Hollywood actor and director Mel Gibson, who recently turned 69, suffered a heart-wrenching loss when his California residence was engulfed by the fierce Palisades fire. At the time of the disaster, Gibson was in Austin, Texas, recording an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience. This wildfire wiped out the house where he had spent 15 memorable years.
In the chat with Joe Rogan, Gibson was already aware that his neighborhood was in peril. “The neighborhood is on fire,” he shared, expressing frustration over the slow response from California’s Governor Gavin Newsom. With his usual wit, Gibson remarked, “I think all our tax dollars probably went for Gavin’s hair gel.”
Thankfully, his longtime partner, Rosalind Ross, and their young son, Lars Gerard Gibson, managed to leave their home safely before the blaze reached it. However, upon returning to California, Gibson found his lavish $14.5 million Malibu mansion reduced to ashes. Speaking with Elizabeth Vargas on NewsNation, he recalled his thoughts, “I wondered if my place was still there, and sure enough, it wasn’t.”
Memories of a Beloved Home
Originally constructed in 1996, the mansion had been part of Gibson’s life since he purchased it in 2008 for $11.5 million. Despite his efforts to sell the property, even reducing the price by $3 million, the residence remained a part of his family’s history.
Filled with a regal charm, the five-bedroom estate boasted unique features, including a castle-like turret. The loss was not just about a house; it contained personal items that money couldn’t replace. “I had a lot of personal things there that I can’t get back,” Gibson admitted.
“From photographs and files to memorabilia, and even cool clothing, all that’s gone,” he reflected. “But in the end, these are just things.” Gibson expressed immense gratitude that his family was unharmed, saying, “What truly matters is that those I love are all well and safe.”
The devastation in his neighborhood was staggering. “I’ve never seen such a complete burn,” Gibson described. His heart went out to other celebrities affected, including neighbors like actor Ed Harris, and reports indicated that Paris Hilton and Billy Crystal also suffered losses.
A Neighborhood’s Pain
Gibson’s candidness shone through in a poignant joke he shared with Vargas, “Well, at least I haven’t got any of those pesky plumbing problems anymore.” He lightened the mood with a note of surprise, “Remarkably, my chickens survived, which was amazing.”
The lasting impact of California’s wildfires has not spared the rich and famous, illustrating the relentless wildfire crisis the state faces. Recounting his thoughts on the disaster, Gibson told Fox News, “Evidently, some people were asleep on the job, mainly our leaders.” The fires have left many families in distress, prompting Gibson to assert, “Someone should answer for the trauma kids are experiencing.”
For more on Gibson’s experience and those of others who have faced similar fates, watch the video shared below.