The devastating Palisades fire has claimed many homes across Los Angeles, and among those affected is actor Milo Ventimiglia, best known for NBC’s hit drama This Is Us. Ventimiglia and his pregnant wife, Jarah Mariano, were forced to evacuate their Malibu home as wildfires swept through the area.
Ventimiglia recently shared his sorrow in an emotional interview, revealing how the couple watched the destruction unfold through security cameras. Though they managed to take some belongings, much was left behind. The actor described the weight of the situation, calling it a "heavy" loss.
Milo Ventimiglia is among many Hollywood stars who lost their multi-million dollar homes in some of LA's poshest areas due to wildfire.
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The impact of the Palisades fire on Milo Ventimiglia
Milo Ventimiglia opened up to CBS News about the loss of his family home. He and his wife evacuated just in time, but the flames consumed their property shortly after. The actor said:
"It’s heavy...you start thinking about all the memories in different parts of the house and whatnot. Then you see your neighbors’ houses, and your heart just breaks.”
Despite their preparations, the couple's recently finished nursery and many other personal items were destroyed in the fire. Thinking back on what happened, Ventimiglia said that seeing the damage from the fire on their security cameras was too much to handle.
“At a certain point, we just turned it off. Like, what good is it to continue watching? We kind of accepted the loss,” he explained.
The actor’s grief echoes that of many residents affected by the fire. He emphasized the importance of community support and said:
“We’ve got good friends and good people we are working with, and we’ll make do.”
Ventimiglia’s focus now is on the safety of his wife, baby, and dog, which he says are “the most important”.
Milo Ventimiglia’s career and personal life
Born on July 8, 1977, Milo Ventimiglia is a versatile actor with a career spanning decades. He gained prominence with roles in Gilmore Girls and Heroes before achieving critical acclaim as Jack Pearson in This Is Us. His portrayal of Jack earned him three Emmy nominations, cementing his place as a leading figure in television drama.
Beyond acting, Ventimiglia has also explored production and directing. He married model Jarah Mariano in 2023. They are expecting their first child.
The cause of the Palisades wildfire
The Palisades fire is one of many wildfires that have happened in California in the past few years. The definitive cause behind the Palisades fire is currently being investigated. Changing weather patterns are blamed by experts for the higher frequency and intensity of wildfires in California.
As per the National Fire Protection Association, lightning is the number one cause of wildfires in the USA. However, lightning has been ruled out in the case of recent LA fires as there were no reports of lightning in the region. Other than lightning, wildfires are intentionally set or caused by faulty utility lines.