Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis and her family are pledging one million dollars (€971,034) to start a “fund of support” for those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.
A series of major fires in California have killed five people, ravaged communities, and sent thousands of people frantically fleeing their properties, including areas dotted with celebrity homes.
TV personality Paris Hilton, US actor Billy Crystal, The Princess Bride star Cary Elwes, talk show host Ricki Lake and Oscar-winning songwriter Diane Warren are among those who have confirmed that their residences have been destroyed in the fires.
On Thursday, in a social media post, film star Curtis, 66, said she would be taking money from a foundation set up by her family to aid the areas most impacted.
She said: “As the fire still rages on and @calfire @losangelesfiredepartment and all the available first responders and agencies involved in fighting fire and saving lives are still hard at work and neighbors and friends are banding together to save each other.
“My husband and I and our children have pledged one million dollars from our Family Foundation to start a fund of support for our great city and state and the great people who live and love there.
“I’m in communication with Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass and Senator Schiff as to where those funds need to be directed for the most impact.”
Freaky Friday star Curtis, who won a best supporting gong at the Academy Awards in 2023 for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once, is married to actor Christopher Guest and the pair share daughters Annie and Ruby.
The actress appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s chat show on Wednesday night and became emotional while discussing the fires.
“Where I live is on fire right now, literally the entire city of the Pacific Palisades is burning," she said, adding that many of her friends have lost their homes.
The blazes have thrown Hollywood’s awards season into disarray, with the Producers Guild Awards announcing they will delay their nominations from Friday to Sunday.
The Screen Actors Guild Awards cancelled a live nominations announcement because of the wildfires, and a number of film premieres were called off as well.
Thousands of firefighters were attempting to contain the original Palisades fire, with at least 70,000 people forced to evacuate their homes as the metropolitan area became blanketed in a thick cloud of smoke and ash.
A new fire broke out in the Hollywood Hills, threatening a host of tourist sites including the Walk of Fame, and Hollywood Bowl, which has evacuated staff, as strong winds scattered embers, which could affect more homes and lives.
On Thursday, The Hobbit film series star Richard Armitage, who has spent time filming in Los Angeles as well as working with Hollywood stars, told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “There was a lot of texting last night, I’ve got representatives and friends and colleagues (in the area)… making sure they’re okay, but also thinking they’re busy dealing with evacuations.
“But it is apocalyptic. I’ve never seen it.”
US socialite Hilton said she was “heartbroken beyond words” to see her Malibu home “burn to the ground on live TV” as she watched the news with her family – including her son Phoenix and daughter London whom she shares with husband Carter Reum.
She called the loss “overwhelming”, and said the home was filled with “precious memories” including Phoenix taking his first steps.
Meanwhile US actor Crystal, and his wife Janice, said “words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing," in a statement to the PA news agency, following their home of 46 years being destroyed in the blaze.
The couple added that “every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away," after they raised the children in the house, which they had lived in since 1979.
A string of stars shared harrowing stories of having to flee their homes, including Mark Hamill, James Woods and Mandy Moore.
Sharing footage of the destruction in her neighbourhood, This Is Us actress Moore wrote on Instagram: “Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all so many have lost, including my family.
“My children’s school is gone. Our favourite restaurants, levelled. So many friends and loved ones have lost everything too. Our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together.”
The Hills stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag also confirmed they had lost their home in the blaze.
The pair, who married for the second time in 2009, documented the escalation of the fire on their Snapchat stories with Pratt saying: “I’m watching our house burn down on the security cameras.”
Montag said: “So our house is on fire and we were able to get out in time, but I keep going over and over in my mind of the things I should’ve got, but we’re out safe and that is the most important thing, and Spencer is behind me.”
In a later post, she said while tearing up: “I’m so sad our house has gone” as they had lost “everything we worked so hard for”.
TV personality Khloe Kardashian, and comedian and actor Adam Sandler were among those thanking firefighters, law enforcement, and volunteers for their work protecting residents, and homes.
