By BERNICE FOX
It is not an exaggeration when I write that every single person in our area has been affected by the devastating Palisades Fire.
But since I generally cover entertainment, this story looks at the celebrity angle, specifically, some of Palisades former honorary mayors and their families.
Janice and Billy Crystal lost their longtime Pacific Palisades home on upper Chautauqua.
In a statement they said “words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing.
“We ache for our friends and neighbors who have also lost their homes and businesses in this tragedy. Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this.”
The Crystals added “we pray for the safety of the firefighters and first responders,” and then ended with this hopeful thought. “Pacific Palisades is a resilient community of amazing people, and we know in time it will rise again. It is our home.”
This Fourth of July float featured co-honorary mayors Billy and Janice Crystal.
Photo: MORGAN GENSER
Eugene Levy and his wife, Deb Divine, lost their home above the Alphabet Streets.
Adding to the pain, their actress daughter, Sarah Levy, also lost her Palisades home, where she lived with her husband and their young son. She expressed that pain in an Instagram post.
“Oh, my sweet home. My heart so deeply aches. What I would give to hear the key slide in the front door one more time or the baby gate click behind me as I bring the laundry upstairs. To hear the garbage truck outside every Tuesday and watch James run to the window to watch.
“To run into friends daily because it was that small a town. How blessed we were to raise our son in such an idyllic, magical place away from the hustle and bustle of LA.
“Luckily we are all safe and if this has taught me nothing else, it’s to appreciate every last detail of your life. I know we’ll be back, and the Palisades will be more vibrant and lush and full of life than ever.”
(Left to right) Honorary Palisades Mayor Eugene Levy, Lulu and Cindy Simon and contest sponsors Joan Sather and Susan Montgomery. Levy helped judge the Fourth of July home decorating contest.
Anthony Hopkins is another whose home in the Palisades burned. His comment reflects a spiritual outlook.
“As we all struggle to heal from the devastation of these fires, the only thing we take with us is the love we give.”
Hopkins followed his statement with three emojis: a broken heart, hands in prayer and a healed heart.
Martin Short
On Saturday, the fire forced Martin Short to cancel a live comedy show in Florida and focus on his home in the Palisades. He posted this quickly written statement. “Am sad to announce to you all about my show in FL that has just been cancelled due to the fire outbreak that happened in my house. (Crying emoji)
“Am in deep pain now and am sorry concerning the (sudden) cancellation, for every inconvenience this might have caused you all.”
After explaining how to get a ticket refund, Short added “thanks for your understanding dear fans.” It’s unclear if Short’s home west of Temescal Gateway Park burned.
Kevin Nealon’s former home on Northfield.
Kevin Nealon’s wife, Susan “Suki” Yeagley, posted an emotional video of them raising their son and hosting friends at their previous home on Northfield which burned to the ground.
Yeagley, who confirmed they moved from the Palisades a couple of years ago, said on her post “Kevin and I are so grateful for the memories inside these walls – Lost baby teeth, birthday parties in the backyard, a vow renewal in our living room, taco soup in the kitchen with grandmas – and puzzles, Uno games and hot cocoa with grandpa.
“Our Palisades neighbors were our family members, and we loved every restaurant, shop owner and the darling post office that would never close until every box was mailed. A heart-centered town in the middle of a big city.
“Our prayers go out to everyone in Pacific Palisades and to everyone suffering through these historic fires. The catastrophic devastation is unimaginable.
“Stay safe. Squeeze the people you love. Thank you forever, dear Pacific Palisades.”
Kevin Nealon posted a photo of the Business Block in flames and wrote “All gone. Tragic. Be safe.”
Actor Steve Guttenberg tried to help move abandoned cars.
Steve Guttenberg went into action when the evacuation was ordered. He told KTLA, Channel 5, he tried to move cars that fleeing residents abandoned on Palisades Drive.
He said he was able to move those that were unlocked with keys available. Otherwise, locked cars and those without keys were pushed out of the way by a bulldozer.