L.A. Woman: Jamie Lee Curtis Leads Rebuilding Efforts After Devastating Pacific Palisades Fire
"Where I live is on fire right now,' Jamie Lee Curtis said, her voice shaking, as she sat down on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in New York City on the night of Jan. 7 for a prescheduled taping.She had left L.A. that morning, and on the flight, messages began flying in from her 'many, many, many friends' whose houses in her tightknit Westside neighborhood had been incinerated in a blaze fueled by hurricane-force Santa Ana winds — leaving homes and businesses reduced to ash. Her husband, filmmaker and actor Christopher Guest, and their rescue dog, Runi, were among the throngs forced to flee toward the Pacific Coast Highway under mandatory evacuation orders that afternoon.
'Literally, the entire city of Pacific Palisades is burning,' Curtis said on television through tears. 'It's fucking gnarly, you guys. It's just a catastrophe.' Then, the producer, actor, American Red Cross ambassador and lifelong 'Angelena,' as she's quick to call herself, swallowed hard and urged viewers to 'do anything you can in your community to help people.'Curtis immediately took action and promised $1 million through her family's foundation, My Hand In Yours, aimed at fire relief efforts — funding that has already bolstered the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, which is the nonprofit arm of the LAFD; the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank; the California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund; and the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region.Her home was not among the 6,831 structures devoured by flames, or the more than 12,317 seriously damaged in the deadly Palisades Fire that left a dozen people dead. But her community was decimated: The church where she got sober. Her daughters' schools. Grocery stores and small business. All gone. Curtis and many others in the ravaged burn zones of the Palisades and neighboring Malibu are determined to breathe new life into what was lost.'Greater minds than mine are going to need to come together to rebuild,' Curtis tells Los Angeles. 'We have passion, and we have creativity. We need to put our money where our mouths are and help those who need it most.'In a strange twist of irony, Curtis has spent years understanding the aftermath of a disastrous wildfire. After reading the riveting 2021 book, Paradise: One Town's Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire by Lizzie Johnson, she teamed up with producer Jason Blum to option it. This year, their film The Lost Bus, starring Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera, will be released — centered on the harrowing true story of a bus driver and a teacher who navigated a school bus full of children through the 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County that killed 85 people.When they began filming, of course Curtis had no idea that she would soon be witnessing similar acts of bravery from her very own neighbors, who started a neighborhood watch that acted like a small fire brigade looking for smoldering embers, and held fundraisers — acts of unfettered kindness that will be critical as they start to rebuild.One month after the fires, the 2023 Oscar winner posted a message for her six million Instagram followers: 'Be very gentle with people as you make your way through the world because you have no idea what they have been through and what they are carrying in their hearts and I mean that about everything everywhere all at once.'
