Peter Facinelli ‘could never’ say no to ex-wife Jennie Garth after he took her in during LA fires: ‘I love her’
Bonded for life.
Peter Facinelli got candid about opening his door to his ex-wife Jennie Garth and her husband Dave Abrams when they found refuge at his home after evacuating due to the deadly Los Angeles wildfires.
The “Twilight” actor, 51, and the “Beverly Hills, 90210” alum, 52, married in January 2001 and share three daughters — Luca, 27, Lola, 21, and Fiona, 18. Facinelli filed for divorce in March 2012 after 11 years of marriage, but he explained that she’s still an important person in his life.
In an interview with E! News, he said that when his ex-wife needed help, he didn’t hesitate to offer assistance.
“When people are going through hard times, my door is always open,” Facinelli told the outlet. “So, as much as it’s flattering for someone to say, ‘Hey, it was really noble of you to take your ex-wife and husband,’ I mean, I could never imagine saying no.”
The “Nurse Jackie” actor also shared that he’s tight with Garth and her husband.
“I love her,” he explained. “She’s the mother of my kids. I consider her a friend. I consider her husband a friend.”
Facinelli admitted he actually liked having his ex-wife and her significant other in his home.
“It was actually kind of nice to be able to go through an experience and have that support of this blended family being together,” Facinelli, who’s engaged to actress Lily Anne Harrison, 35, said.
He added that they bonded during the tragedy.
“It was like, ‘You guys could stay as long as you like.’ We all kind of were in the same boat watching thousands of houses burn down, which was such a tragic loss for so many people,” Facinelli continued.
Garth and Abrams fled their home amid the Palisades and Eaton fires, which collectively burned more than 37,000 acres and took the lives of at least 29 people.
Unlike thousands of LA residents and A-list stars, Garth’s home survived the blaze that threatened their property.
She shared that her ex took them in after they evacuated in an emotional Instagram video on January 9.
“I wanted to let you know that we are safe,” Garth said in the clip. “Peter and his family took us in and have been so kind.”
“[I] am deeply saddened for our city. and just feel numb,” Garth continued. “[O]ur home was spared but so much to clean up and ready to get active to help our neighbors and friends and fellow Angelinos [sic].”
Wiping away tears while reflecting on those who lost everything during the then-active infernos, the “What I Like About You” star made sure to thank her ex-husband for taking them in, saying she was “so grateful for Peter for letting us stay at his house. Me and all the girls and the dogs and Dave.”
Damages from the blazes are already estimated to range between $52 billion and $57 billion, making these fires the costliest in Los Angeles history.
Many who lost their homes in the Palisades Fire are suing the city of LA and the LA Department of Water and Power for damages, including “The Hills” stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, whose $3 million property burned down in the blaze, claiming that the lack of water supply is largely responsible for their damages.