A massive sinkhole opened up in front of a luxurious Malibu mansion believed to be owned by actor Nicolas Cage, causing the driveway to collapse. The incident occurred early Tuesday morning, leading to a gas leak that prompted emergency response from authorities and utility services. SoCalGas, the utility company, managed to control the leak after a few hours but decided to temporarily shut off natural gas services in the area to prevent coastal erosion.
Measuring approximately 7.5 to nine meters deep and 18 meters wide, the sinkhole extended into the roadway, resulting in a local emergency declaration and evacuation order for 31 nearby properties. Despite requests for comment, representatives for Cage remained silent. Property records indicated that the mansion was sold in 2024, with the previous owner confirming Cage as the buyer.
The mansion suffered damage during a coastal flooding advisory in the Los Angeles area, influenced by the remnants of Hurricane Marie transitioning into a tropical storm. Although the storm did not directly hit the coast, it brought heavy rain and hazardous waves to Southern California over the holiday weekend.
The City of Malibu stated that the sinkhole incident was part of broader regional coastal challenges and highlighted ongoing monitoring efforts for coastal erosion in various vulnerable locations along the coast. The upscale neighborhood where the mansion is situated lies between the Pacific Ocean and the famous Pacific Coast Highway.
Nicolas Cage, 62, known for his recent role in the Amazon series “Spider-Noir,” is set to portray John Madden in an upcoming biographical film. With a prolific acting career spanning over 100 films, Cage earned an Oscar for his performance in “Leaving Las Vegas.”