Aerial photos reveal extent of damage to Nicolas Cage's $10.5M Malibu mansion after massive sinkhole
Fresh aerial photographs reveal the significant damage inflicted on Nicolas Cage's Malibu beachfront property after a massive sinkhole opened up three weeks ago, transforming the luxury estate into a construction zone sectioned off from surrounding streets.
The sinkhole, measuring approximately 30 by 60 feet and about 25 feet deep, swallowed Cage's driveway, a fence, a portable restroom, and a portion of the adjacent roadway on Sea Level Drive. The collapse also ruptured a gas main, forcing SoCalGas to shut off natural gas services for an 85-foot section of the street.
Hurricane Marie triggers coastal disaster
The disaster was triggered by coastal erosion exacerbated by Hurricane Marie, which brought 10-foot waves and high tides to the Southern California coast before weakening from hurricane to tropical storm status. The powerful surf battered the coastline, destabilizing the ground beneath the multi-million dollar properties.
Firefighters discovered the collapsed driveway earlier this month while responding to a suspected gas main break. Malibu officials declared a local emergency on September 8, 2026, issuing evacuation orders for affected properties along Sea Level Drive. Five neighboring homes were red-tagged as the sinkhole expanded and restricted access for residents and emergency services.
Extensive property damage visible
The property, which Cage purchased for $10.5 million in 2024, now bears little resemblance to the pristine oceanfront mansion it once was. Recent images show the home's tiled patio has been removed, with only remnants of the surface remaining. Dirt-covered planks that appear to be part of the patio's foundation are now visible along the exposed bluff, though it remains unclear whether this removal was a response to the damage or part of pre-existing renovation plans.
Property's history and features
The estate was built in the 1990s by José Liberman, who co-founded Liberman Broadcasting with his son Lenard in 1987. The father-son duo built a Spanish-language media empire spanning radio and television stations across Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, and San Diego. The company was later rebranded as Estrella Media.
Lenard Liberman told The New York Times in 2024 that the Malibu property was his father's "happy place" where the family would gather on weekends. After José Liberman passed away, his widow found it too difficult to visit the home due to the memories it held, prompting the family to sell.
The residence boasts access to an isolated beach, a chef's kitchen, a rooftop deck with jacuzzi, soaring glass walls, multiple bedrooms, and a garage with elevator access. At $10.5 million, Cage's purchase price was consistent with the median sale price for Malibu beachfront properties, which hovers around $10 million, with the overall median home value in the area at approximately $3.2 million.
Growing concerns about coastal erosion
The incident highlights growing concerns about coastal erosion along the Southern California coastline. Studies predict that between 24 and 75 percent of Southern California beaches could completely erode back to coastal infrastructure or sea cliffs by 2100 without human intervention, making oceanfront properties increasingly vulnerable to such catastrophic events.
About Nicolas Cage
Cage, 62, is an Oscar-winning actor and member of a Hollywood dynasty. Born Nicolas Kim Coppola, he is the son of late academic and author August Coppola and nephew of filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola and actress Talia Shire. His cousins include filmmaker Sofia Coppola and actor Jason Schwartzman. His grandparents were composer Carmine Coppola and Italia Coppola, both of whom appeared in the Godfather films.
Over his decades-long career, Cage has starred in films including Moonstruck, Raising Arizona, Gone in 60 Seconds, and the National Treasure franchise, earning an Academy Award for his performance in Leaving Las Vegas.
Last year, Cage legally changed his name to "Nick Cage," a moniker inspired by Marvel character Luke Cage.
"I am Nick Cage. I changed my name legally last year. 'Tis better to be the patriarch of my own little family than the clown cousin on the margins of someone else's, so I decided I'm going to bring it on and be 'Cage.'"
He explained that he kept "Nicolas" because his father had named him, despite the French spelling that has always frustrated him.
"I was looking for something like 'James Dean'; I was looking for something short and sweet,"
Cage said.
In 2021, Cage married his fifth wife, Riko Shibata, now 31. The couple welcomed daughter August Francesca in 2022. He also has sons Kal-El, 20, with ex-wife Kim, and Weston, 35, with ex-girlfriend Christina Fulton.
