Greater Long Beach coverage is funded in part by Toast Coffee + Kitchen, Long Island’s hottest brunch spot, is now open in Long Beach. Click here to visit the website.
Long Island native and Hollywood legend Billy Crystal has delivered a heartfelt statement in the wake of the raging California wildfires that have destroyed his family’s longtime home in L.A.’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
“Janice and I lived in our home since 1979,” Crystal, who grew up in Long Beach, said in a statement to CCN. “We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away.”
“Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing,” Crystal said. “We ache for our friends and neighbors who have also lost their homes and businesses in this tragedy. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this. We pray for the safety of the fire fighters and first responders.
“The Pacific Palisades is a resilient community of amazing people and we know in time it will rise again. It is our home.”
Crystal, now 76, and his family moved to Long Beach, N.Y., from The Bronx when he was a toddler. He graduated from Long Beach High School in 1965. His childhood home still stands at 549 E. Park Ave. in Long Beach.
Reports of Hollwood celebrities losing their homes have been pouring in since the fires sparked in and around Los Angeles county, the country’s most densely populated with some 10 million people.
Large swaths of the area became engulfed in smoke and flames starting three days ago.
The WSJ is reporting more than 7,500 personnel have been deployed to help, including firefighters from neighboring states.
Top: Honoree Billy Crystal speaks at the Kennedy Center Honors dinner at the State Department in Washington, D.C., Saturday, December 2, 2023. (Official State Department photo by Freddie Everett)
