A massive sinkhole has opened outside Nicolas Cage’s Malibu mansion after part of the beachfront property’s driveway collapsed during a period of powerful surf and coastal erosion.
The collapse occurred at about 5.45am on Tuesday, 8 September, on Sea Level Drive in western Malibu. Los Angeles County firefighters and sheriff’s deputies had been called to reports of a suspected gas main break when they found the driveway had fallen away.
Images from the scene showed a deep crater measuring roughly 30ft by 30ft, swallowing much of the driveway, part of the private road and a portable toilet. Orange cones were placed around the damaged area while utility and building-safety crews inspected the site.
The City of Malibu said Southern California Gas Company workers were dealing with the leak and that the private road had been closed. Five nearby homes were red-tagged, meaning entry was prohibited while officials assessed the risk to the surrounding properties. ([malibucity.org](https://malibucity.org/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/2151?utm_source=openai))
SoCalGas later said the leak had been brought under control and that natural gas service was temporarily shut off along an 85ft stretch of the road as a precaution, according to The Associated Press. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/2bd3a67b83f46e79d0b78b5d462fb7fa?utm_source=openai))
The sinkhole is believed to have been caused by coastal erosion, with waves battering the shoreline beneath the homes. Malibu officials had warned of dangerous beach conditions, strong surf and erosion linked to Tropical Storm Marie in the days before the collapse. ([malibucity.org](https://www.malibucity.org/alertcenter.aspx?AID=3680&utm_source=openai))
No injuries were reported. Television reporter Rich Prickett, speaking to KTLA from a helicopter, said the property appeared to be unoccupied and possibly undergoing renovation.
“Substantial damage done to this home, or at least the driveway to this home here in Malibu,” he said. “It doesn’t appear that anybody was home.”
Cage bought the oceanfront residence for $10.5 million in 2024, according to property records. The home, built in the 1990s, includes a rooftop deck with a jacuzzi, extensive glass walls, a chef’s kitchen, a garage with lift access and a private route to the beach.
The property had previously belonged to the family of the late Jose Liberman, co-founder of Liberman Broadcasting. His son Lenard Liberman described it as his father’s “happy place” when speaking to The New York Times after the sale.
The Oscar-winning actor, 62, is known for films including Moonstruck, Raising Arizona, Gone in 60 Seconds and National Treasure. A representative for Cage had not publicly commented on the damage.
