oshua Morrow Opens Up About Devastating Loss After California Wildfires
The wildfires that swept through Southern California in January left countless lives in turmoil, and among those affected were several stars from The Young and the Restless. While actors like Eric Braeden and Melissa Claire Egan lost their homes entirely, Joshua Morrow, who has played Nicholas Newman for over three decades, faced his own harrowing ordeal. Although his house survived, the devastation in his community was immense, making it one of the most challenging experiences of his life.
A Close Call Amidst Destruction
In a recent interview with Woman’s World, Morrow opened up about the emotional rollercoaster his family endured. While his home suffered smoke damage, it remained intact—a stroke of luck that many of his friends and neighbors didn’t have. The Palisades Fire ravaged the area, leaving homes in ruins and forcing thousands to evacuate.
Morrow, his wife Toby, and their four children—Cooper, Crew (who plays Will Spencer on The Bold and the Beautiful), Cash, and Charlie Jo—were left without a permanent residence for over a month. Finding temporary housing was nearly impossible, given the sheer number of displaced families.
“We’re a big family—six people, two dogs, and a turtle. We take up a lot of space, and it wasn’t easy finding somewhere to stay,” Morrow shared. “The stress of not knowing what to do next was overwhelming.”
A Heartbreaking Reality
A few days after evacuating, Morrow and one of his sons returned to their neighborhood to assess the damage. What they found was heartbreaking. Smoldering fires still burned on the hills, and entire homes were reduced to ash. The most devastating part was seeing two of his closest friends lose everything.
He also had the difficult task of breaking the news to his Young and the Restless co-star, Eric Braeden, that his home hadn’t survived the fire. “So many legendary parties were thrown in that backyard. Eric loved that place, and for it to just be gone—it’s impossible to wrap my head around,” he said.
As if the wildfire destruction wasn’t enough, mudslides soon followed, wiping out the roads leading to their home. The Morrow family was faced with a tough decision: attempt to rebuild or start fresh somewhere else. While their house was still standing, the surrounding neighborhood was almost unrecognizable. “It looked like a bomb went off,” Morrow said. “It’ll be rebuilt one day, but it will never be the same.”
Leaving Behind a Lifetime of Memories
What hurts the most, Morrow admitted, is seeing his community suffer. The neighborhood wasn’t just a place to live—it was where his family built their lives. His children grew up playing in the local parks, attending nearby schools, and making lifelong memories in the small businesses that lined the streets.
“The best years of my life were formed there,” he reflected. “And now it’s just been wiped off the face of the earth. All I have left are the memories.”
For now, the Morrows have settled into a new home, where they plan to stay for at least a couple of years. However, whether they will ever return remains uncertain, and that uncertainty weighs heavily on them. Morrow admitted to feeling guilt over leaving behind a place they loved so much, but his priority is ensuring his family’s safety and stability.
A Pillar of Strength
Through it all, Morrow has nothing but praise for his wife, Toby, calling her the backbone of their family during this difficult time. “She shouldered most of this—finding us a new place, keeping us together, making sure we moved forward,” he said. “She runs her own company and is a problem solver. She just gets things done.”
While the immediate nightmare of the wildfire is over, the road ahead remains uncertain for the Morrow family. However, one thing is clear—Morrow’s deep love for his family and community will guide him through whatever comes next.