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Elle
18 hours ago
- Elle
The 'Squid Game' Season 3 Cast Is Full of Korean Megastars
Spoilers ahead. Squid Game has returned with its third and final season—and it's bloodier than ever. The deadly battle royale continues with the financially desperate characters we met in season 2, who are risking their lives for an opportunity to win millions of dollars (billions in Korean Won). Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), the winner of the last game, is determined to take down the sadistic organization behind it all. But that's not easy feat, especially after the last seasons's brutal finale. While creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk had trouble finding A-list actors (besides veterans Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byun-hun, and Gong Yoo) for the first season because the show was relatively unknown at the time, he had no trouble with casting for season 2. 'After season 1, we saw the cast becoming huge global stars overnight,' Hwang told The Hollywood Reporter. 'Thanks to that, I was [now] able to cast the exact actor that I wanted for every role.' This season's ensemble contains many established Korean actors, theater icons, and former and current K-pop stars that fans outside of the Squid Game universe might recognize. Check out some of the actors and the characters they play below. Three years passed after Gi-hun won the Squid Game, but throughout that time, he has been obsessively searching for the people responsible for the deadly operation. He reenters the game hoping to go head-to-head with the man in charge, the masked Front Man (Lee Byun-hun). Since the global success of Squid Game season 1, Lee Jung-jae has won a Primetime Emmy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Critics' Choice Award for his role as Gi-hun. Last year, he starred in the Star Wars series The Acolyte and the Korean film Revolver. Lee hopes fans will connect with the storyline this season, telling The Tonight Show, 'Because season 1 was so widely loved, we did feel the pressure about whether or not season 2 would be just as loved. However, our story has gotten more diverse, deeper, and with a very clear theme. So I don't know if I can say it will be as successful, but what I can say is that it's just as well-made.' Gi-hun isn't the only familiar face in the new Squid Game. Like Oh Il-nam in the first season, the Front Man disguises himself as a player to prevent Gi-heun's plan of destroying the game from happening. Lee returns as the main boss and villain of the game, but he also hopes to showcase a more human side to the character. As one of the most prolific and celebrated actors in South Korea, Lee has also appeared in several Hollywood blockbusters, including Terminator Genisys, Red 2, the G.I. Joe films, and 2016's The Magnificent Seven remake. He was recently seen in the disaster thriller Concrete Utopia and can be seen next in Park Chan-wook's No Other Choice. After being shot by his brother In-ho (the Front Man) and falling into the sea in the season 1 finale, detective Jun-ho miraculously survived but was traumatized by the whole experience. In seasons 2 and 3, he searches for the island—and his brother. 'As a police detective and family member, you can look forward to his determination and drive,' Wi said during the Squid Game press conference. 'Also, anticipate Jun-ho's judgment and charisma.' Since Squid Game, Wi has appeared in Little Women, Gyeongseong Creature, The Worst of Evil, and The Midnight Romance in Hagwon. He can be seen next in Shark 2: The Storm and Que Sera Sera. Gambling addict Yong-sik enters the game in hopes of clearing his debts from dangerous loan sharks. He is shocked to find his loving mother, Geum-ja, participating in the game, but he does his best to protect her throughout the deadly trials. Yang is an established hip-hop artist known as YDG and has released several albums, EPs, and singles throughout his 23-year music career. His musical talent led him to be the lead in Korea's production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights from 2015 to 2017. His acting career began at age 7, and he appeared in supporting and guest roles in several dramas and sitcoms before breaking out in leading roles as an adult in the TV drama Ruler of Your Own World and sports film Grand Prix. He recently appeared in Disney+'s Moving and Connect and can be seen next in the platform's The Manipulated. Kang has appeared in popular Korean dramas like A Virtuous Business and Queen of Divorce