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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
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
HAJJAN
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