Jennifer Garner Says She ‘Lost a Friend’ in the Los Angeles Wildfires

Jennifer Garner has revealed that she “lost a friend” in the Los Angeles wildfires that have displaced over 130,000 and killed at least 10 people.

Speaking to MSNBC while volunteering in the Pacific Palisades area with Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen, the actress said, “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. I did lose a friend. She didn’t get out in time.”

Garner, who “lived in and around the Palisades for 25 years,” did not reveal the friends’ identity. The Pacific Palisades was among the most devastated areas by the wildfires, with thousands of homes lost in the still-uncontained blaze. 

“My heart bleeds for my friends,” Garner said. “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.”

The actress added, “I feel almost guilty walking through my house. 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?”

Garner also praised the work of World Central Kitchen and Andres, who recently received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his humanitarian efforts.

“It is an incredible thing to watch,” Garner said. “World Central Kitchen and Chef José just come in and… ‘We’ve got you. We’ve got this handled. Don’t worry.’ “

More than 10,000 structures have burned down in multiple fires around the Los Angeles area, including in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena. At least 10 people have been killed, with more than 130,000 people displaced by the blazes. Numerous celebrities have also lost their homes, including Mandy Moore, Billy Crystal, Jhené Aiko, and James Woods.