How the 2025 Oscars Responded to the L.A. Wildfires
The devastation brought by Los Angeles wildfires that tore through the city in January, destroying thousands of structures and tens of thousands of acres of L.A., is still centered in the minds of millions, and the impact on everyday Angelenos was a topic that burned from the stage during the 2025 Academy Awards.
At the end of his opening monologue and performance, host Conan O’Brien opted to eschew a generalized tribute to the city where attendees live and were situated within on Sunday night. Instead, the comedian and longtime late-night talk show host delivered a heartfelt shoutout at the glamourous ceremony to the movie industry’s thousands upon thousands of behind-the-scenes workers and craftspeople who make cinema magic happen who make up the fabric of the city synonymous with the U.S. film industry.
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“The people of Los Angeles have clearly been through a devastating ordeal, and this needs to be addressed — and should be addressed in moments such as this,” O’Brien said. “Any award show can seem self indulgent and superfluous, but what I want to do is have us all remember why we gathered here tonight. OK, yes, we will honor many beautiful and talented A-list stars.”
“The Oscars also shines a light on an incredible community of people you will never see craftspeople, artisans, technicians, men and women behind the camera, who have devoted their lives to making film,” O’Brien added. “Many people we celebrate tonight are not famous, they’re not wealthy, but they are devoted to a craft they can, in moments, bring us all together. Now, for almost a century, we have paused every spring to elevate and celebrate an art form that has the power, at its very best, to unite us. So yes, even in the face of turbo wildfires and divisive politics, which is what this is about, the work continues — and next year and for years to come, through trauma, drama and joy, this seemingly absurd ritual is going to be here.”
O’Brien topped off his rare moment of gravity with some of his signature self-deprecating levity, adding, “I’m leaving Hollywood, to run an bed and breakfast. But I’d like to see you there. But the magic, the madness, the grandeur and the joy of film worldwide is going to be with us forever,” he concluded.
The former late-night host was among the thousands of Angelenos forced to evacuate from their homes as the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire tore across parts of the city. He spoke with The Hollywood Reporter’s Chris Gardner as he was in the writing stage of his biggest hosting gig while in Park City for the Sundance Film Festival in January.
“It’s not the easiest assignment I’ve ever had, but I’m embracing it,” O’Brien said. “And it’s not about me, obviously. This is a moment for all of us to step back and say, ‘Be humble.’ Just be humble and say, ‘This is a massive moment. This is a terrible thing that’s happened in Los Angeles.’ What’s going to be appropriate? What’s the right tone?”
He added in January that he wanted to ensure he meets the moment, ultimately previewing what was heard from the stage on Sunday.
“We put a light on a lot of the people in L.A. that have been affected; that we are a mixture of sensitivity, but also understanding, but also I hope uplifting that there’s some fun. It’s a crazy combination.”
Following No Other Land’s win for best documentary feature, around two-hours-and-fifteen minutes into the Oscars broadcast, the CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Bill Kramer, appeared on screen to make a plea for assistance from viewers as Los Angeles and the film industry recovers from the historic fires.
“We hope you join the Academy in supporting relief efforts for those impacted by the Los Angeles area buyers within our industry and in the water community,” he said, and asked viewers to scan an onscreen QR code to get more information and donate. “Together, we can make a difference.”
When the Oscars came back from commercials, several Los Angeles firefighters were brought on stage to a standing ovation. O’Brien introduced the dozen or so men and women then asked them to read several jokes from a teleprompter — and demanded that the audience laugh as they read one-liners about Joker: Folie à Deux and Bob Dylan’s singing.
The Oscars audience roared in response.
The Academy twice extended the voting period for Oscars nominations as the fires raged. The organization also canceled this year’s Oscars nominees luncheon and pushed the separate Scientific and Technical Awards event to April 29 after the massive, deadly blazes wreaked havoc on the city.
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