The number of devastating fires still raging through Los Angeles is taking a toll on the film industry as the crisis enters its third day, with more events being canceled and stars like Billy Crystal and Mandy Moore mourn the destruction of their homes.
The announcement of the Oscar nominations was delayed by two days amid the ongoing fires. The list of stars and films for awards will now be published on January 19, instead of January 17.
Voting, which opened on Monday for nearly 10,000 members of the Academy, has been extended by two days, now ending on January 14. Academy CEO Bill Kramer has expressed his condolences to those affected by the fires in a letter sent to members.
“So many of our members and business colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are thinking of you,” the letter said.
On Thursday morning in Los Angeles, firefighters were battling four separate fires stretching from the Pacific Coast to inland Pasadena. At least five people have been killed, and 130,000 people are under evacuation orders.
Just a few days ago, the biggest stars in Hollywood walked the red carpet at the Golden Globes to launch the awards season.
Now, major industry events have been thrown off course while the world of film reels from the fires. The Critics Choice Awards, held in Santa Monica, have been rescheduled from January 12th to January 26th. Screen Actors Guild Award nominations were announced Wednesday with a press release instead of an in-person announcement. The AFI Awards luncheon and BAFTA Tea Party have been delayed from their originally planned dates of January 10 and January 11, respectively.
Premieres for movies like A better man and The Last Showgirl has been cancelled, and shooting for shows and films has been stopped in the affected area.
The largest of the fires has been burning since Tuesday morning, when it tore through the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood, sending residents scrambling to escape and leaving roads full of abandoned cars.
'We raised our children and grandchildren here'
Billy Crystal and his wife, Janice, said in a statement Wednesday that the home they lived in for 45 years was destroyed in the Palisades fire.
“Janice and I have lived in our home since 1979,” they wrote. “We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that cannot be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and our friends we will get through this.”
Singer and actor Mandy Moore, who left with her family on Tuesday, said Wednesday that she had lost her home in Altadena, near the Palisades.
“Honestly, I'm in shock and feeling thin,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “My children's school is gone. Our favorite restaurants are leveled. So many friends and loved ones have lost everything too. Our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild build together.”
Paris Hilton shared a news clip to Instagram on Wednesday, saying that watching her Malibu home “burn down on live TV is something no one should have to experience.” “
She said that house is where her son Phoenix took his first steps and where they built “so many precious memories.”
“Although the loss is terrible, I am thankful that my family and pets are safe. My heart and prayers go out to all the families affected by these fires.”
Cary Elwes, famous for The Princess Bride and other films, shared on Instagram that his home was also lost in the Palisades fire.
“Unfortunately we lost our home but we are thankful to have survived this devastating fire,” he wrote.
Other celebrities known to have homes in the area include Adam Sandler, Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. Canadian actor Eugene Levy was among those evacuated on Tuesday, reports say the Los Angeles Times he had to escape through a dark fog.
Star wars Actor Mark Hamill evacuated his home in Malibu on Tuesday, saying there were “small fires on both sides of the road” while they were driving.
Reality TV stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, of The Hills fame, confirmed on social media that their home was lost in the Palisades fire.
Montag said Wednesday that she had only packed two pairs of jeans and two shirts for herself before they left.
“I got a lot more clothes for the kids,” she said in an Instagram story. With emotion creeping into her voice, she said they were thinking “of course I'm coming back” as they co – decide what they would take.
“Just praying for everyone else going through this. “
