Jennifer Garner chokes up revealing she ‘lost a friend’ in the LA fires
Jennifer Garner has lost a friend to the LA fires.
The actress, 52, revealed the devastating news Friday during an interview on MSNBC.
Appearing alongside World Central Kitchen Chef José Andrés, Garner told anchor Katy Tur about the death of her friend who she knew through church.
“I did lose a friend, and for our church, it’s really tender so I don’t feel like we should talk about it yet,” the star told Tur, choking up. “I did lose a friend. She didn’t get out in time.”
Jennifer Garner revealed a friend from church died in the blaze. MSNBC
The star fought back tears while revealing the news during the broadcast. MSNBC
The official death toll from the Eaton and Palisades fires that tore through Los Angeles over the past few days rose to 11 on Friday.
“My heart bleeds for my friends,” Garner added. “I mean, I can think of 100 families, and there are 5,000 homes lost. I can — without even [thinking] — I could just write out a list of 100 friends who lost their homes.”
“I feel almost guilty walking through my house.”
She continued, “You know, what can I do? How can I help? What can I offer? What do I have to offer with these hands and these walls and the safety that I have?”
Jennifer Garner feels “guilty” walking around her home that’s still standing. MSNBC
She was onsite, helping feed volunteers and firefighters. MSNBC
Garner spoke with MSNBC while volunteering with Andrés, 55, to feed firefighters and evacuees at one of the chef’s pop-up locations across Los Angeles County.
The “13 Going on 30” star told Tur, 41, that Andrés’ work to serve those affected by the fires “is an incredible thing to watch.”
“World Central Kitchen and Chef José just come in and [said], ‘We’ve got you. We’ve got this handled. Don’t worry.’”
Garner has been a Pacific Palisades resident for years. GC Images
The fire has ravaged the gorgeous, upscale neighborhood. GC Images
“I’ve lived in and around the Palisades for 25 years, so I just think all of us, we want to get our hands into working, somehow, to be helpful,” she continued. “And because of my work with Save The Children, we have a relationship with the chef, and I was able to just say, ‘Can I be with you for the day? What can I do to help? Put me to work.’”
Only 8% contained, the Palisades Fire is the largest of the fires wreaking havoc on Los Angeles County. The blaze has burned over 21,000 acres in the coastal communities of Pacific Palisades and Malibu.
Two other fires, the Eaton and Hurst fires, are still out of control. In total, over 200,000 people have been displaced, and more than 10,000 structures have been destroyed.
More than 200,000 people have been displaced. REUTERS
The death toll spiked to 11 on Friday. AFP via Getty Images
A firefighter looks on as the Palisades Fire burns a house. AP
Many celebrities rank among the thousands who have fled or lost their homes.
Anthony Hopkins, Billy Crystal, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, Paris Hilton, Anna Faris, Steve Guttenberg, Mel Gibson, Tina Knowles, Miles Teller, Cobi Smulders, Melissa Rivers, Jeff Bridges, Candy Spelling, Eugene Levy and Adam Brody and Leighton Meester are all stars whose homes have been destroyed by the fires.
