Aussie actor shares heartbreak as home ‘gone’ after LA fires

The actor who has appeared in Hollywood blockbusters said his heart is “completely broken” after finding his LA home in ruins.

An Australian actor and his partner have lost their home in the devastating Pacific Palisades fire that has almost wiped the affluent Los Angeles district off the map.

Benjamin Rigby, who has appeared in Hollywood blockbusters including Alien: Covenant and Ford v. Ferrari, is among a host of celebrities and artists whose lives have been up-ended by the horrific blaze.

MORE: Celeb homes destroyed in LA fires revealed

An image posted to the Queensland-raised actor, writer and producer’s Instagram showed little more than a staircase once leading to the house remained after the flames passed through.

“My heart is absolutely and completely broken,” he wrote.

“Our home is gone.”

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Benjamin Rigby grew up on the Gold Coast.

The remains of the actor’s home. Picture: Instagram

Rigby grew up on the Gold Coast and starred in Australian TV before moving to LA, where he has broken into big budget films which also include 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong.

Friends of the former Neighbours cast member have banded together to raise money for the couple dealing with the fallout of the catastrophic fire.

Melanie Zanetti – best-known as the voice of Chilli Heeler on the popular Aussie cartoon Bluey – put a call out for support on her social media overnight.

“One of my dearest friends (Rigby) and his partner have lost their home in the LA fires,” she wrote, sharing a link to a fundraiser set up to support the couple.

“Anything will help. Love to everyone in LA. Stay safe everyone XX.”

Melanie Zanetti with Bluey co-star David McCormack on The Jimmy Fallon Show.

Another friend, Belinda Misevski started the emergency fundraiser which has already gained more than $21,000.

“I’m trying to help Ben and Daren with any emergency relief funds possible as their home was destroyed in the fires happening this week in Pacific Palisades.

“The staircase in this image led to their home. There’s not much more I can say.”

Ms Misevski added both Rigby and his partner were away at the time of the fire and were safe.

“As this is emergency relief the funds will be used for anything they need after this loss- food, accommodation, clothing, vehicles, anything they need,” she wrote.

Benjamin Rigby on the set of Ford vs Ferrari. Picture: X

Fellow Aussie entertainer Didier Cohen documented his evacuation from Pacific Palisades this week as the wild dire bore down on homes.

“Um, not good,” he said in a video posted to his social media, as he watched on from his front yard.

“There’s fires around our whole house. It’s clearly across the street. Houses already getting engulfed.

“Just standing by for an evacuation notice. Thanks to everyone who reached out.”

The Australia’s Next Top Model star Didier Cohen was among 30,000 residents forced to evacuate their homes due to the unprecedented natural disaster.

Rebel Wilson on Thursday revealed her beloved cat had to be rescued from her Hollywood Hills home after it was caught in the path of the devastating fires.

Bushfires across Los Angeles have claimed at least five lives and forced 180,000 people to flee.

At least five separate fires continue to burn, including in the heart of historic Hollywood, just a few hundred meters from Hollywood Boulevard.