James Woods, the 77-year-old actor, has described his survival as a miracle after his home in the Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, managed to withstand the deadly wildfire that has ravaged the upscale neighborhood.
Woods had been evacuated earlier in the week as the Palisades Fire, which ignited on Tuesday, rapidly spread through the area. At the time, he was devastated, believing his home had been lost to the flames. In an emotional interview with CNN, Woods tearfully reflected on the destruction surrounding him, but he later shared the good news on social media.
“A miracle has happened,” Woods wrote on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that his home, which he had been told was gone, was still standing. “In this hellish landscape ‘standing’ is relative, but smoke and other damage is not like the utter destruction around us.”
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Woods posted a video showing his house in the distance, sharing the view from the deck area, as a reminder of the resilience of the property amidst the destruction.
In his interview, Woods admitted he was overcome with emotion. “I thought I’d be stronger than this,” he said, choking up as he spoke about the house he and his wife, Sarah, had recently renovated. He reminisced about the peaceful life they had built there, mentioning how swimming in the pool helped lower his blood pressure and how they enjoyed the stunning views of the surrounding area, calling it “paradise.”
He added, “One day you’re swimming in the pool and the next day it’s all gone.”
Woods also expressed concern for his elderly neighbor, a 94-year-old man with dementia who lives alone. In the chaos of the fire, Woods and his wife were forced to evacuate with only “the clothes on our backs.” Woods contacted the police, requesting a wellness check for his neighbor, and authorities found the man alone in his pantry, with many homes around them already in flames.
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Though Woods’ home was spared, many other prominent residents of the Pacific Palisades area weren’t as fortunate. Celebrities including Mel Gibson, Anthony Hopkins, Billy Crystal, Mandy Moore, Tina Knowles, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, Eugene Levy, Adam Brody, and Leighton Meester have lost their homes in the fire, which remains only 8% contained.
As the Palisades Fire continues to wreak havoc on the neighborhood, Woods’ miraculous escape has been a beacon of hope amid the devastation.
