Veteran actor James Woods, known for his commanding screen presence and outspoken political views, has become the face of heartbreak for many affected by the Pacific Palisades wildfire. In a raw and emotional interview on CNN, the 77-year-old recounted the devastation of losing his home to the fast-moving inferno. Fighting tears, Woods shared his gratitude for escaping safely with his wife, Sarah, even as their house and belongings were reduced to ashes.
“I’m 77 years old,” Woods said, his voice trembling. “I can’t walk up these hills—it’s like Mount Everest there. It’s… pretty steep.” He spoke of the chaos as flames, driven by 60 mph Santa Ana winds, engulfed his neighborhood in mere hours. Families fled in gridlocked traffic on the Pacific Coast Highway, clutching whatever they could grab. Woods recalled his 8-year-old niece offering her piggy bank savings to help rebuild, a touching moment amid the devastation.
Woods also shared an update on his 94-year-old neighbor, initially feared missing. “He’s okay,” Woods revealed, visibly relieved. “They found him, and he’s in the hospital. But if anyone knows where Robert Treeteller is, please let me know.”
Actor James Woods breaks down in tears as he describes the fires in Los Angeles:
"One day you're swimming in the pool and the next day it's all gone…I'm sorry, I'm usually….I thought I'd be stronger than this."
God bless you, @RealJamesWoods pic.twitter.com/seMmIooJK9
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 8, 2025
The fire, which erupted Tuesday morning, has scorched over 11,800 acres, destroyed more than 1,000 structures, and claimed two lives. With tens of thousands under evacuation orders, firefighters are battling not only the flames but also 100 mph wind gusts and low water pressure in hydrants. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency, with federal assistance deployed to aid containment efforts.
Woods, a familiar figure on X (formerly Twitter), shared a haunting video of the fire on his account, which has 4.5 million followers. In the clip, planes drop water over his neighborhood as ash rains down. “Getting ready to evacuate,” he captioned the post, which drew an outpouring of support. One user wrote, “Stay safe, James. Houses can be replaced; lives can’t,” while another added, “Prayers for you and your neighbors.”
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