The driveway of a Malibu coastal mansion owned by Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage has collapsed into a massive sinkhole, triggering a gas leak and prompting authorities to bar residents from five nearby homes. The dramatic incident unfolded just before 6am local time on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, sending utility crews and emergency services rushing to the upscale beachside neighbourhood.
Sinkhole Opens Up at Nicolas Cage's Malibu Property
The collapse tore open the ground directly in front of the mansion, creating a sinkhole large enough to threaten the structural stability of the home. The city of Malibu subsequently banned entry to five properties along the street, issuing an official statement confirming the closures.
The private neighbourhood where the mansion sits is sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the iconic Pacific Coast Highway — a stretch of coastline that has long been vulnerable to erosion and storm surge.
Representatives for Cage did not respond to requests for comment. Property records indicate the home was purchased in 2024, with the prior owner confirming at the time that Cage was the buyer.
Gas Leak Contained, But Street Services Cut
Utility provider SoCalGas confirmed the gas leak that accompanied the collapse was brought under control within several hours. As a precautionary measure linked to ongoing coastal erosion concerns, the utility temporarily suspended natural gas services to a 26-metre section of the street.
The collapse is believed to have been caused or worsened by a Los Angeles-area coastal flooding advisory in effect over the holiday weekend. The conditions were driven by the lingering effects of Tropical Storm Marie, which had previously reached hurricane strength before weakening. While Marie did not make landfall, it generated heavy rain and churned up dangerous surf along the Southern California coastline.
About Nicolas Cage
Cage, 62, is one of Hollywood's most prolific and recognisable performers, having appeared in more than 100 films. He won an Academy Award for his role in Leaving Las Vegas and most recently starred in the Amazon series Spider-Noir. He is also set to portray NFL coaching legend John Madden in a biographical film due for release later this year.
The sinkhole incident adds to a string of property-related disruptions affecting Malibu homeowners in recent years, as coastal erosion and increasingly intense Pacific weather events put pressure on some of California's most sought-after real estate. It also raises broader questions about infrastructure risk in coastal zones — concerns familiar to property owners and businesses alike when development projects face sudden and costly collapses.
