‘This Is Us’ star Milo Ventimiglia fights tears after home burns down in LA fires days before wife gives birth: ‘Your heart just breaks’

Key Takeaways:

• Milo Ventimiglia’s Malibu home was destroyed by the LA wildfires.
• He and his pregnant wife evacuated just days before their baby’s expected arrival.
• The Palisades fire has burned nearly 20,000 acres, with firefighters battling to contain it.
• Ventimiglia draws parallels between his loss and his character’s experience on “This Is Us.”
• Other celebrities have also been affected by the wildfires sweeping Southern California.

LA Wildfires Claim Milo Ventimiglia’s Home Days Before Baby’s Arrival

Actor faces real-life tragedy mirroring his “This Is Us” storyline

As wildfires continue to ravage Southern California, actor Milo Ventimiglia and his wife, model Jarah Mariano, are grappling with the loss of their Malibu home. Just days before the couple is expecting their first child, the Palisades fire consumed their residence, leaving them to confront an unexpected upheaval.

A Sudden Evacuation

On Tuesday, Ventimiglia, 47, and Mariano were forced to evacuate when their neighborhood was declared at risk due to the advancing flames. The Palisades fire has burned nearly 20,000 acres, displacing numerous families in its path.

“You start thinking about all the memories and the different parts of the house and whatnot, and your heart just breaks,” Ventimiglia shared with CBS Evening News on Thursday.

Witnessing Devastation from Afar

After fleeing to safety, the couple watched helplessly as security cameras captured their home being engulfed by flames. The emotional toll was immense.

“I think there’s a kind of shock moment where you’re going, ‘Oh, this is real, this is happening,’” Ventimiglia reflected. “At a certain point, we just turned it off. What good is it to continue watching? We kind of accepted the loss.”

Irreplaceable Losses

In their hurried departure, they grabbed everything they could think of, but many treasured items were left behind. Among them was the crib they had lovingly assembled for their soon-to-arrive baby.

“The whole thing was set up,” Ventimiglia lamented, recalling the nursery they had prepared.

Art Imitates Life

Fans of “This Is Us” may find an uncanny resemblance between Ventimiglia’s personal ordeal and his character Jack Pearson’s storyline, where a house fire dramatically alters his family’s life.

“It’s not lost on me, life imitating art,” Ventimiglia acknowledged.

Finding Hope Amid Despair

Despite the loss, Ventimiglia remains optimistic. “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 affirmed.

Wildfires Affecting Many

Ventimiglia is not alone. His former co-star Mandy Moore and her husband discovered a large portion of their Altadena home still standing after evacuating. Chrissy Teigen and John Legend also sought refuge in a hotel with their children and pets. Other celebrities, including Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Eugene Levy, and James Woods, have been impacted.

The Blazes Continue

Five wildfires are sweeping across Southern California. Firefighters have managed to contain just six percent of the Palisades fire. Since igniting on Tuesday, the wildfires have scorched nearly 36,000 acres. On Thursday, authorities arrested a suspect in connection with the Kenneth Fire, which erupted in Los Angeles’ West Hills.

The communities affected by these fires face immense challenges, but stories of resilience and solidarity emerge as they begin the daunting task of rebuilding.