Patricia Heaton Discusses Leaving Los Angeles

In a recent podcast appearance, actress Patricia Heaton shared her reasons for leaving Los Angeles, highlighting issues like crime, homelessness, and high taxes. Speaking with host Dave Rubin on “The Rubin Report,” she reflected on her experiences filming “The Unexpected” in Oklahoma and noted her work opportunities outside of L.A.

“We were filming in Oklahoma, and then we had a project in a suburb of Los Angeles,” she explained. “It made us think—taxes are sky-high, there’s a lot of crime, and homelessness is prevalent. I find myself working more outside of Los Angeles, so why not move?” Heaton mentioned that they decided to relocate to Nashville since they had friends there and were familiar with the city. “Honestly, we haven’t looked back since,” she added.

Reflections on the Industry

Heaton also expressed mixed feelings about returning to Los Angeles. “I sometimes wonder if it’s me who’s changed or if it’s the city. There’s a hint of sadness there, I think, but it feels genuine,” she remarked. She pointed out that many writers from her past shows, “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “The Middle,” have also moved back to their hometowns.

She recounted a recent email from a former writer saying, “You left at the right time,” which resonated with her, especially as she noted the current absence of activity on Los Angeles soundstages. “The place where we filmed ‘The Middle’ is now mostly empty. They destroyed the sets and built soundstages, but then the pandemic hit, and the strikes… now it’s just a lot of unused space,” she shared.

Community and Preparedness

After witnessing the devastating fires in Los Angeles earlier this year, Heaton became involved with the LA Dream Center to assist those in need. She criticized local and state officials for their lack of preparedness. “Some officials claimed the system was overwhelmed. If there’s a major fire, it’s likely to cause significant damage,” she commented. “It seems like there’s a lot of money being spent, but it’s hard to see where it goes.” Heaton believes that Californians shouldn’t solely rely on the government. “It’s about community members coming together and advocating for change. Sadly, that’s a really tough lesson to learn,” she concluded.

Remarks from Other Industry Figures

In a separate interview, comedian and actor John O’Hurley mentioned his own hesitance about staying in Los Angeles, noting that much of his work these days is done remotely. “I’ve filmed five movies this year, and none were in Los Angeles,” he added, pointing out that the declining film industry in California is driving people away, with projects increasingly being shot in states like Georgia, Tennessee, and New York.