“Most Horrific Fire Since ’93”: Mark Hamill, Eugene Levy, James Woods and More Flee L.A. Wildfires
“Luke Skywalker” Mark Hamill is among the people who have evacuated Malibu amid the wildfires that are raging across parts of Los Angeles. The Star Wars actor is one of many in Hollywood who shared on Instagram how he and his family left their home amid the spreading blaze.
Starting in Pacific Palisades, one of Los Angeles’ toniest neighborhoods, fires overnight also hit parts of Malibu and Santa Monica. The Palisades fire was zero percent contained as of Wednesday, per the L.A. Fire Department, and has been reported to be the most destructive fire in L.A. history, with more than 1,000 structures destroyed. (See photos.)
More from The Hollywood Reporter
The damage and smoke engulfing the Palisades has been described as “apocalyptic,” with local field reporter and residents being interviewed noting its resemblance to a movie set. As of Wednesday night, 130,000 Los Angeles residents are under evacuation orders.
There are now five other active wildfires in the Los Angeles area — the Eaton, Hurst, Woodley and Lidia fires, as well as the new Sunset Fire that broke out Wednesday night in the Hollywood Hills, threatening iconic landmarks including the famed Hollywood Bowl. Just before midnight, the Los Angeles Fire Department shared in an update that the majority of evacuation orders for the Sunset Fire have been lifted.
The National Weather Service Los Angeles posted an update on its X (formerly Twitter) account around midnight Wednesday going into Thursday. “Critical fire weather will last through Friday for portions of LA and Ventura counties, including major wildfire locations such as the #PalisadesFire, the #EatonFire, and the #HurstFire,” it said. “Gusty winds and very dry conditions will continue to fuel fire starts and existing fires.”
At least five people have died in the fires, of which all but one are zero percent contained.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom had declared a state of emergency Tuesday night, as Santa Monica and Malibu published evacuation orders that have since expanded.
“7pm – Evacuated Malibu so last-minute there (were) small fires on both sides of the road as we approached PCH,” Hamill posted on his Instagram account Tuesday night. The PCH is the Pacific Coast Highway.
At 8:15 p.m., Hamill, wife Marilou York and their dog Trixie arrived at their daughter “Chelsea’s house in Hollywood,” he added. “Most horrific fire since ’93,” he concluded, expressing hope that other people would also “stay safe.”
On Wednesday morning, all residents were urged to heed evacuation orders, stay off the roads and work from home amid poor air quality. L.A.’s iconic Griffith Park, the top film location and iconic hilltop and canyon area between Los Feliz and Burbank, was closed due to the windstorm and smoke advisories, along with Runyon Canyon, the Hollywood Reservoir and the famed Hollywood Sign.
Officials shared that the Palisades Fire also destroyed multiple structures at two California State Parks Tuesday night, including Will Rogers’ historic ranch house and the historic Topanga Ranch Motel, once owned by William Randolph Hearst. Camp Josepho, the Scouting America camp in Pacific Palisades was among the many locations destroyed in the Palisades Fire. The Eliot Arts Magnet School burned down in Altadena.
Meanwhile, Hollywood stars continue to take to social media to share firsthand accounts about the blaze and its impact. Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, as well as Cary Elwes, Mandy Moore, Diane Warren and Paris Hilton, shared on social media that they have tragically lost their homes.
James Woods posted a video on X, writing: “I took this last night from our beautiful little home in the Palisades. Now all the fire alarms are going off at once remotely.” And he added: “It tests your soul, losing everything at once, I must say.”
Speaking to CNN on Wednesday, Woods said his entire street was burning down, and that a neighbor was able to save their 90-year-old neighbor with dementia one hour before his house burned down. “There was so much chaos, it was like an inferno. Every house was on fire around us,” he said of fleeing his home. “We were evacuated with the clothes on our back.”
Woods initially indicated he lost his home in the fires but later discovered it was “still standing,” saying “a miracle has happened.”
Pratt’s sister Stephanie posted a photo of Spencer with fire in the background on Instagram, sharing: “I am beyond heartbroken for my brother, Heidi & the kids. And to all of our friends and neighbors who have lost their houses today.” The Pratt siblings’ parents also lost their home.
