Nicolas Cage has clarified remarks that led some to believe he was without a home, after a Nicolas Cage sinkhole incident affected his Malibu property. The actor said his earlier comment was made in jest and that he and his family are doing well.
Speaking to the Associated Press on Wednesday, Cage explained that his remarks at a Halloween event were not meant to be taken literally. He said he was “riffing” with an interviewer at Comic Con and that his reference to being homeless was about his house being unavailable for trick-or-treaters, not about his personal circumstances.
“I have to watch my words so much to the letter,” Cage said, according to the AP. “We’re content. We’re fine. We’re not destitute. We’re okay.”
What Happened at Comic Con
The confusion began during last week’s LA Comic Con, where Cage told the audience he was “currently a little bit homeless” because something had happened to his Malibu house, leaving him staying in hotels and unable to enjoy his usual Halloween routine.
The comment drew backlash on social media, with some critics objecting to the actor using the term “homeless” in that context. Cage, 62, later said he had meant only that his property was not available for decorations and candy distribution, an activity he said he enjoys.
The Malibu Property and Coastal Damage
In early September, Cage’s beachfront home was affected by coastal erosion caused by high tides and high surf, according to a statement from the City of Malibu. Five beachfront homes in the area, including Cage’s, were red tagged, and an evacuation order was issued for the affected properties. The coastal emergency also included a gas leak at the back of Cage’s property.
The property, which Cage purchased in 2024, had featured a private rooftop deck and private beach access. After the sinkhole incident, Cage moved quickly to protect the home. He filed three permits within days, including an emergency building permit that allowed him to place sandbags against the beach and the exterior of the house to guard against further erosion and waves. Other approved permits covered asphalt debris removal and excavation to collect soil samples.
Actor Addresses the Backlash
Cage addressed the controversy while attending the Los Angeles premiere of “Madden” on Nov. 4, where he was accompanied by his wife, Riko Shibata. He used the opportunity to set the record straight about his living situation and to stress that his earlier words had been misunderstood.
The actor said he likes to hand out candy to children on Halloween and had simply meant that his damaged home could not serve that purpose this year. His clarification aimed to quiet the social media reaction while acknowledging the seriousness of the damage to his property.
