Billy Crystal, who lost his home in the Palisades Fire, delivered a heartfelt message at the LA FireAid Benefit Concert held on Thursday night at the Kia Forum. The event aimed to support displaced families, rebuild infrastructure, and advance fire protection technologies.
Following a powerful performance by Green Day, Crystal took the stage to introduce the concert, humorously stating, “Our goal is simple tonight, to raise more money than the Dodgers spent on free agents.” He highlighted that Steve Ballmer, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers and the Intuit Dome, would match all donations made during the event, dollar for dollar.
The first significant contribution of the night came from U2, who donated million, which Ballmer agreed to match. “You’ll be hearing from a number of people who were tragically affected by these fires, and I was one of them,” Crystal shared, recalling the harrowing experience of fleeing his home with his wife, Janice, on January 7th, with nothing but the clothes on their backs and an N-95 mask.
Reflecting on the past, Crystal recalled a benefit he held 23 years ago at Madison Square Garden after the 9/11 attacks, where he faced an audience filled with grief. He poignantly stated, “And tonight, here I am, talking to all of you in pain, but now I am also one of the hurting thousands.” He expressed his sorrow over the losses suffered, asking, “Have you seen my school? Have you seen my church? Have you seen my house? Have you seen my town? Have you seen the 29 people who lost their lives? Have you seen them?”
In a moment of gratitude, Crystal acknowledged the bravery of first responders, stating, “Tonight, we’re here together to thank them and all those who run towards danger while we run to shelter and safety.” He paused to applaud the first responders in attendance at the concert.
As he recounted his return to the site of his home in the Palisades, where he had lived for 46 years, Crystal shared the emotional moment he experienced when he saw the aftermath of the Palisades Fire. He described falling to his knees in despair, recalling the last time he had cried so deeply was when he lost his father at age 15. “And now folks, I’m 76-years-old, without a mirror and a lot less life to ponder thinking, ‘What is my life going to be like without our home?’” he reflected.
During his visit to the ruins of his home, his daughters presented him with a rock engraved with the word “laughter.” Crystal emphasized the importance of finding humor even in the darkest times, stating, “Even in your worst pain folks, it’s okay and it’s important to laugh.” He interpreted the rock as a message of hope from his younger self, assuring him that “It’s gonna be okay and it will be okay.”
In closing, Crystal expressed optimism for the future, saying, “With your help around the country and here in the room, we will laugh again. We are going to listen to music again, and we will be okay.”