Moore shared on her Instagram Story on Tuesday night that she had evacuated and was safe with her “kids, dogs and cats.” She added, “Praying and grateful for the first responders.”
The This Is Us actress later confirmed in another post Wednesday that she lost her home in the Eaton fire, “This is Altadena. Leveled. My sweet home. I am devastated and gutted for those of us who’ve lost so much. I’m Absolutely numb.”
Warren shared that she lost the beach house she’s owned for 30 years.
Hilton said on Instagram on Wednesday afternoon that she is “heartbroken beyond words” after learning her Malibu home was destroyed. “Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience. This home was where we built so many precious memories,” she wrote.
Billy and Janice Crystal lost their Pacific Palisades home of nearly five decades. “Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing,” they said. “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.”
Anna Faris’ rep told The Hollywood Reporter that the actress lost her Pacific Palisades home in the fires. “Anna and her family are safe and grateful,” the rep added.
Elwes, who had documented his evacuation from Malibu on Instagram, shared an update that he and his family lost their home Wednesday. “Sadly, we did lose our home but we are grateful to have survived this truly devastating fire,” he wrote on Instagram. “Our hearts go out to all the families impacted by this tragic event and we also wish to extend our gratitude to all the firefighters, first responders and law enforcement who worked so tirelessly through the night and are still at it.”
The Pacific Palisades homes of Adam Brody and Leighton Meester, Eugene Levy and John Goodman have also burned down, TMZ reported.
The Schitt’s Creek comedian, who is the current honorary mayor of the Pacific Palisades, had evacuated the area early Tuesday, telling The Los Angeles Times, “The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon…the smoke was very dark.”
Shrinking star Christa Miller, who is married to the show’s co-creator Bill Lawrence, evacuated Tuesday and shared a drone image of the fires raging in the distance. “Evacuating, love, prayers and gratitude to all the firefighters working so hard. This is all so heartbreaking.”
Jamie Lee Curtis shared Wednesday morning that her “community and possibly my home is on fire.” She continued in her Instagram post, “My family is safe. Many of my friends will lose their homes. Many other communities as well.”
Jennifer Love Hewitt said she is praying and “holding as much hope as I can for our home and our kids while we watch everything burn. Thank you to every first responders fighting so hard for all of us. Thank you to every friend who reached out and new person I have hugged in tears in the last 24 hours.”
Jennifer Grey’s daughter Stella Gregg shared on her Instagram Story Wednesday that her mother’s home was “burnt to the ground.” She added that the Dirty Dancing actress and her dog Winnie were safe and telling everyone to “give your loved ones an extra squeeze today.”
TV host and actress Ricki Lake revealed on Instagram on Wednesday that she “lost our dream home” in the Palisades fire. “It’s all gone. I can’t believe I am typing these words,” she wrote. “After a valiant and brave effort by our friend and hero @kirbykotler_ Ross and I lost our dream home. This description ‘dream home’ doesn’t suffice. It was our heaven on earth. The place where we planned to grow old together. We never took our heavenly spot on the bluff overlooking our beloved malibu for granted, not even for one second. I shared our sunset views almost daily with all of you. This loss is immeasurable.”
General Hospital actor Cameron Mathison shared a video on his social media of the devastation left behind by the fire, revealing that his house had burned down: “We are safe But this is what’s left of our beautiful home. Our home where our kids were raised and where they wanted to raise their own someday.”
Frozen star Josh Gad wrote on Instagram on Wednesday, “I have lived in Los Angeles for close to 20 years and I have never seen anything near the devastation we are witnessing right now. So many of my friends have lost their homes. So many firefighters are putting their lives on the line right now along with emergency services and every time they suppress one fire another one pops up. We are in the midst of a catastrophic event of apocalyptic proportions.”
Actor Steve Guttenberg had appeared on CNN on Tuesday night after spending all day helping people stranded on the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), of which the scenic route from Malibu to Santa Monica was closed. He called the blaze in Pacific Palisades, where he is a resident, “the most unbelievable fire I’ve ever seen.”
There were “mothers who were having panic attacks [and] little kids crying,” he also shared. “The cars were bumper-to-bumper traffic for over two miles and it was dangerous, the police were coming.” Concluded Guttenberg: “I spent all day moving these cars up on the hill, trying to [move them] so the fire trucks could get through.”