and hit films like Kim Ji-Young: Born 1982 and Rebound. She is best known for her musical theater background, having won numerous awards in Korea for her work onstage. Although Kang is a seasoned actress, Squid Game is her first global project. She plays Geum-ja, a loving mother who enters the Squid Game to clear her son, Yong-sik, of his gambling debts. Little did she know, he was also participating in the game. Together, they must find a way to survive. Player 388, a.k.a. Dae-ho, is first introduced to the series as a macho marine, but he has more bark than bite when faced with a few scary situations. Kang describes Dae-ho as 'full of energy,' which is the only thing he has in common with the character. During the Squid Game press conference in 2024, the cast praised Kang for his upbeat and charismatic personality. He responded, 'Honestly, when will I ever get to work with these amazing actors?' As one of Korea's most prolific Chungmuro (Korea's version of 'Hollywood') actors, Kang has starred in several award-winning films like the 2015 coming-of-age drama Twenty and 2023's popular romantic comedy Love Reset. He's also starred in multiple South Korean television shows, including Insider and When the Camellia Blooms. He's set to appear in the Korean film Yadang: The Snitch next year and the upcoming production Wall to Wall. Pregnant, broke, and alone, Jun-hee joins the games for an opportunity to rebuild her finances after losing everything in a crypto scam because her ex-boyfriend (and father of her unborn child), Myung-gi, pushed her to invest. Best known for her music, Jo rose in the industry as an idol in the K-pop group IZ*ONE before breaking out on her solo career. After releasing her two albums, she made her acting debut in 2022 with the television series Mimicus. Squid Game is her second major role. Jo reflected on her reaction to being cast, saying, 'I don't remember what exactly happened because my sudden excitement level went up, and it was like that moment was erased from my mind. It felt like a dream. I was that happy.' An actor and K-pop idol of the group ZE:A, Yim was a fan of the first season of Squid Game and binged the show in one sitting. When he was cast for season 2 and entered the set, he was overwhelmed with excitement and emotions. He shared in the press conference, 'When [the doll] Young-hee's head actually turned, it was quite an incredible moment. That moment also gave me a chill as it was something I experienced from the perspective of a fan.' Yim enters the game as Myung-gi, a formerly wealthy and successful YouTuber who advised his audience on cryptocurrency investments. After losing his (and several of his followers') fortune in a cryptocurrency scam, he enters the game to pay off his debts and lawsuits and return to his old life. Aside from Squid Game, Yim has starred in films like Boyhood and television series like Tracer and Summer Strike. Lee is no stranger to hit Netflix shows—he famously starred as the antagonist in the widely acclaimed apocalyptic thriller Sweet Home, which lasted for three seasons. In Squid Game, Lee's Gyeong-seok is an 'ordinary man,' he says, who enters the game to provide life-saving treatment for his cancer-stricken child. He could also be seen in next year's South Korean occult supernatural thriller film, Dark Nuns, and the romance drama, Seven O'Clock Breakfast Meeting for the Broken Hearted. In one of the most controversial castings for the series, Park, a cis-gender man, plays Hyun-ju, a transgender woman who enters the game to pay for her gender-affirming surgery. She is a former special forces soldier with invaluable survival skills but deals with prejudice throughout the game. Director Hwang believes that Hyun-ju will be one of the most beloved characters. One of the most popular actors on the Korean stage, Park has appeared in famous productions like The History Boys, Pride, and Two Weddings and a Funeral, earning the nickname 'Theater Idol.' He broke out into television and film as the lead in the 2018 horror movie Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum and the K-drama series My Only One. Park's most recent K-dramas roles were in Netflix's The Glory and Queen of Tears. He can be seen in next year's drama series, The Tyrant's Chef. As a defected North Korean soldier, No Eul left her family behind, including her newborn child, to escape to South Korea. When she is recruited for the games, it first appears that she's been chosen as one of the players, but in a twist of events, No Eul was actually hired to be one of the Pink