When HGTV star Jonathan Scott revealed on January 10, 2025, that though he and his fiancée, actress Zooey Deschanel were safe after wildfires devastated multiple areas of Los Angeles earlier in the week, he acknowledged that they did have family members who “lost everything.”
On January 17, Deschanel’s 45th birthday, she revealed that it was her family who suffered such a huge loss. In a heartbreaking Instagram post on January 17, Deschanel shared that the home she grew up in, and where her parents still lived, was among the many houses that burned to the ground in the Pacific Palisades.
The “New Girl” alum wrote, “The family photos that lined the hallways, the artwork, the piano I learned to play on, the wedding china, the furniture my great great grandfather built… the reminders of generations past: All have vanished into thin air.”
Earlier in the day, Scott had posted a birthday tribute to his longtime love, calling her a “beacon of hope” during such a trying time.
Zooey Deschanel Says Her Family’s Home Felt ‘Holy’ to Her
Deschanel shared photos of the charming home before the fires and the rubble that remains, calling it “a marvel of 1920s Spanish revival architecture,” and noting that it was one of the oldest homes in Palisades. But more importantly, the actress said, it was “full of too many incredible memories to count” and “so spectacularly beautiful.”
“It was not a mansion but it was cozy and lovely and unique and perfect to me,” Deschanel added.
Deschanel and her older sister, actress Emily Deschanel, grew up in the home with their parents, cinematographer Caleb Deschanel (a six-time Oscar nominee) and actress Mary Jo Deschanel, according to People. The actress included photos in her post of special moments their family shared in their home.
“One of my friends growing up called it ‘The Church’ because the 14 foot ceilings with stained glass windows in the living room cast colorful shadows at the end of the day,” Deschanel wrote. “And to me it was holy, a sanctuary where we felt most safe. The Christmas dinners, Easter egg hunts, trick or treating, weddings, birthdays, baby showers… we celebrated the best moments of our lives there.”
“I know we are not alone,” Deschanel continued. “Along with another beautiful LA neighborhood, Alta Dena, the streets of my childhood in Pacific Palisades have been all but erased as we knew them. So many people have lost so much.”
Thanking “all the people who have shown up for us and our community” and the firefighters “who have been working around the clock to keep everyone safe, Deschanel wrote, “You are our true heroes.”
Deschanel also thanked friends “who have been so wonderful to think of us during this time: you have texted and called, come to visit, you have made us meals, you have sent clothes to my parents who left with nothing, you have distracted us with humor and you have cried with us when we needed.”
“Your kindness is the salve that has made this bearable,” the actress shared. “To the strangers who have lifted our spirits with kind gestures: you are the true meaning of community. Thank you all for showing us the goodness in your hearts. You have no idea how much it means to us.”
On January 10, when Scott alluded to family members who had “lost everything,” the “Property Brothers” star wrote, “Our communities are devastated and I promise to work hard to help rebuild.”
Jonathan Scott Honors Zooey Deschanel on Her Birthday: ‘You Deserve to Be Celebrated’
In the comment section of her post, Deschanel acknowledged that she was writing her heart-wrenching update on her birthday.
“Ok and for the last part,” she wrote, “yeah… today is my birthday. And I feel kind of weird celebrating.
Maybe today you could do something for someone who has lost their home. Just a text or a call? Or if you’re able to- I’d be honored if you supported the LA firefighters relief association, which supports our firefighters, and/or Baby2Baby, which has been supplying underserved communities who have been affected by the fires with essentials.”
Scott and Deschanel have been longtime supporters of Baby2Baby, which says it has distributed over 60 million essentials to children impacted by natural disasters like the Los Angeles wildfires. Donations can be made to the organization here.
Deschanel concluded her post by writing, “I know this is long, if you’re still reading, thank you for commemorating this beautiful home. 💔”
Earlier in the day, Scott posted a birthday tribute to his longtime love, writing, “There are moments in life that test you and try to break you. But there are people who make you stronger and fill you with purpose and passion. That person for me is you @zooeydeschanel. Seems like a strange time to celebrate anything…but you are my beacon of hope and you deserve to be celebrated. I love you #HappyBirthday 🥰”
Deschanel and Scott got engaged in August 2023, when he proposed at his favorite castle in Scotland, but have not planned a wedding.
English (US) ·