Actors Who Escaped House Fires

Wildfires and house fires hit fast, and even famous names sometimes have just minutes to get out. These stories show how quickly people can lose homes and memories, and how important it is to act fast, follow evacuation orders, and have a plan for pets and loved ones. Many of these incidents happened around Malibu and the greater Los Angeles area, where seasonal winds and dry conditions can turn a spark into a fast moving blaze.

You will see different types of emergencies here, from a garage fire that raced through a coastal home to wildfires that swept entire neighborhoods. In every case, the focus is on what happened, how the actors and their families got out, and what they did next. Details include places, dates, and practical takeaways, like what triggered the fire and whether rebuilding began later.

Meryl Streep

In January 2025 Meryl Streep escaped fast moving fires near Pasadena when a fallen tree blocked her driveway and she had to cut through a garden fence to drive out through a neighbor’s yard. Officials reported heavy damage in multiple Los Angeles communities that week and residents were told to evacuate quickly as winds changed.

Her house was not reported destroyed and she later described the traffic gridlock as she left. The incident highlighted how downed trees and debris can trap vehicles during evacuations, and why having more than one way out is important when fire conditions escalate.

Pierce Brosnan

On February 11, 2015 a fire started in the garage of Pierce Brosnan’s Malibu home and spread before firefighters contained it. Crews kept the flames from moving deeper into the residence and there were no reported injuries after a rapid evacuation.

Damage estimates ran high because the blaze reached parts of the structure near the garage. Brosnan and his family later dealt with wildfire threats again years after the garage incident, a reminder that coastal communities face both home based fires and regional wildfires during peak seasons.

Ricki Lake

On September 18, 2010 Ricki Lake and her two sons ran out of their rented beach house on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu as flames took hold. Authorities said the fire grew quickly once it reached nearby furnishings and the family dog was also brought out safely.

The home was destroyed within hours and neighboring houses were threatened until firefighters stopped the spread. Lake later marked the date each year as a reminder to review escape plans and to keep ignition sources under control inside small beachfront rentals.

Richard Pryor

In June 1980 Richard Pryor suffered severe burns when a fire erupted at his Los Angeles home and he fled into the street before responders arrived. He sustained life threatening injuries and spent weeks in a specialized burn center while investigators documented the circumstances inside the house.

The incident changed his work schedule for months and required extensive recovery. He eventually returned to acting and stand up, and the episode became part of safety discussions about hazardous behavior around open flame in residential settings.

Miley Cyrus

In November 2018 Miley Cyrus evacuated as the Woolsey Fire moved through Malibu and later confirmed her home was gone. She was out of the country shooting an episode of ‘Black Mirror’ when the flames reached the property and coordinated from afar while loved ones got to safety.

Years later she shared updates on rebuilding and described sorting through what could be replaced and what could not. The loss also spurred donations to relief efforts and drew attention to how quickly evacuation zones can shift during large wind driven events.

Liam Hemsworth

Liam Hemsworth evacuated during the same Woolsey Fire that burned through Malibu in 2018 and returned to find the house destroyed. He posted photos of the remains to raise awareness about the scale of damage across the region and to thank first responders working through difficult terrain.

Following the fire he focused on cleanup on the lot and on immediate needs for neighbors who also lost homes. The experience added to public conversations about defensible space around structures and the importance of ready to go bags during red flag warnings.

Gerard Butler

Gerard Butler evacuated Malibu during the Woolsey Fire in November 2018 and later shared a photo of his burned home and scorched hillside. He described returning only after authorities allowed residents back into the area to check on damage and to secure properties.

In the months after the fire he outlined the steps needed before reconstruction, including debris removal and inspections. His updates helped explain the long timeline many homeowners face after total loss, from permits to insurance reviews and contractor selection.

Mark Hamill

During the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires Mark Hamill left Malibu with his family and their dog as flames moved along the coast. He posted practical details about leaving early and thanked crews who were rerouting traffic and clearing flare ups near residential streets.

Hamill later emphasized how evacuation alerts arrived across multiple channels at once and how that redundancy helped get them out in time. The account matched what many neighbors reported that week, with shifting wind pushing embers toward homes and causing spot fires along canyon roads.

Cary Elwes

Cary Elwes and his family evacuated during the January 2025 Palisades fire and later confirmed their Malibu home was lost. He noted that they were safe and focused on supporting others who were displaced while the fire burned through coastal neighborhoods.

His updates included the basics of next steps after a total loss, such as temporary housing, documenting damage for claims, and registering with local assistance centers. The experience underlined how quickly wildfires can move through older beachfront areas with limited exit routes.

Adam Brody

Adam Brody left the Pacific Palisades with his family in January 2025 as fast moving fire lines approached, and soon after he confirmed their house had burned. He appeared at an awards event days later and referenced the loss while also thanking the people who helped his family during the evacuation.

In follow ups he mentioned balancing work commitments with insurance and recovery paperwork. His experience showed how after a major fire families often juggle childcare, lodging, and document replacement alongside the emotional impact of losing a home.

Leighton Meester

Leighton Meester evacuated alongside Adam Brody during the January 2025 Palisades fire and later learned their property was destroyed. Images from the neighborhood showed entire blocks reduced to foundations and chimneys as crews worked to contain flare ups near the coast.

She and Brody coordinated with local authorities to check the property once reentry began for residents. Their situation mirrored what many households faced that week, including utility shutoffs, road closures, and the need for masks because of smoke and ash.

Jeff Bridges

In January 2025 Jeff Bridges’ longtime family home in Malibu was reported lost during the Palisades fire after evacuations in the area. The property had passed through the Bridges family for decades and sat along an oceanfront stretch that saw repeated closures due to smoke and embers.

Updates from representatives focused on family safety and gratitude for responders. The story added historical context about multi generational homes in Malibu and how repeat fire years have changed building codes and landscaping guidelines for coastal properties.

John C. Reilly

John C. Reilly’s Altadena residence was reported destroyed during the January 2025 Eaton fire after officials ordered evacuations as winds picked up. The foothill location faced ember driven spread that jumped streets and ignited vegetation near homes.

Neighbors described evacuating with little notice as ash fell across front yards. Reilly’s case highlighted how inland communities north of downtown face their own fire corridors and how residents check multiple routes out when the closest canyon road closes.

Anna Faris

Anna Faris evacuated during the January 2025 Los Angeles fires and later confirmed her home was among those lost. The neighborhood saw repeated flare ups that kept residents out for days while inspectors assessed structural hazards and utility crews worked to restore service.

Afterward she focused on immediate relief needs and shared information on donation points and local shelters. Her experience echoed the checklists that emergency officials promote, including photographing possessions for records and keeping key documents in a small go bag.

Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins evacuated during the January 2025 Southern California wildfires and reports later listed his Malibu home among those destroyed. The actor kept updates brief while officials managed roadblocks and residents waited for escorted reentry to collect essential items.

His loss added to a broader picture of damage across well known coastal neighborhoods. The incident reinforced guidance that even homes with ocean exposure can face extreme fire risk during seasonal wind events and prolonged drought.

Share your thoughts below and tell us which other stories of quick thinking during home fires you think readers should know.