‘One day you swim in the pool and the next day everything is gone’

On January 9, 2025By Littum

James Woods has lost his Pacific Palisades home in the Southern California wildfires that continue to ravage parts of Los Angeles.

Speaking on CNNthe 77-year-old “Vampires” and “Once Upon a Time in America” actor broke down in tears discussing the harrowing situation in his neighborhood.

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“One day you’re swimming in the pool and the next day it’s all gone,” Woods said, speaking on air with CNN’s Pamela Brown.

He recalled an emotional moment when his wife Sara Miller-Woods’ 8-year-old niece brought her piggy bank to help them rebuild their house.

Woods talked about his evacuation and how he helped his 94-year-old neighbor, who has dementia, get to safety. “He was left alone,” Woods said. “There was so much chaos, it was like an inferno. Every house was burning around us.”

Speaking about the devastation, Woods said, “I thought I’d be stronger than this,” before wiping tears from his eyes.

Brown responded, “Strength is not measured by whether you can stop crying … strength is what you do now to help your neighbors and shine a light on the great, amazing work that all these firefighters and emergency personnel are doing.”

On Tuesday, Woods documented the fire that swept the Palisades on X, posting photos and videos of his neighborhood engulfed in flames.

“There is no possession so invaluable as friends and good neighbors during a tragedy,” he wrote. “I cannot believe the blessings we are enjoying and I am humbly grateful.”

As more fires have broken out across Southern California and forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate their homes, Hollywood has canceled a number of premieres and events. Shows including “Hacks” and “Suits LA” have too halted production. The Critics Choice Awards, which were scheduled to take place in Santa Monica on Sunday, have been postponed with a date to be determined.

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