PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

A fast-moving wildfire in Southern California has scorched a historic movie site recently used by the HBO series “Westworld” and forced numerous celebrities to join the thousands fleeing flames that have claimed homes and prompted the total evacuation of the celebrity enclave Malibu.

Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian West, Scott Baio, Rainn Wilson and Guillermo del Toro are among numerous celebrities forced to evacuate their homes, in some cases hurriedly trying to arrange transport for their horses. Some, like del Toro and Caitlyn Jenner, did not know the fate of their homes, but the wind-driven wildfire has destroyed the home of “Dr. Strange” director Scott Derrickson and the historic Paramount Ranch where shows like HBO’s “Westworld” and “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” were filmed.

Alyssa Milano said her home was “in jeopardy” amid her attempts to safely evacuate her five horses.

Cher is concerned about her house in Malibu, an area where the actresssinger has lived for more than 45 years.

Viggo Mortensen apologizes for using racial slur at panel talk

Actor Viggo Mortensen has apologized for using a racial slur during a panel discussion about his new film, “Green Book.”

Mortensen, who is white, appeared Wednesday at the event with his costar, Mahershala Ali, and director Peter Farrelly. Mortensen told The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday he was making the point that many people casually used the slur in 1962, when the movie takes place. He says he had “no right to even imagine the hurt that is caused by hearing the word in any context.” He says he intended to “speak strongly against racism.”