control. Sending love to others,” Moore wrote.
Hilton posted a news video clip on Instagram, which she said included footage of her destroyed home in Malibu. “This house is where we made so many precious memories. This is where Phoenix took his first steps and where we dreamed of creating lifelong memories in London.” she said, referring to her young children.
Elwes, star of “The Princess Bride” and many other movies, posted on Instagram Wednesday that his family was safe, but his home was destroyed in the coastal Palisades fire. “Sadly we lost our home, but we are grateful to have survived this truly devastating fire,” Elwes wrote.
Jamie Lee Curtis pledges $1 million to fire relief efforts
Jamie Lee Curtis, one of the stars evacuated from the Palisades fire, has announced that she and her family will donate $1 million to start a “relief fund” for those affected by the fires in and around Los Angeles. He said he had promised.
The actor announced the pledge on Instagram on Thursday. The night before, she appeared on The Tonight Show in tears.
“As you know, there's a fire going on right now where I live,” Curtis said. “This is literally where I live, the markets where I shop, the schools my kids go to, my friends, so many, so many, so many friends who are now homeless. Ta.
The Oscar winner wrote that he has been in contact with state and city leaders about how to distribute the funds to have “the greatest impact.”
Awards season is changing
The fire threw Hollywood's carefully planned awards season into disarray.
The awards ceremony scheduled for this weekend has been postponed due to the fire. The AFI Awards, which honors “Wicked,” “Anora” and other season awards nominees, was scheduled for Friday.
The AARP Adult Film Awards, which recognize movies and TV shows that resonate with older viewers, had been scheduled for Friday but have been postponed.
The Critics' Choice Awards, originally scheduled for Sunday, have been postponed until February 26th.
On Thursday, the Producers Guild Awards announced that nominations would be postponed from Friday to Sunday.
Each show featured a project that explored every advantage available in the Oscar race and was scheduled during the Academy Awards voting period.
Oscar nominations have also been postponed by two days to January 19, and the Motion Picture Academy has extended the voting period to accommodate members affected by the fire.
History is lost and even more at risk.
The flames destroyed parts of Palisades Charter High School, which has been featured in many Hollywood productions, including the 1976 horror film “Carrie,” the 2003 remake of “Freaky Friday,” and the TV series “Teen Wolf.” Baked.
The Palisades fire also destroyed a historic ranch home owned by Hollywood legend Will Rogers. This was one of 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 to the ground.
The Rogers Ranch was built on land purchased in the 1920s and occupied approximately 359 acres in what is now the Pacific Palisades. It included a 31-room ranch house, stables, a golf course, and an equestrian trail. His wife donated it to California State Parks in 1944.