Chet Hanks, Tom Hanks’ son, posted on his Instagram stories that “the neighborhood I grew up in is burning to the ground.” Avengers star Chris Pratt thanked the “brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and wildlife as they battle fast-moving wildfire fueled by fierce winds. You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage.”
The Palisades Fire also engulfed Palisades Charter High School, a school that has long been a popular location for Hollywood productions, including Brian De Palma’s 1976 horror classic Carrie, Danny Steinmann’s 1984 teen vigilante movie Savage Streets, the 2003 remake of Freaky Friday, the Teen Wolf TV series, Nima Nourizadeh’s 2012 film Project X and the 2001 teen rom-com Crazy/Beautiful.
The grounds of the iconic Getty Villa caught fire and the Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club was engulfed Tuesday, as was the Pierson Playhouse (aka Theatre Palisades). The Reel Inn, a longstanding seafood restaurant, was one of several beloved Malibu eateries engulfed in flames, as well as Moonshadows and Cholada Thai.
Several schools in the area were closed heading into Wednesday, as many neighborhoods in L.A. were left without power starting Tuesday night. The Los Angeles Zoo closed midday Tuesday and President Joe Biden canceled plans to travel to Riverside County, which is adjacent to Los Angeles County.
On Wednesday, Biden called the fires “astounding” during a briefing in Santa Monica, where he flew Monday to declare two monuments. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump placed blame for the fires on Gov. Newsom.
Additionally, production was shut down on numerous TV shows filming in the Los Angeles area, including Grey’s Anatomy, Hacks, Suits: L.A. and Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
Events throughout Hollywood were also canceled including premieres planned for Tuesday and Wednesday nights, including Amazon MGM Studios’ Unstoppable, starring Jennifer Lopez, Universal’s Wolf Man, starring Julia Garner and Christopher Abbott, Paramount Pictures’ Better Man, Max series The Pitt and Prime Video’s On Call; as well as screenings for Netflix’s Emilia Pérez and Sony Pictures Classics’ I’m Still Here.
“The safety and well-being of our attendees, staff and community are our top priority. We are grateful for the first responders bravely working to protect our community, and our thoughts are with those affected,” said Max on Wednesday morning of canceling the Noah Wyle series premiere event amid the ongoing Palisades Fire and continued wind advisories.
The SAG Awards nominations, which were due to be announced live and in person early Wednesday morning, were instead shared via press release and on the SAG Awards website. (See the nominations here.)
Roadside Attractions canceled its Wednesday night premiere for Pamela Anderson’s The Last Showgirl, saying, “We are thankful to all first responders and our thoughts are with the people being affected.”
Wednesday night’s Los Angeles Kings game against the Calgary Flames at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena has also been postponed.
Platinum-selling rapper Rod Wave was forced to cancel his show Wednesday night at the Intuit Dome as part of his Last Lap Tour. He said on Instagram that the concert was “cancelled by government officials. I hope everyone stays safe.”
And a number of awards season events set for Thursday and this weekend have also been canceled or postponed, most significantly the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, which was set for Sunday and has been postponed. The AARP Movies for Grownups Awards set for Saturday has also been postponed to a not-yet-announced date.
The Oscars nominations voting window, which began Wednesday, has also been extended until Tuesday, Jan. 14, with the nominations announcement pushed back to Sunday, Jan. 19.
And the Writers Guild Awards nominations, which had been set to be unveiled Thursday, will now be revealed Monday.
Additional cancellations include the American Cinematheque crafts tribute set for Thursday, Friday’s AFI Awards luncheon and BAFTA’s Saturday tea party. AFI said in a statement, “Given the tragedies that prevail in Los Angeles, the spirit of community we strive for at AFI Awards will be unachievable on Friday — and so we will be postponing the event.” BAFTA said, “The safety of our colleagues, friends and peers in Los Angeles remains our utmost priority and our thoughts are with everyone impacted.”
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Unified School District and Las Virgenes Unified said Wednesday night that all schools in the districts would be closed Thursday. Pasadena Unified schools are closed through Friday.
Mesfin Fekadu contributed to this report.
This story is developing.
Best of The Hollywood Reporter
Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.