Anthony Hopkins, 87, breaks silence on destruction of his LA home with heartfelt message: ‘We all struggle to heal’
Sir Anthony Hopkins has shared a poignant message after losing his $6million (£4.92million) Pacific Palisades home to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
The 87-year-old Welsh actor took to Instagram on Friday to address the destruction of his property.
“As we all struggle to heal from the devastation of these fires, it’s important we remember that the only thing we take with us is the love we give,” Hopkins wrote to his 5.4 million followers.
The Oscar-winning star was in the UK when the blaze destroyed his four-bedroom residence, which has been reduced to little more than a cement footprint and stairs.
The fires death toll has now risen to doubled figures, according to the LA County Medical Examiner, with more than 130,000 people forced to evacuate.
The largest blaze, the Palisades fire which destroyed Hopkins’ home, has burned through more than 21,500 acres and is only 8 per cent contained.
Five other fires continue to rage across Los Angeles, including the Eaton fire which has destroyed nearly 1,000 structures across 14,000 acres and remains just 3 per cent contained.
The newest outbreak, the Archer fire, started on Friday and has already consumed 19 acres, with firefighters yet to establish containment.
Officials warn that high winds may further fan the flames.
Hopkins purchased the colonial-style Pacific Palisades property for $6million in 2021, after selling his Malibu oceanfront home for $10.5 million (£8.23million).
This marks the third time the actor has faced devastating fires threatening his residences.
In November 2018, his Malibu home narrowly escaped the Woolsey fire, though his neighbour’s property was destroyed.
The actor also lost his London home to fire in 2000, when he was fortunately in Los Angeles at the time.
The latest loss comes shortly after Hopkins celebrated 49 years of sobriety, which he marked with a social media post on New Year’s Eve.
Speaking on a video posted to Instagram at the time, he said: “If you do have a problem – having fun is wonderful, having a drink is fine – but if you are having a problem with the booze, there is help.
“It’s not a terrible deal – it’s a condition if you’re allergic to alcohol, get some help, there’s plenty of help around.
“One thing I didn’t realise, that I was not unique. There are thousands of people around like me – anyway, I got sober and, it sounds a dull word, but I’ve had a wonderful life.”
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The wildfires have thrown Hollywood’s awards season into disarray, with both the Critics Choice Awards and Oscar nominations being rescheduled.
A nighttime curfew has been imposed across Los Angeles following reports of widespread looting, with police warning of arrests for those who ignore the measures.
Insurance companies are facing bills stretching into billions of pounds as the fires have destroyed thousands of structures across the region.