A home reduced to stone and ashes during the aftermath of the Palisades fire. Bloomberg
A home reduced to stone and ashes during the aftermath of the Palisades fire. Bloomberg
A home reduced to stone and ashes during the aftermath of the Palisades fire. Bloomberg
A home reduced to stone and ashes during the aftermath of the Palisades fire. Bloomberg

Which celebrities have lost homes in LA fires?


Faisal Al Zaabi
  • English
  • Arabic

Wind-fuelled wildfires have torn through the greater Los Angeles area, including neighbourhoods that are home to the Hollywood elite.

Parts of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Mulholland Drive down to the famed Hollywood Boulevard had been placed in the mandatory evacuation zone. The fires have also affected the coming nominations announcement for the Academy Awards, which were supposed to be on January 17 but have now been pushed to January 19.

Many celebrities who live in the area have posted on social media about the state of their homes. Here are some who have shared updates about their homes.

Mark Hamill

Actor Mark Hamill was among the tens of thousands of people affected by wildfires tearing through Los Angeles on January 8. Hamill told his followers on Instagram that he had fled his Malibu home on January 7. Photo: AFP
Actor Mark Hamill was among the tens of thousands of people affected by wildfires tearing through Los Angeles on January 8. Hamill told his followers on Instagram that he had fled his Malibu home on January 7. Photo: AFP

The actor best known for Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars films posted a message on Instagram that read: "7pm. Evacuated Malibu so last-minute there were small fires on both sides of the road as we approached PCH [Pacific Coast Highway]." He also described the situation as the "most horrific fire since '93", referring to the Kinneloa Fire, which lasted for six days in 1993 and caused damages totalling $65.5 million.

Chet Hanks

Actor Tom Hanks with his son Chet Hanks attending a baseball game at Dodger Stadium. Chet Hanks shared on social media that his family home was destroyed in the fire.Photo: USA TODAY Sports
Actor Tom Hanks with his son Chet Hanks attending a baseball game at Dodger Stadium. Chet Hanks shared on social media that his family home was destroyed in the fire.Photo: USA TODAY Sports

The son of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson posted on Instagram: "The neighbourhood I grew up in is burning to the ground right now. Pray for the Palisades." He followed it up with another note: “Tell the ones you love that you love them. Can’t take anything for granted people not even places. Never thought the last time I drove through my neighbourhood would be the last time I ever laid eyes on it. Everything just memories now.

Jamie Lee Curtis

Oscar-winner and star of the Halloween movies, Curtis posted a picture on Instagram showing a house being ravaged by fire from the inside as a Christmas tree is reduced to burnt branches. In the caption, she wrote: “My community and possibly my home is on fire, my family is safe. Many of my friends will lose their homes. Many other communities as well. There are so many conflicting reports. With all the technology there seems to be very little information. Please post facts! It will help those wondering!”

James Woods

Two-time Oscar-nominated actor James Woods posted on X: “To all the wonderful people who’ve reached out to us, thank you for being so concerned. Just letting you know that we were able to evacuate successfully. I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing, but sadly houses on our little street are not.” The actor also called CNN to talk about his home during which he appeared to break down in tears.

Paris Hilton

Media personality Paris Hilton said she watched her seafront Malibu home burn to the ground on live television, writing on Instagram that she was "heartbroken beyond words. Photo: AFP
Media personality Paris Hilton said she watched her seafront Malibu home burn to the ground on live television, writing on Instagram that she was "heartbroken beyond words. Photo: AFP

The reality show star and entrepreneur posted footage of the fire on Instagram alongside a caption that read: “Heartbroken beyond words. Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burned to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience.” Hilton added that she was grateful that her family and pets were safe.

The Palisades Fire burns a beachfront property on Wednesday. AP
The Palisades Fire burns a beachfront property on Wednesday. AP

Billy Crystal

Comedian Billy Crystal said the home he and his family lived in for the past 46 years was razed by the fires. Crystal told People: "We raised our children and grandchildren here. 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."

Adam Brody and Leighton Meester

The married stars' Pacific Palisades home has reportedly been destroyed in the fires, though neither performer has commented publicly.

Eugene Levy

The Schitt's Creek star's $3.9 million home in California has reportedly burned to the ground. The two-storey house, while small by celebrity standards, was primarily used by the Canadian comedian when he was filming in the area. "The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon, I couldn't see any flames, but the smoke was very dark," he told the Los Angeles Times, while stuck in gridlock traffic as he tried to evacuate the area.

