Former Australian Child Star Rory Sykes Dies in California Fires at Age 32: ‘A Wonderful Son’

Rory Sykes, a former Australian child star, has tragically passed away in the California wildfires at the age of 32.

“It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son @Rorysykes to the Malibu fires yesterday. I’m totally heart broken,” Rory’s mother, Shelley Sykes, shared in a message via X on Thursday, January 9.

Describing Rory as “a wonderful son” and “a gift born on mine & his grandma’s birthday,” Shelley reflected on Rory’s life and passions. Best known for his role in Kiddy Kapers, a popular children’s television program in England, Rory was also the cofounder of Happy Charity, alongside his mother.

Shelley also spoke about the difficulties Rory overcame in his life.

“Rory was born blind with cerebral palsy & had difficulty walking. He overcame so much with surgeries & therapies to regain his sight & to be able to learn to walk. Despite the pain, he still enthused about traveling the world with me from Africa to Antarctica,” she wrote.

In addition to his acting career, Rory gained recognition as an inspirational speaker. Shelley noted that he was “sought after” by motivational icon Tony Robbins.

“Rory had his own cottage on our 17-acre Mount Malibu TV Studio estate, decked out with all the latest Apple gadgets, which burnt down yesterday 8 Jan 2024 Malibu Fires. I couldn’t put out the cinders on his roof with a hose because the water was switched off by @LVMWD Las Virgenes Municipal Water,” Shelley continued. “Even the 50 brave firefighters had no water all day! He will be incredibly missed by [his] mama, his pet peacocks Edgee & Mickie, and all his online fans around the world!”

The California wildfires have displaced thousands of people in the Los Angeles area with several different fires burning in locations like Pacific Palisades, Eaton and more. Dry conditions and high winds have enabled the flames to spread at a rapid pace and authorities have had trouble containing the blaze.

Several celebrities have lost their homes in the fires, including Silence of the Lambs star Anthony Hopkins, This Is Us actress Mandy Moore, reality stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, Paris Hilton and more.

Paris, 43, said that she watched the flames destroy her home on live television as she sat with her family on Wednesday, January 8. Two days later, she shared a video clip via Instagram that showed her surveying the wreckage.

“I’m standing here in what used to be our home, and the heartbreak is truly indescribable. When I first saw the news, I was in complete shock—I couldn’t process it. But now, standing here and seeing it with my own eyes, it feels like my heart has shattered into a million pieces,” the Simple Life alum wrote alongside the clip.

Paris described the home as “not just a place to live,” but “where we dreamed, laughed, and created the most beautiful memories as a family.” She added that it was where her son, Phoenix, used his “little hands” to make art that she will “cherish forever,” and “seeing it reduced to ashes” was “devastating beyond words.”

“What breaks my heart even more is knowing that this isn’t just my story. So many people have lost everything. It’s not just walls and roofs—it’s the memories that made those houses homes. It’s the photos, the keepsakes, the irreplaceable pieces of our lives,” Paris added. “And yet, in this pain, I know I’m incredibly lucky. My loved ones, my babies and my pets are safe. That’s the most important thing, and I’m holding onto that gratitude with everything I have.”