Mel Gibson came home to a pile of rubble following his appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast.
“I was kind of ill at ease while we were talking because I knew my neighborhood was on fire, so I thought, ‘I wonder if my place is still there,’” Gibson told NewsNation’s “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” Thursday evening.
“But when I got home, sure enough, it wasn’t there.”
The 69-year-old actor said he flew to Austin, Texas — where Rogan films — at the beginning of the week “when the winds were picking up” but before the wildfires began.
However, a few days later, he discovered his $14.5 million Malibu mansion had been “perfectly burnt.”
“It’s just a thing but it’s obviously devastating. It’s emotional,” he said. “You know, we have lived there for a long time.”
Despite losing everything, the “Braveheart” actor tried to look on the bright side of things.
“I’ve been relieved from the burden of my stuff because it’s all in cinders,” he said with a laugh.
“I went home and I said to myself, ‘Well at least I haven’t got any of those pesky plumbing problems anymore,’” he added.
The Oscar winner said the fire’s path “really nailed” his entire neighborhood — including fellow actor Ed Harris.
“There was a dozen places or so that were just non-existent,” he said. “I mean, nothing but a chimney and a few roof tiles, and you dare not walk around for the nails and the whole deal. The vehicles were gone, everything.”
“It was completely toasted. I’ve never seen such a complete burn,” the “Lethal Weapon” actor added. “It’s like someone did it on purpose to really destroy every aspect of it.”
Gibson, who lived on the cliffside property for 15 years, compared the destruction to “Dresden.”
“It was home to me, and I had a lot of personal things there that, you know, I can’t get back,” he said. “All kinds of stuff. Everything from photographs to files to, you know, just personal things that I had from over the years, and clothing, and you know, cool stuff.”
He continued, “But you know, hey, and that can all be replaced, these are only things, and the good news is that those in my family and those I love are all well and we’re all happy and healthy and out of harm’s way.”
While his home was completely destroyed, his chickens shockingly “survived” the flames.
“It was amazing. We checked the chicken coop and they were fine. So we gave them some grain and water and they are happy and laying eggs. They weren’t roast chickens.”
During Gibson’s appearance on the “Joe Rogan Experience,” he admitted the natural disaster might be his final straw in The Golden State.
“Do you think this will get you out of California finally?” Rogan, who left the state in 2020 after over 20 years, asked.
“Yeah, maybe,” Gibson replied, suggesting he might leave the States for a bit.
“I got a place in Costa Rica and I love it there,” he said. “It’s in a real nice spot. It’s not too touristy … kind of off the beaten path.”
However, Gibson still isn’t sure whether he wants to rebuild or sell the land where his Malibu mansion once stood.
The “Patriot” actor isn’t the only Californian grappling with the same decision. The uncontained wildfires have burned nearly 30,000 acres, destroying thousands of homes and businesses and killing at least seven people.
