Dennis Quaid Discusses His Decision to Leave Los Angeles

Dennis Quaid has shared that his choice to leave Los Angeles was a gradual one. In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, the actor expressed his growing frustration with the city’s transformation over the years, noting that many residents share similar sentiments.

Quaid relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2020 with his wife, Lauren Savoie. After decades in Los Angeles, he reflected that the city no longer resembled the vibrant place he once cherished.

During his interview at CMA Fest, Quaid reminisced about Los Angeles in the 1990s and articulated his belief that the city has seen a decline since that time.

“It used to be such a great town and the ’90s was nice. And then it’s been kind of going downhill and I feel like people pay these taxes for no services is what it gets down to,” he remarked.

He also highlighted the California wildfires in early 2025 as a pivotal moment that revealed deeper issues within the city. “And then fire happens and it kind of exposes all those things that go on that should be taken care of,” he added.

Quaid noted that many residents appear to be weary and disheartened. “People are angry and half angry, and they’re half kind of feel like giving up, to tell you the truth.”

He emphasized that he is not alone in his departure from Los Angeles. “I’m just one of thousands who have left, and I don’t know, I hope the town comes back. I really do. It used to be such a fantastic town. It was. It was a great community, too. And something’s happened. People need to be inspired there.”

Despite moving to Nashville, he still maintains a residence in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. In January 2025, he had to evacuate due to the wildfires that devastated thousands of structures and resulted in numerous fatalities.

Following the fires, Quaid became a vocal critic of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and the city’s emergency response. According to Fox News Digital, he expressed dissatisfaction with city leadership regarding preparedness, water shortages, and budget cuts to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

He participated in protests related to the wildfire response and publicly supported calls for Bass to resign.

When discussing the Los Angeles mayoral race, Quaid expressed his support for reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who ran as an Independent in the city’s nonpartisan primary. “I hope Pratt wins.” Quaid had previously endorsed Pratt’s campaign in another interview with Fox News Digital, stating:

“Why? What are you talking about? Why? Just look around, man.”

Pratt has also criticized the city’s handling of the fires after losing his own home in the disaster.

Quaid said that Nashville’s music scene was a significant factor in his decision to move. In addition to acting, he has pursued music for years with his band, Dennis Quaid & The Sharks.

He has released albums that blend rock, country, and gospel influences, including his 2023 gospel record Fallen: A Gospel Record for Sinners.

At CMA Fest, Quaid appeared alongside country singer Tanya Tucker to discuss their collaboration on the song “On My Way to Heaven,” which also features the late Kris Kristofferson and Brandi Carlile.

Quaid described Kristofferson as one of his lifelong heroes and mentioned that working on the song was a significant personal moment for him. He also shared the deeper meaning behind “On My Way to Heaven,” explaining that he wrote the song after leaving rehab in the early 1990s and reconnecting with his faith. “It was right after I got out of what I call ‘cocaine school’ — rehab. And it was a song that I wrote that night.”

He emphasized that rereading religious texts and fostering a personal relationship with Jesus were crucial during that period of his life.

Despite his criticisms, Quaid made it clear that he has not completely lost hope for Los Angeles. He expressed a desire for the city to recover and regain its former sense of community.

For now, however, Nashville has become his primary residence, and he appears to feel more at home there than in the city he left behind.

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