Mel Gibson, a 69-year-old Hollywood actor, lost his California house in the terrible Palisades fire.
The house where the actor and filmmaker had lived for 15 years was destroyed by a wildfire that started while he was in Austin, Texas, filming an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience.
Criticized Governor Gavin Newsom
Homes were quickly engulfed in flames as the fire swiftly spread throughout Gibson’s neighborhood, according to the BBC.
Luckily, before the fire reached his property, his longtime partner Rosalind Ross and their seven-year-old son Lars Gerard Gibson were able to safely leave.
Gibson already knew that his community was at jeopardy when he spoke with Joe Rogan. He claimed that the region was “on fire” and voiced his displeasure with California Governor Gavin Newsom’s lack of action.
The Academy Award-winning director criticized Newsom, remarking, ”I think all our tax dollars probably went for Gavin’s hair gel.”
Upon returning to California, the 69-year-old actor confirmed that his $14.5 million Malibu mansion had been completely destroyed. Speaking with Elizabeth Vargas Reports on NewsNation, he recalled his reaction: “I thought, ‘Eh, I wonder if my place is still there.’ When I got home, sure enough, it wasn’t there.”
Bought the property in 2008
For years, Mel Gibson had been trying to sell his enormous estate, even lowering the asking price by $3 million.
Built in 1996, the sprawling estate was purchased by Gibson for $11.5 million in 2008. The Daily Mail claimed that the five-bedroom home had a castle-like turret and a majestic, old-world elegance.
The actor acknowledged that the loss was extremely traumatic, but he was thankful that his family remained uninjured.
”I had a lot of personal things there that, you know, I can’t get back…” Gibson shared.
”All kinds of stuff, everything from photographs to files to, you know, just personal things that I had from over the years, and clothing, you know, pretty cool stuff, you know, but you know that can all be replaced.”
”These are only things. And the good news is that, you know, those in my family and those I love are all well, and we’re all happy and healthy and out of harm’s way; that’s all I can care about, really.”
Gibson said, “I’ve never seen such a complete burn,” describing the destruction in his area. He said that other famous people might have also lost their homes, such as Ed Harris, the actor who lives next door. According to reports, the fire also destroyed Paris Hilton’s and Billy Crystal’s residences.
”Completely toasted”
”It was completely toasted,” the Braveheart star said of his own property.
During his talk with Vargas, Mel Gibson also cracked a sinister joke.
”I went home and I said to myself, ‘Well, at least I haven’t got any of those pesky plumbing problems anymore.’”
He also added that his ”chickens survived; it was amazing.”
Many Californians, including well-known people like Gibson, have been affected by the ongoing wildfires. The devastation is yet another sobering reminder of the state’s chronic wildfire crisis. Commenting on the authorities’ response, he told Fox News, ”Apparently, some people were asleep on the job, mainly our leaders.”
”That’s something they have to live with. Kids are traumatized. Someone should answer for it.”
To learn more from Gibson and other celebrities who have suffered comparable losses, watch the video below.
