Mel Gibson says his home burned down in LA fires
Mel Gibson has disclosed that his home was destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires while he was away recording an episode of Joe Rogan’s podcast.
The Oscar-winning actor shared that his Malibu property was “completely toasted” and expressed frustration with California Governor Gavin Newsom over the ongoing crisis.
At least 10 lives have been lost in the wildfires, which have consumed thousands of buildings and led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents.
Several celebrities have shared their own stories of losing homes, while officials have warned that high winds could worsen the fires.
Gibson said he felt “ill at ease” while visiting Austin, Texas, for the podcast, knowing his neighborhood was “on fire.”
“It’s kind of devastating, it’s emotional,” Gibson said during an appearance on NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas Reports. “I’ve been relieved from the burden of my stuff because it’s all in cinders.”
Having lived at the property for about 15 years, the Braveheart star revealed that several of his neighbors, including actor Ed Harris, had also lost their homes.
He confirmed that his family had followed evacuation orders and were safe.
During his podcast conversation with Rogan, Gibson criticized Governor Newsom, accusing him of failing to act on his promise to “take care of the forests,” stating that he “didn’t do anything.”
“I think all our tax dollars probably went for Gavin’s hair gel,” the actor said.
Los Angeles is facing the worst wildfires in its history, which have consumed 31,000 acres (12,500 hectares) of land and led to the evacuation of 180,000 people.
Five wildfires are still burning across the LA areas of Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, Hurst, and Lidia.
California fire chief David Acuna told Radio 4’s Today program that 10,000 structures are likely to have been destroyed. He also warned that winds over the coming days could lead to further destruction in the area.
Republican President-elect Donald Trump has called for Newsom, a Democrat, to resign over his handling of the crisis, saying “one of the best and most beautiful” parts of the US is “burning down to the ground”.
Newsom has defended the response and said state authorities were “throwing everything at our disposal” to protect communities.
The governor’s spokeswoman accused Trump of politicizing the disaster and said Newsom was focused on protecting people and making sure firefighters have the resources they need.
US President Joe Biden said he had pledged extra federal resources to help California after “the most widespread, devastating fire” in the state’s history.
Paris Hilton and Billy Crystal are among the celebrities whose homes have been destroyed in the wildfires.
Hilton, the hotel heiress and reality TV star, shared a video of the remains of her property on social media and said “The heartbreak is truly indescribable”.
Actor Crystal said in a statement that he and his wife Janice were “heartbroken” by the loss of their Pacific Palisades home where they had lived since 1979.
TV host Ricki Lake said she had lost her “dream home”, adding: “I grieve along with all of those suffering during this apocalyptic event.”
The US Office star Rainn Wilson shared a video of his burnt-out home and said there was a “valuable lesson” to learn from the wildfires.
Actors Sir Anthony Hopkins, John Goodman, Anna Faris and Cary Elwes also reportedly lost their homes.
Meanwhile, actor Steve Guttenberg, a Pacific Palisades resident, helped to move parked cars to make way for fire engines.
“This is not a parking lot,” he told KTLA. “I have friends up there and they can’t evacuate.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who live in California, are understood to have invited into their home friends and loved ones who had been forced to evacuate.
In a statement on their website, Harry and Meghan said: “If a friend, loved one, or pet has to evacuate, and you are able to offer them a safe haven in your home, please do.”
