Mel Gibson, 69, was recently spotted for the first time since his Malibu mansion was destroyed in the LA fires.
The actor, who was in Austin, Texas filming a podcast during the fires, was seen in the passenger seat of a car, keeping a low profile with a baseball cap.
Mel Gibson reflects on the loss of his $14.5 million home
Gibson’s 14-year home, worth $14.5 million, was reduced to ashes in the devastating blaze.
In a phone interview with NewsNation, Gibson explained the uneasy feeling he had while filming the podcast, knowing his neighborhood was burning.
“I wonder if my place is still there,” he recalled. Unfortunately, when he returned, he found that his home was gone.
Mel Gibson’s emotional response to the destruction
Gibson described the loss of his home as “perfectly burnt” and emotionally devastating. He shared his thoughts on the NewsNation segment, acknowledging that while the loss was painful, it also relieved him of certain burdens. “At least I haven’t got any of those pesky plumbing problems anymore,” he joked.
He explained that much of the property was reduced to nothing but a chimney and some roof tiles.
“It was completely toasted. I’ve never seen such a complete burn,” he said, adding that it felt as if someone had deliberately destroyed everything.
A home filled with personal memories lost in the flames
While material possessions can be replaced, Gibson expressed sadness over losing irreplaceable items.
“I had a lot of personal items there, including photographs and clothing, that I can’t get back,” he said.
Despite this, he found comfort in knowing that his family was safe.
“Those in my family and those I love are well and we’re all happy and healthy and out of harm’s way,” he added.
Gibson’s thoughts on the wildfire crisis in california
During his appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Gibson criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for the state’s lack of wildfire prevention efforts.
“They spent $24 billion last year on the homeless, but what did they spend on preventing these wildfires? Zero. Zip,” Gibson said, pointing out Newsom’s failure to address the issue.
Personal reflections on the devastation
In an interview with Laura Ingraham on Fox News, Gibson shared his perspective on the fire’s destruction.
He viewed the loss in a somewhat philosophical way, seeing it as a form of purification. “These are things and they may or may not be replaceable, but we’re still here,” he reflected.
Upon learning about the fire, Gibson rushed home to collect important documents with his son. “My son grabbed a few things, passports and papers… but it’s tragic, it makes you really sad,” he said. Despite his personal loss, Gibson expressed sympathy for his neighbors, adding, “I felt worse for them than I did for myself.”
The widespread impact of LA’s devastating fires
The LA fires have burned over 40,000 acres, causing the deaths of at least 24 people. More than 150,000 people have been evacuated from affected areas. The Palisades Fire, the largest ongoing fire, has destroyed over 12,000 structures.
The fires, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, have devastated the region, leaving behind significant damage.
Many celebrities, including Leighton Meester, Adam Brody, Ana Faris, Jeff Bridges, and others, have also lost their homes in the blaze.