During Kathy Bates‘ acceptance speech for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in Matlock at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards in Santa Monica, Calif., she revealed that Eric Christian Olsen—who serves as an executive producer on the show—was among those impacted by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
“[He] had a house in the [Pacific] Palisades,” she said during her speech Feb. 7, “and it burned down.”
In response, Kathy, 76, announced to the audience that since the NCIS: Los Angeles actor “hasn’t quite found a home yet,” she would present him with her award as a gesture of support, informing him that “this is coming to you first thing for décor.”
In her acceptance remarks, the Two and a Half Men veteran—who competed against Caitriona Balfe, Shanola Hampton, Keira Knightley, Keri Russell, and Anna Sawai—also praised the first responders present for their courage during the natural disaster.
“To watch all the film of you guys standing in a line with a wall of flames in front of you is just terrifying,” she emphasized. “I don’t know how you did it, but I thank you so much for so many of us in Los Angeles.”
Fellow celebrities at the event discussed the fires, including Kate Hudson, who expressed optimism about the community’s response despite the destruction.
“People who live in Los Angeles, we love Los Angeles,” she exclusively told E! News correspondent Will Marfuggi on the red carpet, “and everyone’s just risen to the occasion.”
While LAFD captain Erik Scott acknowledged that “it’s been a very long month” for firefighters, his colleague captain Adam VanGerpen highlighted the widespread appreciation they’ve received.
“We’ve had so many people appreciative in the community, as well as businesses,” VanGerpen told E! News. “Hollywood’s really been stepping up supporting our firefighters.”
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