James Woods has lost his Pacific Palisades home in the Southern California fires that continue to devastate parts of Los Angeles.
Speaking on CNN, the 77-year-old “Vampires” and “Once Upon a Time in America” actor broke down in tears discussing the harrowing situation in his neighborhood.
“One day you’re swimming in the pool and the next day it’s all gone,” Woods said, speaking on-air with CNN’s Pamela Brown.
He recalled an emotional moment when his wife Sara Miller-Woods’ 8-year-old niece retrieved her piggy bank in order to help them rebuild their house.
Woods recounted his evacuation, and how he helped his 94-year-old neighbor, who has dementia, get to safety. “He’d been left alone,” Woods said. “There was so much chaos, it was like an inferno. Every house was on fire around us.”
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Speaking about the destruction, Woods said, “I thought I would be stronger than this,” before wiping tears from his eyes.
Brown responded: “Strength is not measured by whether you hold in crying … strength is what you are doing now in helping your neighbors and shining a light on the great, amazing work of all those firefighters and emergency crews.”
On Tuesday, Woods documented the fire sweeping the Palisades on X, posting photos and videos of his neighborhood engulfed in flames.
“There is no possession as priceless as friends and good neighbors during a tragedy,” he wrote. “I can’t believe the blessings we enjoy, and I am humbly grateful.”
As additional fires have broken out across Southern California, forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate their homes, Hollywood has canceled a slew of premieres and events. Shows including “Hacks” and “Suits L.A.” have also halted production. The Critics Choice Awards, which were set to take place in Santa Monica on Sunday, have been postponed, with a date to be determined.