A chimney stands amid the rubble after the passage of the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades. AFP
A chimney stands amid the rubble after the passage of the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades. AFP

Cary Elwes

The star of the first Saw film and Princess Bride announced he has lost his home with a post on Instagram. "Sadly we did lose our home, but we are grateful to have survived this truly devastating fire," he said. "Our hearts go out to all the families impacted by this tragic event and we also wish to extend our gratitude to all the fire fighters, first responders and law enforcement who worked so tirelessly through the night and are still at it."

Anthony Hopkins

British actor Anthony Hopkins reportedly lost his luxurious home. Pictures appeared to show the 87-year-old's property burned to the ground, though Hopkins has yet to issue a public statement. Photo: AFP
British actor Anthony Hopkins reportedly lost his luxurious home. Pictures appeared to show the 87-year-old's property burned to the ground, though Hopkins has yet to issue a public statement. Photo: AFP

Several reports say that the Oscar-winning star's home was burned down from the fires. The actor had moved to his home in the Pacific Palisades area in 2021. The classic colonial house had four bedrooms and five bathrooms, and was reportedly purchased by Hopkins for $6 million.

Mel Gibson

The Australian actor and director was in Austin, Texas to record an episode of the Joe Rogan podcast when his Malibu home was consumed by the fires. Gibson told NewsNation “Obviously, it’s kind of devastating. It’s emotional."

Milo Ventimiglia

The actor, known for his roles on This Is Us and Gilmore Girls, shared on social media that he and his pregnant wife have lost their Malibu home to the fires. Ventimiglia told CBS News, "I think there’s a kind of shock moment where you’re going, ‘Oh, this is real and this is happening,’ and then, at a certain point, we just turn it off.”

Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges in a scene from "The Old Man." The actor's family home in Malibu was destroyed in the fire. Photo: FX via AP
Jeff Bridges in a scene from "The Old Man." The actor's family home in Malibu was destroyed in the fire. Photo: FX via AP

The Oscar-winning actor's family home in Malibu has reportedly been consumed by the fires. Bridges, alongside his brother Beau Bridges and their sister, inherited the home from their parents. Their father, Lloyd Bridges, was a comedic actor in Hollywood since the 1930s until his death in 1998.

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).

Kanye%20West
%3Cp%3EYe%20%E2%80%94%20the%20rapper%20formerly%20known%20as%20Kanye%20West%20%E2%80%94%20has%20seen%20his%20net%20worth%20fall%20to%20%24400%20million%20in%20recent%20weeks.%20That%E2%80%99s%20a%20precipitous%20drop%20from%20Bloomberg%E2%80%99s%20estimates%20of%20%246.8%20billion%20at%20the%20end%20of%202021.%3Cbr%3EYe%E2%80%99s%20wealth%20plunged%20after%20business%20partners%2C%20including%20Adidas%2C%20severed%20ties%20with%20him%20on%20the%20back%20of%20anti-Semitic%20remarks%20earlier%20this%20year.%3Cbr%3EWest%E2%80%99s%20present%20net%20worth%20derives%20from%20cash%2C%20his%20music%2C%20real%20estate%20and%20a%20stake%20in%20former%20wife%20Kim%20Kardashian%E2%80%99s%20shapewear%20firm%2C%20Skims.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ICC Awards for 2021

MEN

Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)

T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)

ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)

WOMEN

Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)

ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)

T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

Profile of Foodics

Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani

Based: Riyadh

Sector: Software

Employees: 150

Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing

Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.

The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000

Engine 3.6L V6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm

Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km

'Nope'
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jordan%20Peele%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Daniel%20Kaluuya%2C%20Keke%20Palmer%2C%20Brandon%20Perea%2C%20Steven%20Yeun%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE SIXTH SENSE

Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Rating: 5/5

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

'The Batman'

Stars:Robert Pattinson

Director:Matt Reeves

Rating: 5/5

The line up

Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego  

Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh  

Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com

The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre V8

Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm

Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: L/100km

Price: Dh306,495

On sale: now

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Euro 2020 qualifier

Russia v Scotland, Thursday, 10.45pm (UAE)

TV: Match on BeIN Sports 

RESULTS

Time; race; prize; distance

4pm: Maiden; (D) Dh150,000; 1,200m
Winner: General Line, Xavier Ziani (jockey), Omar Daraj (trainer)

4.35pm: Maiden (T); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Travis County, Adrie de Vries, Ismail Mohammed

5.10pm: Handicap (D); Dh175,000; 1,200m
Winner: Scrutineer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

5.45pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

6.20pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Ejaaby, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson

6.55pm: Handicap (D); Dh160,000; 1,600m
Winner: Storyboard, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

7.30pm: Handicap (D); Dh150,000; 2,200m
Winner: Grand Dauphin, Gerald Mosse, Ahmed Al Shemaili

8.05pm: Handicap (T); Dh190,000; 1,800m
Winner: Good Trip, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Updated: January 10, 2025, 12:28 PM