Jamie Lee Curtis fights back tears while talking about L.A. fires

The wildfires raging through Los Angeles have left thousands displaced, homes destroyed, and an entire community in heartbreak—including Hollywood actress Jamie Lee Curtis, 66.

During a deeply emotional appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on January 8, Curtis spoke about the devastation unfolding near her home in Pacific Palisades.

Though her house was spared, many of her friends and neighbors lost everything.

“I’m Literally About to Cry”—Curtis’ Emotional Plea

Curtis had just boarded a flight to New York for her scheduled appearance when she received terrifying text messages—the fires were spreading rapidly, creeping dangerously close to her neighborhood.

By the time she arrived, she was already on the verge of tears.

“I’m literally just about to cry,” she admitted, her voice breaking as she reacted to the audience’s applause.

One enthusiastic fan shouted, “You’re beautiful!”—but Curtis could barely hold back her emotions.

“As you know, where I live is on fire right now. Literally, the entire city of the Pacific Palisades is burning.”

A Personal Connection to the Devastation

For Curtis, this tragedy is deeply personal.

“I was on the plane, started getting texts. And it’s f**ing gnarly, you guys. It’s just a catastrophe in Southern California.”

Her heartbreak was palpable as she described the destruction around her:

“Everything. The market I shop in. The schools my kids go to. Friends, many, many, many, many, many friends now have lost their homes.”

While her house was spared, the same couldn’t be said for her beloved church, where she found sobriety 25 years ago.

She later shared an Instagram post of the charred remains of the church, writing:

“This is the building where I got sober. I think of all of the souls who came there for comfort and solace… and the thousands of people who reclaimed their lives through sobriety.”

A Call for Urgent Help

Curtis, who has long supported the American Red Cross, used her platform to urge people to help in any way they could.

“If you know anybody on the West Coast or not, the American Red Cross—support them. They will come in and help people. Do anything you can.”

She emphasized how vital it is to be prepared:

“Have an emergency kit with prescription glasses, medicines, dog food, baby formula—all the things you need if you have to flee.”

The death toll from the fires has already climbed to five, with over 2,000 structures reduced to ash and thousands left with nothing.

As firefighters battle harsh winds and dry conditions, Curtis vowed to return to L.A. as soon as possible to be with her family and help those in need.

“I Am Going Home to Be With My Family”

Curtis, who shares two daughters—Ruby, 25, and Annie, 34—with her husband, screenwriter Christopher Guest, made it clear that her priority is her family.

“It’s a really awful situation. I am going home tomorrow to be with my family and try to help my friends.”

Her emotional plea is a powerful reminder that even the most well-known figures in Hollywood are just people—people who can lose everything in an instant.