Milo Ventimiglia experienced an emotional moment as he visited the remains of his Malibu home, which was destroyed by the recent LA wildfires, coinciding with the imminent birth of his child. The 47-year-old actor and his wife, Jarah Mariano, were forced to evacuate their residence earlier in the week as the Palisades fire threatened their upscale neighborhood, which has already consumed nearly 20,000 acres.
Recalling the devastating experience, Ventimiglia shared with CBS Evening News how he and his wife witnessed their home being engulfed in flames via security cameras. “There’s a kind of shock moment where you’re going, ‘Oh, this is real, this is happening,’” he said, highlighting the surreal nature of watching their memories burn. The couple grabbed what belongings they could, but were unable to save significant items, including the crib they had prepared for their unborn baby.
Reflecting on the loss, Ventimiglia remarked, “You start thinking about all the memories… and then you see your neighbors’ houses and everything around, and your heart just breaks.” The irony of his situation was not lost on him as his character in “This Is Us,” Jack Pearson, also faced losing his home to a fire.
Despite the heartbreak, Ventimiglia remains hopeful for recovery and rebuilding. “We got good friends, and we got good people we’re working with, and we’ll make do. Wife and baby and dog, most important,” he stated.
Other celebrities have also been affected by the wildfires; Chrissy Teigen and John Legend sought refuge in a hotel, while Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill were among other stars impacted. As firefighting efforts continue, the blazes have scorched nearly 36,000 acres in Southern California since they began.
As communities come together in the face of this adversity, there is a positive spirit among those affected, emphasizing the importance of relationships over material losses. The resilience shown by Ventimiglia and others serves as a reminder of the strength found in unity during difficult times.