**Robert Hays Reflects on Overcoming Loss and New Beginnings Ahead of ‘Airplane!’ Live Tour**
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This autumn, celebrated actor Robert Hays is gearing up to be part of the live tour for the cult classic film ‘Airplane!’. In a candid interview, he opened up about the profound challenges he faced after losing his Malibu home in the catastrophic 2018 wildfires, a loss that prompted a significant shift in his life.
Hays, now 79, shared the harrowing experience of narrowly escaping the blaze. On the fateful night of 9 November 2018, he awoke to the urgent calls of evacuating authorities. “I lost everything in it,” he remarked, reflecting on the tremendous devastation he experienced. In a moment of surreal humour, he recalled his hasty escape: “I got out with my cargo shorts.”
The horrific ordeal began in the early hours when Hays heard the evacuation orders being broadcast. “I was startled awake at 2:15 AM,” he said. In an amusing anecdote, he mentioned how his fondness for ‘The Simpsons’ provided a touch of levity amid the chaos. “Homer’s voice was in my head,” he laughed, recalling his thoughts about the practicality of cargo shorts – “Good, more pockets.”
Rushing to gather a few essentials, Hays managed to grab a Hawaiian shirt, a hoodie, and his laptop. However, he did not anticipate that he would be leaving his home forever. “I thought we’d be right back,” he recalled, but what awaited him was an empty landscape of charred ruins. “It was just a charred pile of ash,” he described sorrowfully.
In the immediate aftermath, Hays and his then-girlfriend, now wife, Gina, turned to temporary accommodation, staying in various Airbnbs as they contemplated their next steps. “We’d gone to a couple of different places in Venice, real charming little places,” he said. Despite the beauty of their surroundings, the couple soon realised they were ready for a change.
“We could do this in Hawaii,” he suggested, a sentiment that Gina quickly embraced. Hays reminisced about the moment when Gina took the initiative to inquire about flight reservations. “Just out of curiosity, just so I can have something to put in, what would you say as a return date?” she asked. Hays’ humorous response encapsulated his determination to move forward: “A one-way ticket is called a one-way ticket for a reason.”
Thus, they boarded a flight to Hawaii with Gina’s two chihuahuas in tow, marking a new chapter in their lives. “And that was five-and-a-half years ago,” he revealed, alluding to the fresh start they had found on the islands.
Robert Hays is perhaps best known for his role in the 1980 comedy ‘Airplane!’, which marked his film debut and catapulted him to fame. Since then, he has enjoyed a versatile career, featuring in numerous films and television series, including the beloved 1993 feature ‘Homeward Bound’.
With the upcoming ‘Airplane!’ live tour, Hays anticipates reuniting with fans and sharing his insights from the film. This event will not only showcase the movie on the big screen but will also include a live Q&A session with Hays and his co-star Julie Hagerty. Together, they will share anecdotes from their time filming the iconic comedy, providing a rare glimpse behind the curtain for devoted fans.
As he prepares for this nostalgic journey, Hays reflects on the resilience he has demonstrated throughout his life. After facing devastating loss, he has embraced new experiences with gusto. The live tour promises not only to celebrate the film’s enduring legacy but also serves as a testament to Hays’ ability to move forward, inspiring others through his story of recovery and new beginnings.
Fans of ‘Airplane!’ can look forward to an unforgettable event filled with laughter, nostalgia, and heartfelt memories this autumn. Hays’ journey from the ashes of loss to the bright skies of Hawaii is a powerful reminder of hope and the potential for renewal, even in the face of life’s harshest challenges.