The relentless wildfires in Los Angeles have continued to instill fear and wreak havoc, leaving many in distress, including actress Jamie Lee Curtis, 66.
During her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on January 8, Curtis grew visibly emotional as she discussed the wildfire threatening her home.
While Hollywood stars are often seen through a lens of glamour, it’s easy to forget they too face personal challenges, as these fires have tragically reminded us.
Curtis was en route to New York City for her appearance when she received alarming news about the fire nearing her Pacific Palisades residence.
Although her home was ultimately spared, the destruction around her was profound, with many of her neighbors losing everything.
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“I’m literally just about to cry”
Curtis was on the show to promote her film The Last Showgirl, but the conversation quickly turned to the wildfires, bringing her to tears.
“I’m literally just about to cry. Mostly because of that beautiful welcome,” she began, reacting to the audience’s applause. A fan even shouted, “You’re beautiful!”
Through tears, Curtis continued, “As you know, where I live is on fire right now. Literally, the entire city of the Pacific Palisades is burning.”
She recalled the moment she realized the severity of the situation: “I flew here last night. I was on the plane, started getting texts. And it’s f**ing gnarly, you guys. It’s just a catastrophe in Southern California.”
Curtis expressed deep sorrow for those affected, saying, “This is literally where I live. Everything. The market I shop in. The schools my kids go to. Friends, many, many, many, many, many friends now have lost their homes.”
A heartfelt plea
The devastation in her voice was unmistakable as she vowed to return to Los Angeles as soon as possible. “It’s a really awful situation. I am, you know, obviously going to go home first thing tomorrow and be with my family and try to help my friends.”
Curtis then urged the audience to support the American Red Cross. “If you know anybody on the West Coast or not, the American Red Cross, support them. They will come in and help people. Do anything you can. Anything in your community to help people, whether you need it or not now, you will need it. Give blood, donate, whatever.”
As a Red Cross ambassador, Curtis highlighted the importance of preparedness. “Have an emergency kit with prescription glasses, medicines, dog food, baby formula, all the things you need if you have to flee.”
She later posted on Instagram, sharing an image of her charred church in Pacific Palisades. “This is the church in the Palisades that had a beautiful Sunday school and school and was a gorgeous house of worship and is the building that I got sober in 25 years ago,” she wrote.
Reflecting on its meaning, she added, “I think of all of the souls who came there for comfort and solace and all the baptisms and funerals and weddings and the thousands of people who reclaimed their lives through sobriety.”
Wants to stay close to her family
Curtis, who has two daughters—Ruby, 25, and Annie, 34—with her husband, screenwriter Christopher Guest, reiterated her resolve to return home to support her family and community. “It’s a really awful situation,” she said. “I am going home tomorrow to be with my family and try to help my friends.”
The fires have claimed at least five lives, destroyed 2,000 structures, and left countless residents displaced. As emergency responders battle to contain the flames amid harsh conditions, Curtis’s emotional plea underscores the importance of community support during such crises. Let’s keep those affected in our thoughts and extend help where we can.