Guards. Since her acting debut in 2016, Park has been booked and busy with television dramas and films. She has starred in It's Okay Not to Be Okay, Sweet Home, Dali and the Cocky Prince, Celebrity, and A Good Day to be a Dog. She can be seen next in the Netflix film Mantis and the drama In the Net. Lee Seo-hwan is a regular fixture in K-dramas, guest-starring in popular series like Fight for My Way, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Daily Dose of Sunshine, and AppleTV's acclaimed drama Pachinko. The character actor is also a folk singer and actor in the Korean theater scene. He appeared briefly in season 1 of Squid Game as Jung-bae, Gi-hun's friend outside of the game who used to gamble alongside him regularly. By season 2, Jung-bae had fallen further debt, causing him to join the game, to Gi-hun's surprise. However, he tragically dies during the players' rebellion at the end of season 2. Choi plays Thanos, a famous retired rapper who lost all his money after listening to Myung-gi's cryptocurrency advice. He enters the game to pay off his massive debts and does whatever it takes to win. After seeing Myung-gi as a fellow player, Thanos is hell-bent on revenge by brutally tormenting the former YouTuber. But he meets his bloody end at the end of season 2. Best known by his stage name, T.O.P., Choi is a former member of the successful K-pop group BigBang. Since his departure from BigBang last year, Choi has focused on his art collection, acting, and numerous business endeavors, including his wine company T'SPOT. Another familiar face in the Squid Game Universe, Yoo returns to what he thought was a cameo as the Salesman, who recruits desperate players into the game, usually with a few slap-happy rounds of ddakji. (During season 1, viewers were so in awe of him they wanted him to slap them too.) In season 2, we learn more about the character's background, but he doesn't last long. Yoo was surprised with the success of Squid Game as the cameo appearance started as a joke with director Hwang, telling ELLE Korea, 'I didn't expect it to be this big. Somehow, I grew a little more in that worldview, but I still feel like it's someone else's job.' As one of the most famous faces in Korea, Yoo is best known for his roles in the television dramas like Coffee Prince and Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (also known as Goblin), and the films Silenced, The Suspect, Train to Busan, The Age of Shadows, and The Silent Sea. He's also working on the Korean drama Slowly But Intensely. Jung is a fashion model with recent magazine appearances in Korean editions of ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR, W, and Marie Claire. Though she was a contestant on Korea's Next Top Model in 2013, Squid Game marks her official acting debut. In it, she plays Kang Sae-byeok, a North Korean defector hoping to use the game winnings to make a better life for her and her younger brother, who's living in an orphanage. The Netflix series marked a big breakout moment for Jung, who has gone on to win a SAG Award, appear in The Weeknd's 'Out of Time' music video, and get cast in Apple TV+'s Disclaimer series with Cate Blanchett and the A24 film The Governess with Lily-Rose Depp. Prior to Squid Game, Park starred in TV shows such as Prison Playbook and Legend of the Blue Sea. Up next, he'll star in the Korean adaptation of Money Heist. In addition to the success of the new Netflix series, Park also celebrated a personal milestone as a new dad. He and his wife welcomed their first child together, a boy, on Sept. 29, 2021. This year, he starred in another big Netflix series, Money Heist: Korea. Tripathi was born in India and moved to Korea in 2010 to attend the Korea National University of Arts, according to India Times. He made his film debut in 2014's Ode to My Father and landed a number of small roles thereafter. Earlier this year, he also lent his voice to Netflix's The 8th Night. On Instagram, he thanked viewers for their support of Squid Game, writing, 'No words to express my gratitude to the people all over the world, who all are loving and blessing Ali and [Squid Game].' Often called Player 212, the mischievous Han Mi-nyeo is portrayed onscreen by Kim joo-ryoung. The actress' film credits date back to the 2000s, including Memories of Murder (2003) and Plum Blossom (2000), and, later, dramas like Sleepless Night (2012) and Texture of Skin (2007). Like her costars, Kim has shared a handful of behind-the-scenes glimpses from the Squid Game set on Instagram, making those barracks look a lot less miserable.


Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Buzz Feed
Jeremy Allen White Reveals Why He Always Buys Flowers
Jeremy Allen White is a sucker for a beautiful bouquet, but the sentimental reason behind it even more alluring. If you've seen paparazzi photos of The Bear star out in the wild, then there's a strong chance he was spotted with flowers in his hands. He's been seen on numerous occasions buying an assortment of flowers, ranging in beautiful, bright colors. And it's happened so much that people have speculated what he does with them — gifting them to a significant other, fueling a hobby, etc. So, when he stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Thursday to promote the new season of the Emmy-winning series, the late night host made sure to ask Jeremy about it. "You're always carrying giant bouquets of flowers, everywhere you are," Jimmy said, while showing a collage of pictures of Jeremy holding pretty plants. "I love it. It's your your one else can take this move. That is your move. Do you work at a florist or what?" 'I have this farmer's market near my house," Jeremy replied. "It's on Sundays, and I just love going there, and I love flowers in my house. I like them in the house." "It's so strange, though, it's become this thing. I saw a friend a couple of weeks ago that I hadn't seen in a while, and she goes, 'What's up with the flowers?'" He jokingly remembered feeling like his friend might've thought he was doing something "sinister" or "strange" with the flowers. "I just like them," he continued. "I like them in the house. I give them to people. I arrange them with my daughters on Sunday, and it's like — it's a nice thing that we do." The audience erupted in a sea of "awws" at the sweet activity he does with his kids. Jeremy shares two little girls — Ezer, 6, and Dolores, 4 — with his ex-wife, Addison Timlin. And fans online proudly voiced their admiration for Jeremy's hobby: How adorable! You can watch Jeremy's full interview with Jimmy below:


New York Post
3 days ago
- New York Post
Jeremy Allen White finally addresses why he's always carrying flowers: ‘It's so strange'
Yes, chef! Another day, another bouquet for Jeremy Allen White. 'The Bear' actor addressed why he's always photographed with an armful of flowers — and the internet's unexpected obsession with it. 'I have this farmers market near my house, it's on Sundays and I just love… I love going there, and I love flowers in my house,' White, 34, said during a his appearance on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' Thursday. 'It's so strange, though, it's become this thing.' Advertisement 6 White addressed the flower photos during his June 26 appearance on 'The Tonight Show.' The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon/Youtube Fallon held up a photo collage of White clutching the giant bouquets and teased, 'Do you work at a florist?' 'I saw a friend a couple weeks ago I hadn't seen in a while, and we were catching up and she just goes, 'Can I ask you something?'' White explained. 'She was like, 'What's up with the flowers?' As if there was something sinister going on, that I was doing something strange with the flowers.' Advertisement 6 White is frequently photographed carrying bouquets of flowers. GC Images 6 Fallon jokingly asked White if he 'work[s] at a florist.' GC Images 'I just like them,' White explained. 'I like them in the house. I like giving them to people.' The flowers have also become a part of his bond with his daughters, with the actor telling the talk show host, 'I arrange them with my daughters on Sunday, and it's like… it's a nice thing that we do.' Advertisement White embraced it as his 'thing,' to which Fallon responded, 'No one can take that from you.' 6 White with his daughters, Ezer and Dolores, whom he shares with ex-wife Addison Timlin. Instagram/ The 'Shameless' alum shares daughters Ezer, 6, and Dolores, 4, with his ex-wife, Addison Timlin. The pair married in 2019, and Timlin filed for divorce in May 2023. In January 2024, White honored his daughters with a shoutout after winning the Golden Globe for Best Television Male Actor in a Musical or Comedy for 'The Bear.' Advertisement 'Ezra and Dolores, you are my heart. I love you, I love you, I love you,' he said in his speech. 6 White with his oldest daughter, Ezer, 6. Instagram/ In June 2024, White shared that while his daughters know about 'The Bear,' they haven't watched it just yet. 'My oldest, Ezzy… she really enjoys the first two minutes of the pilot episode, which is just me getting scared by a bear and then falling on my butt,' he told Entertainment Tonight at the premiere of the FX series' third season. 'She'll ask to watch that a lot. But that's all of the show she's seen.' 'The Bear' returned for Season 4 on June 25, with all 10 episodes available to stream on Hulu. White stars as Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto in the Emmy Award-winning series alongside Ayo Edebiri (Sydney Adamu) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Richard 'Richie' Jerimovich). 6 Season 4 of 'The Bear' premiered on Hulu on June 25. FX Advertisement Known for its celebrity cameos — especially in its last two seasons — Season 4 served up a star-studded lineup of guest stars both old and new, including Jamie Lee Curtis (Donna Berzatto), Bob Odenkirk (Uncle Lee), Brie Larson (Francine 'Francie' Fak) and Rob Reiner (Albert). White also stars as Bruce Springsteen in The Boss' 20th Century Studios biopic, 'Deliver Me From Nowhere,' set to hit theaters on October 24.