James Woods, 77, breaks down in tears as he shares 8-year-old niece’s heartbreaking plea amid California wildfires
Actor James Woods broke down in tears during a CNN interview as he described losing his Pacific Palisades home to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
The 77-year-old became visibly emotional whilst speaking with CNN’s Pamela Brown about the destruction of his property.
“I’m sorry, it’s just one day you’re in the pool and the next it’s all gone,” Woods said, struggling to maintain his composure.
In a particularly touching moment, Woods revealed how his wife’s eight-year-old niece had offered her piggy bank to help rebuild their house.
“I’m sorry, I thought I was stronger than this,” the Oscar-nominated actor added as he wiped tears from his eyes.
Woods recounted the chaotic evacuation from his neighbourhood, where he helped rescue a 94-year-old neighbour with dementia who had been left alone.
“There was so much chaos, it was like an inferno. Every house was on fire around us,” Woods told CNN.
The actor confirmed his elderly neighbour was later taken to hospital and is doing well.
Woods had previously shared footage of the apocalyptic scenes on social media platform X, writing: “I took this last night from our beautiful little home in the Palisades.
“Now all the fire alarms are going off at once remotely. It tests your soul, losing everything at once, I must say,” he added.
I took this last night from our beautiful little home in the Palisades. Now all the fire alarms are going off at once remotely.
It tests your soul, losing everything at once, I must say. pic.twitter.com/nH0mLpxz5C
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 8, 2025
The wildfires have decimated at least 1,000 structures and claimed five lives across Los Angeles County, with three major blazes burning from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena.
At least 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate, with authorities warning of an “immediate threat to life” in the affluent coastal region.
The fires have threatened at least 28,000 structures and left more than 180,000 people without power in Los Angeles County.
Many A-list celebrities, including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore, and Ben Affleck, were among those forced to flee their homes.
LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said: “This morning, we woke up to a dark cloud over all of Los Angeles. But it is darkest for those who are most intimately impacted by these fires.”
Woods, known for his intense, fast-talking roles, has enjoyed a career spanning five decades in Hollywood.
He earned Academy Award nominations for his performances in Oliver Stone’s Salvador (1986) and Rob Reiner’s Ghosts of Mississippi (1996).
The actor rose to prominence with his role in The Onion Field (1979) and went on to star in critically acclaimed films including Once Upon a Time in America (1984) alongside Robert De Niro.
He won two Primetime Emmy Awards for his television work, including his portrayal of Bill W., the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, in My Name Is Bill W. (1989).
Most recently, Woods served as an executive producer on Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer (2023).
Taking to social media platform X, Woods expressed gratitude despite the devastating loss: “There is no possession as priceless as friends and good neighbors during a tragedy.”
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The Los Angeles Fire Department has put out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help combat the flames, with weather conditions too windy for firefighting aircraft.
Recent dry winds, including the notorious Santa Anas, have contributed to warmer-than-average temperatures in Southern California.
The region hasn’t seen more than 0.1 inches of rain since early May, exacerbating the fire risk.
More than 500,000 residents could face power shutoffs depending on weather conditions, according to utility company Southern California Edison.