‘Apocalyptic’: Celebrity homes destroyed by L.A. wildfires

By Charlie Lankston

Actress Anna Faris‘ $5 million Pacific Palisades home has been destroyed in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, it’s been revealed—as reports surfaced that married actors Adam Brody and Leighton Meester have also lost their $6.5 million house to the deadly blaze.

The fires began tearing through Pacific Palisades on Jan. 7 and have since burned more than 15,000 acres (6,070 hectares), decimating more than 1,000 properties in the process, although the full extent of the damage is still unknown.

More than 30,000 people were evacuated from their homes as the flames quickly spread across Malibu and Santa Monica, with California Governor Gavin Newsom declaring a state of emergency as firefighters desperately battled to contain the horrifying blaze.

The devastating Los Angeles wildfires have reportedly destroyed the homes of dozens of celebrities, including Anna Faris, Adam Brody and Leighton Meester. Picture: Getty Images; Instagram

Dozens of celebrities were among those forced to flee in a bid to escape the fires, however it has now been revealed that several of them no longer have homes to return to.

Shocking images published by TMZ reveal that a $4.9 million mansion purchased by Faris, 48, in 2018 has been turned into rubble by the wildfires, with the swimming pool structure seen in the backyard without any water, suggesting it had been evaporated by the staggering heat.

A second series of photos shared by the New York Post show Meester and Brody’s marital home engulfed in flames that have almost completely destroyed the structure.

Anna Faris is among the celebrities whose homes have been destroyed in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Picture: Instagram/Anna Faris

The roof of the couple’s home in Pacific Palisades appears to have collapsed, while the exterior of the property is seen covered in smoke, with the walls slowly burning to the ground.

Meester and Brody, who wed in 2014, purchased the modern five-bedroom, six-bathroom property in 2019, property records show. In its listing, the home, which totalled nearly 6,000 square feet (557 square metres), was described as an “impeccable” design with “sensational ocean views.”

Neither of the on-screen stars, who share two children, have commented on the state of their home, however there is no evidence to suggest that they did not make it to safety before the fires spread through their neighbourhood.

Adam Brody and Leighton Meester’s $6.5 million family home has also been razed to the ground. Picture: Instagram/Leighton Meester

Similarly Faris—who bought her home after her divorce from Marvel star Chris Pratt—has yet to release a statement about the fire’s destruction of her property.

The two pricey abodes are the latest in a line of celebrity homes that have been obliterated by the deadly fires, which have already claimed at least five lives.

On the morning of Jan. 8, it was revealed that Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag had also lost their Palisades home to the flames, with the former sharing several updates on social media as the blaze tore through the area towards their dwelling.

Adam Brody and Leighton Meester purchased the sprawling property in 2019. Picture: Google Maps

Describing the scenes as a “nightmare come true,” Pratt later shared a security camera photo of his son’s bedroom being engulfed by flames, while also revealing that his parents had lost their home to the fires.

However they are not the only ones to have seen their homes eviscerated by the wildfires, which were at zero percent containment at the time of writing, per the California Fire Department’s website.

Oscar-nominated actor James Woods was also among those to have fled their Palisades home, only to later discover that it had been destroyed, while Ricki Lake revealed on Instagram that her “dream home” was also “gone.”

Residents who live on the same street as the home where Matthew Perry died revealed the fires were heading to their properties. Picture: Instagram

“I can’t believe I am typing these words,” she wrote, while sharing several images of herself and her husband, Ross Burningham, in and around the property.

“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.

Reality star Spencer Pratt and wife Heidi Montag also lost their home in the fires. Picture: TikTok/Spencer Pratt

“This loss is immeasurable. It’s the spot where we got married 3 years ago. I grieve along with all of those suffering during this apocalyptic event. Praying for all of my neighbors, my friends, my community, the animals, the firefighters and first responders. More to share soon of how we escaped with Dolly and not much else. For now I grieve.”

It’s also thought that the home in which “Friends” actor Matthew Perry died has also been surrounded by fire after live maps tracking the blaze showed the address engulfed.

The true extent of the damage is not yet known and will likely not be revealed until days after the fires have subsided, however multiple A-listers are known to own properties in the affected areas, including Tom Hanks, Ben Affleck, Reese Witherspoon, Adam Sandler, and Miles Teller.

The couple lived in the property with their two children, but managed to evacuate before the home was engulfed. Picture: Google Maps

Affleck—who recently finalised his divorce from Jennifer Lopez—was seen returning to his $20.5 million Pacific Palisades mansion on the evening of Jan. 7, as the blaze approached the property. Images published by DailyMail.com show the actor with a stunned look on his face as he approached the home, which he purchased in July.

It is currently not known whether his home has been damaged by the fires.

“Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill revealed in a post shared on Instagram that he had evacuated his Malibu property, writing that his decision to leave was “last-minute.”

Ricki Lake revealed on Instagram that her “dream home” in Malibu had been burned down. Picture: Instagram/Ricki Lake

“Personal fire update,” he began his post. “7PM—evacuated Malibu so last-minute there [were] small fires on both sides of the road as we approached PCH [Pacific Coast Highway]. 8:15PM—Maribou, Trizie &. I arrive at Chelsea’s house in Hollywood.

“Most horrific fire since ’93. Stay safe!”

“This Is Us” star Mandy Moore, who recently sold her former Pasadena residence, revealed that she and her family had also left their home, writing on her Instagram Stories that they were “evacuated and safe with kids, dog and cats.”

“Praying and grateful for the first responders,” she added.

“Halloween” star Jamie Lee Curtis, who lives in a Santa Monica mansion with her husband, Christopher Guest, confirmed that she and her loved ones were safe, but noted that she has no idea if her home has been caught up in the fire.

“My community and possibly my home is on fire,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “My family is safe. Many of my friends will lose their homes. Many other communities as well.”

The full extent of the damage is still not known and likely will not be calculated until the fires have subsided. Picture: Apu Gomes/Getty Images

She then urged her followers to be wary of spreading “conflicting” information, advising people to only share facts rather than speculation.

“It is a terrifying situation and I’m grateful to the firefighters and all of the good Samaritans who are helping people get out of the way of the blaze,” she went on. “Neighbors have taken care of neighbors. We ALL take everything for granted because we are all living our lives but when it hits your community, it’s particularly shocking. Life on life’s terms.

“If ever there was need for the use of the phrase MY HAND IN YOURS, it is right now. Take care of each other. Stay out of the way and let the firefighters do their work. Pray if you believe in it and even if you don’t, pray for those who do.”

The fires began tearing through Pacific Palisades on Jan. 7 and have since burned more than 15,000 acres, decimating more than 1,000 properties in the process, although the full extent of the damage is still unknown. Picture: David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images

On Instagram, reality TV star Paris Hilton said she was heartbroken after her family’s Malibu home was believed to have burned down in the fires.

“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,” she said.

“While the loss is overwhelming, I’m holding onto gratitude that my family and pets are safe.”

At the time of publication, AP News reported at least five people had been killed in the fires.

This story was originally published on Realtor.com and has been updated with more recent information.

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