Hollywood Hills fire: Jean Smart urges TV networks to not air award shows and donate revenue to firefighters and victims

Actress Jean Smart has requested TV networks to not air award shows this season owing to the Hollywood Hills fire, dubbed the Sunset fire. She also requested the networks to donate the revenue to victims of the wildfire and firefighters.

On January 8, 2024, Jean Smart took to Instagram to share a message about the ongoing fire in Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, California. The fire has destroyed several neighborhoods with many having lost their houses and property. Smart, who's won six Emmy awards and two Golden Globes awards, wrote:

"Attention! With ALL due respect, during Hollywood’s season of celebration, I hope any of the networks televising the upcoming awards will seriously consider NOT televising them and donating the revenue they would have garnered to victims of the fires and the firefighters."

With the award season around the corner, fans were looking forward to multiple big events, including the Academy Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, and the Critics Choice Awards. They are set to be broadcast on ABC, Netflix, and E Network, respectively.

However, the awards season has been disrupted due to multiple raging wildfire breaking out in various locations across California. The Sunset Fire has also been dubbed as one of the most destructive ones to hit the region.

According to the LA Times, the fire has destroyed over 2000 homes and destroyed over 1000 structures in the Palisades fire and another 1000 in the Eaton fire. At least five people have lost their lives and over over 150,000 people are under evacuation orders.

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Academy Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and others postpone their events amid the Hollywood Hills fire

Powerful Winds Fuel Multiple Fires Across Los Angeles Area - Image via Getty

After the wildfire affected several areas in California, award ceremonies canceled their events during the awards season. The Critics Choice Awards was set to be held on Sunday, January 12, 2025, but has been postponed to January 26, 2025. The CEO of the Critics Choice Awards, Joey Berlin said:

"This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community. All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected."

Further, the Academy Awards were also scheduled to release their list of nominees for various categories on Friday, January 17, 2025. However, as of now it has been postponed to January 19 due to the wildfires. The grand event is set to be held on March 2.

"We want to offer our deepest condolences to those who have been impacted by the devastating fires across Southern California. So many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are thinking of you," Oscars Chief Executive Bill Kramer said in a statement.

Additionally, the BAFTA Tea Party, hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, scheduled for Saturday, January 11, has also been canceled for the same reason. Further, the announcement of nominations for the WGA Awards has also been postponed until January 13.

The Hollywood Hills fire has reportedly affected multiple major fan-favorite spots, including the Walk of Fame and the Dolby Theater, where the Oscars are generally held. It has reportedly destroyed 16,000 acres so far, per Metro UK.

Some of the affected areas include Mulholland Drive, Sunset Boulevard, 101 Freeway, and the nearly Studio City neighborhood - all of which are significant landmark areas for American cinema.

Multiple celebrities, including James Woods, Eugene Levy, Adam Brody, Leighton Meester, and Paris Hilton have also either been evacuated or have lost some of their properties due to the fire. No cause for the raging fire has been determined officially although climactic reasons are believed to be part of the reasons.