Steve Carell Surprises Students In Fire Areas With Free Prom Tickets

LOS ANGELES, CA — High school kids who lost so much in the Eaton Fire awoke to another shock this week: actor Steve Carell wanted them to know their prom tickets would be covered this year.

The "Office" actor took to social media to tell students from six high schools affected by the wildfire that prom would be free this year thanks to the charity Alice's Kids.

"Attention all seniors! This is Steve Carell with a very special announcement. I work with a wonderful charity based out of Virginia called Alice's Kids, and Alice's Kids wanted me to let you know that they would be paying for all of your prom tickets," he said on Instagram and X. "If you have already paid for your prom tickets, they will reimburse you for your prom tickets. It’s a pretty good deal. Have fun. Enjoy the prom."

"And remember," the “Office” and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" actor added with a smirk. "This is Steve Carrell."

The Los Angeles area fires destroyed more than 16,000 homes, businesses and other structures and killed at least 29 people in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and Altadena area north of Pasadena. It also scorched school campuses, upending the lives of thousands of students and parents who were left scrambling looking for classrooms for their kids to go to.

Alice's Kids will donate about $175,000 for more than 800 students to attend the annual right-of-passage dance for graduating students. Tickets typically range from $100 to $150 each.

“Today, about 800 seniors at six high schools in Altadena will see this message from our friend, Steve Carell. He’s delivering the news that we are paying for their prom tickets!” the charit said on X.

“Going to prom should be a celebration, and we wanted to help make the big night just a little easier for seniors whose lives have been turned upside down by the wildfires,” Ron Fitzsimmons, executive director of Alice’s Kids, said in a statement. “Hopefully this allows the students to unwind and have some fun after a devastating year.”

An Instagram video posted by John Muir High School, one of the recipient schools, show students clapping and cheering as they were surprised with Carell's announcement during a school assembly.

Another recipient includes Aveson Charter School, whose campus for kindergarten through 5th grade students burned down in the fires and building for sixth through 12th graders is damaged and unusable.

Carell also participated in the star-studded “Skate for LA Strong” hockey tournament last week to raise money for fire relief.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.