Los Angeles fires deliver latest blow to embattled Hollywood

As Los Angeles is gripped by wildfires resembling a Hollywood disaster movie, the city's vast entertainment industry is already counting the costs of another drastic setback that its workers can ill afford.

Actors, crew, writers, and producers have lost their homes; film and television productions have been temporarily halted; and calls are mounting for Hollywood's award season to be canceled.

It comes with Los Angeles's entertainment sector—worth $115 billion to the region's economy—already in dire straits, as some film and TV productions abandon the city over high costs. The COVID-19 pandemic and recent labor upheavals have also taken their toll in recent years.

"Hollywood, like everyone, was hit by the pandemic with severe consequences. The strikes affected the industry, probably forever," said Marc Malkin, senior culture and events editor for trade magazine Variety.

"Add the fires to that, and Hollywood is just being hit repeatedly."

Stars including Anthony Hopkins, Mel Gibson, and Billy Crystal have lost their homes to the blazes of the past week.

But that is only the tip of the iceberg. Thousands of houses have been destroyed across a city home to 680,000 people employed in the entertainment industry or service jobs directly supporting it.

"Grey's Anatomy," "NCIS," "Hacks," and "Fallout" are among more than a dozen Los Angeles-based TV productions whose sets have gone dark since the fires broke out.

The fires threatened parts of the city where significant soundstages are located, including Burbank, but have so far spared them.

But Film LA, which handles permissions for outdoor movie and TV shoots, warned producers working in or near evacuation zones to "expect to have your permit canceled" and advised others that on-set safety supervisors would be in short supply.

With dense smoke and soot cloaking the entire region, even productions hoping to film further afield are affected.

"If you're shooting outside in Los Angeles right now, not great. The air quality is that bad," said Malkin.

A building that once housed restaurants and coffee shops among other businesses is seen destroyed by the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, California, on January 12, 2025. US officials warned "dangerous and strong" winds were set to push deadly wildfires further through Los Angeles residential areas January 12 as firefighters struggled to make progress against the flames. At least 24 people have been confirmed dead from blazes that have ripped through the city, reducing whole neighborhoods to ashes and leaving thousands without homes. Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP

'Glitz-and-glamor'

There is no word yet on when productions will resume. Aside from the many logistical issues, the industry must consider the optics of returning to normal while swaths of Los Angeles are aflame.

Nowhere is this issue more delicate than with Hollywood's ongoing award season—an endless series of swanky premieres, galas, and prize-giving ceremonies that is currently on hold.

Events, including the Critics' Choice Awards show, have been delayed. Last week, Los Angeles premieres for films like Pamela Anderson's "The Last Showgirl" and the Robbie Williams biopic "Better Man" were scrapped.

The cancellations even extended to New York, where the premiere for the hit Apple TV show Severance was aborted.

"The studios, the streamers, are having the right response by canceling or postponing glitz-and-glamor events," said Malkin.

"For people to walk the red carpet, all glitzy and glamor-y, while Los Angeles is literally and figuratively burning... it would be a little disconcerting to hear people either talking about their fashion or that 'silly story from the set.'"

Even the televised announcement of this year's Oscars nominees has been delayed.

"So many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are thinking of you," Academy CEO Bill Kramer wrote in a message to members.

"Hacks" actress Jean Smart has advocated going further and scrapping the entire season.

Fireplaces and chimneys stand amid the rubble of homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire, at sunset in Pacific Palisades, California, on January 12, 2025. US officials warned "dangerous and strong" winds were set to push deadly wildfires further through Los Angeles residential areas January 12 as firefighters struggled to make progress against the flames. At least 24 people have been confirmed dead from blazes that have ripped through the city, reducing whole neighborhoods to ashes and leaving thousands without homes. Photo by David Swanson / AFP

"With ALL due respect, during Hollywood's season of celebration, I hope any of the networks televising the upcoming awards will seriously consider NOT televising them and donating the revenue they would have garnered to the victims of the fires and the firefighters," Smart wrote on Instagram.

While few in Tinseltown are in the mood for celebrating, Malkin warned that canceling the entire season would have devastating ripple effects on hair and makeup artists, waiters, drivers, and security staff.

"Yes, the celebrities are going to be okay, financially," he said.

"But when you think about all the people who staff these various award shows, these are gig workers who rely on these paychecks... it would have a devastating effect."