Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage has clarified his recent comments about being "homeless" after a massive sinkhole appeared outside his $10.5 million mansion in Malibu.
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Cage, 62, attended L.A. Comic Con on Saturday, where he discussed his current living arrangements after an interviewer asked about his Halloween plans.
"I'm currently a little bit homeless, he said. "Something happened to my house in Malibu so I'm just sort of living in hotels so I don't have normal trick or treaters I would like to enjoy tonight."
His remarks quickly attracted criticism on social media, with some users questioning his choice of words given his wealth and circumstances.
Nicolas Cage Clarifies Homeless Comments Following Backlash
Cage addressed the controversy on Wednesday, explaining that he had not intended to suggest he was experiencing homelessness in the traditional sense.
Instead, the actor said he was referring to his inability to celebrate Halloween at his Malibu property.
"I went to Comic Con and I was riffing with a very good interviewer and he just had to ask, because it was Halloween night, 'What are you doing for Halloween?' Now, when I said that, I meant my house is not available for trick or treaters," he explained.
The situation stems from a major sinkhole that developed near Cage's $10.5 million mansion earlier this year.
In September, the City of Malibu declared a local emergency after the sinkhole rapidly expanded, prompting authorities to order the evacuation of 31 nearby homes.
Malibu Sinkhole Forces Evacuations and Raises Safety Concerns
City officials expressed serious concerns about the collapse, particularly its impact on emergency vehicle access to the affected neighborhood.
"Emergency personnel access is severely constrained and may be impassable, due to the large portion of the road that has collapsed," the city wrote in its emergency declaration.
"The intact portion of the roadway is too narrow to accommodate emergency response vehicles, including fire engines and other large apparatus, creating a substantial risk to public safety and emergency response capabilities."
Authorities subsequently established a temporary shelter at Malibu High School on Morning View Drive to accommodate residents who had to evacuate their homes.
The sinkhole also reportedly triggered a gas leak near Cage's property, prompting emergency crews to respond.
Although workers eventually secured the leak, officials shut off gas services throughout the affected area as a precaution.
Authorities also warned residents that they could suspend water services if the situation deteriorated further.
The disruption has left Cage staying in hotels while he remains unable to use his Malibu home as normal.
