Nicolas Cage’s multimillion-dollar beachfront home in Malibu has been damaged after a massive sinkhole opened near the property, swallowing much of the driveway and threatening access to several homes along the coastal street.
Emergency crews responded to the area around 5:45 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, after receiving reports of a utility problem near Sea Level Drive in Malibu. When firefighters arrived, they discovered that a large section of the driveway and roadway had collapsed, leaving a deep crater beside Cage’s oceanfront residence.
The collapse also caused a gas leak, which was brought under control by emergency crews and Southern California Gas Company. Authorities temporarily shut off natural gas service along part of the street as a precaution while crews assessed the unstable ground.
Photos and video from the scene showed broken concrete, sections of fencing and other debris inside the sinkhole. The collapse extended toward the beach below the property, highlighting the severity of the coastal erosion affecting the neighborhood.
Malibu officials order evacuations after sinkhole expands
The situation became more serious later in the day as the City of Malibu declared a local emergency and issued evacuation orders for affected properties along Sea Level Drive.
City officials said the expanding sinkhole was creating a safety risk not only to nearby homes but also to emergency access in the neighborhood. Authorities warned that conditions could deteriorate further because of high tides, rain and coastal erosion associated with Marie.
A temporary shelter was established for affected residents while officials continued to monitor the area.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the sinkhole had grown to approximately 25 feet deep and 30 feet by 60 feet wide by Tuesday evening. The city ultimately ordered evacuations affecting 31 homes in the area, with several properties facing direct safety concerns and others losing reliable vehicle access.
No injuries were reported.
Nicolas Cage was reportedly not at the Malibu property
Cage was not believed to be inside the home when the collapse occurred, and officials said the residence was unoccupied during the initial emergency response.
The full extent of the damage to the actor’s property has not yet been determined. His representatives had not publicly commented on the incident in the immediate aftermath.
Property records indicate that Cage acquired the Malibu residence in 2024 for about $10.5 million. The oceanfront home covers roughly 4,000 square feet, or about 370 square meters, and sits in a private coastal neighborhood between the Pacific Ocean and Pacific Coast Highway.
Its location provides dramatic ocean views, but homes along this stretch of the Southern California coastline can also be exposed to powerful surf, flooding and erosion during severe weather conditions.
Severe surf and coastal erosion hit Southern California
The sinkhole developed after Southern California experienced heavy surf and coastal flooding linked to Marie, which had previously reached hurricane strength before weakening.
Although the storm did not make landfall in California, its effects produced dangerous waves and rain along portions of the coast over the holiday weekend. Malibu officials said additional high tides and rainfall could further destabilize the affected section of Sea Level Drive.
Authorities continued evaluating the road, surrounding properties and utility infrastructure as residents waited to learn when the neighborhood would be considered safe again.
Nicolas Cage remains one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars
Born in 1964, Nicolas Cage has built one of Hollywood’s most distinctive acting careers, appearing in more than 100 film and television productions.
He rose to prominence during the 1980s and later became known for movies including Birdy, Face/Off, National Treasure, Ghost Rider and Leaving Las Vegas.
His performance in Leaving Las Vegas earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, as well as a Golden Globe.
Cage is also part of the Coppola filmmaking family. His uncle is acclaimed director Francis Ford Coppola, best known for directing The Godfather, while actress Talia Shire is his aunt.
For now, however, attention in Malibu remains focused on the unstable coastline surrounding Cage’s property. Officials are continuing to assess the expanding sinkhole and the damage it has caused as crews work to secure the neighborhood and restore safe access for residents.
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