Sykes, who was born blind and with cerebral palsy, but overcame many challenges with surgeries and therapies, is among the 16 fatal victims left so far by the fires.
As a child, Rory was known for his role in the British television program of the 90s “Kiddy Kapers” and was an inspiration to many for his determination and positive attitude towards life.
He also starred on the Australian television show Mornings with Kerri-Anne in 2003.
Rory was also a philanthropist and professional speaker and consultant for companies including the Tony Robbins Foundation and the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, and co-funded Happy Charity.
“It is with great sadness that I have to announce the passing of my beautiful son @Rorysykes in the Malibu fires yesterday (January 8). I am totally heartbroken,” wrote Rory’s mother, author Shelley Sykes, via X.
“He was a UK-born Australian living in the US, a wonderful son, a gift born on my and his grandmother’s birthday on July 29, 1992,” she said.
Since Tuesday, when the initial wildfire broke out in Pacific Palisades before spreading to parts of Malibu and Santa Monica, thousands of rescuers in Los Angeles have tried to contain the fire, fanned by Santa Ana winds that, combined with drought conditions, unleashed the hell that have become parts of California.
The images are gruesome, emblematic sites from the history of film and television were lost or badly damaged, such as the Palisades Charter High School, which served as the setting for the 1976 adaptation of ‘Carrie’ by director Brian De Palma, or Will Rogers’ ranch house, built in the 1920s, where ‘Funny Lady’ (1975), starring Barbra Streisand and James Caan, was filmed.
Among the celebrities mourning losses are actors Billy Crystal, Jeff Bridges (also a musician) and Adam Brody; Actress and singer Paris Hilton, R&B star Jhené Aiko, British director Anthony Hopkins who played Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs (1991), as well as singers Heidi Montag and Leighton Meester, were among the attendees.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said Sunday that the threat of fire remains high and asked residents to be patient due to power outages.
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