Milo Ventimiglia experienced a profound emotional moment as he visited the ruins of his Malibu home, which was destroyed in the recent wildfires plaguing Los Angeles. The 47-year-old actor and his wife, Jarah Mariano, were forced to evacuate their residence when the Palisades fire, which has scorched nearly 20,000 acres, threatened their upscale neighborhood just days before they welcome their first child.
Reflecting on the devastation, Ventimiglia shared with CBS Evening News the heartache of watching the flames consume their home, a loss that resonates deeply given that his character, Jack Pearson, also faced a similar tragedy on the show “This Is Us.” “You start thinking about all the memories and the different parts of the house… and your heart just breaks,” he recounted, highlighting the emotional weight of the experience.
The couple managed to salvage some belongings but were unable to secure several cherished items, including the crib they had already set up for their future child. Ventimiglia described the moment as a surreal shock, where they ultimately decided to stop watching the destruction unfold on their security cameras, opting instead to come to terms with their loss.
Despite the heartbreak, Ventimiglia remains hopeful, emphasizing the importance of family amidst the chaos. “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.
The tragic losses from the wildfires extend beyond Ventimiglia, with other celebrities like Chrissy Teigen and John Legend also forced to evacuate their home, seeking refuge with their children and pets. As the fires continue to rage across Southern California, affecting almost 36,000 acres, the community struggles but shows resilience. With firefighters still battling to contain the blazes, hope remains that those impacted will find the support and strength to rebuild and recover from such devastating losses.