Disney Donates $15 Million as LA Stars Reel from Wildfire Losses/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Los Angeles wildfires have left numerous celebrities, including Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore, grappling with the destruction of their homes. As the toll rises, Disney has pledged $15 million to relief efforts, including support for rebuilding and fire prevention. A benefit concert is planned for Jan. 30 to aid victims and raise awareness.
Hollywood Faces Wildfire Devastation: Quick Looks
- Celebrity Losses: Stars like Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, and Billy Crystal have lost homes in the fires.
- Disney’s Donation: The Walt Disney Co. pledged $15 million to fire relief efforts, aiding various organizations.
- Rising Toll: Wildfires have claimed at least 10 lives and destroyed thousands of structures in LA.
- Community Resilience: Plans for a benefit concert aim to support victims and raise funds for future fire prevention.
Disney Donates $15 Million as LA Stars Reel from Wildfire Losses
Deep Look
Hollywood’s Wildfire Struggles
The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have struck the homes of numerous celebrities, leaving stars like Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore grappling with personal losses. Ventimiglia, known for his role as Jack Pearson on This Is Us, returned to the ruins of his Pacific Palisades home to find it completely destroyed, including a newly installed crib for his unborn child.
“There’s a moment where you realize, ‘This is real,’” Ventimiglia said. The actor reflected on the poignant connection between his real-life loss and his TV character’s tragic death in a house fire, calling the parallel “life imitating art.”
Other celebrities have faced similar devastation. Mandy Moore revealed that her Altadena home is partially standing but uninhabitable, with her husband’s music studio and instruments lost. Mel Gibson’s home was completely destroyed, as confirmed by his publicist, and actor Haley Joel Osment shared that he “lost everything” in the fires.
A Growing List of Losses
The wildfires have taken a heavy toll on the entertainment community:
- Billy Crystal and his wife lost their home of 45 years.
- Paris Hilton, Jeff Bridges, and Cary Elwes reported total losses.
- R&B star Jhené Aiko and actor Miles Teller also confirmed the destruction of their properties, with Teller’s wife, Keleigh, sharing before-and-after photos on Instagram.
Amid the loss, celebrities have expressed gratitude to first responders and vowed to rebuild. “We will come back stronger than ever,” Keleigh Teller wrote, though she regretted not saving her wedding dress.
Disney Steps In with Relief
In response to the widespread destruction, the Walt Disney Co. has pledged $15 million to support relief and rebuilding efforts. The donation will be distributed among organizations like the American Red Cross, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
“Walt Disney came to Los Angeles with little more than his limitless imagination, and it was here that he chose to make his home,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger. “We are proud to assist this resilient community in its time of need.”
Benefit Concert Announced
To further aid wildfire victims, a benefit concert, FIREAID, is scheduled for Jan. 30 at the Intuit Dome, home to the Los Angeles Clippers. Organized by industry heavyweights Shelli and Irving Azoff, along with Live Nation and AEG Presents, the concert aims to raise funds for affected families and support future fire prevention efforts.
While the lineup and ticket details have yet to be announced, the event promises to bring the entertainment industry together to help rebuild the Los Angeles community.
Widespread Impact
The fires have claimed at least 10 lives and destroyed thousands of structures, including homes, businesses, and landmarks. More than 150,000 people remain under evacuation orders, with many finding temporary refuge in shelters or with friends and family.
For stars and residents alike, the wildfires are a sobering reminder of the vulnerability of life in Southern California. Despite the losses, efforts like Disney’s donation and the planned concert demonstrate the resilience and compassion of the Los Angeles community.
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