Roof Mishap at Chateau Marmont Alarms Celebrity Guests, Including Sacha Baron Cohen

A dramatic scene unfolded at the star-studded Chateau Marmont on Saturday when strong winds caused parts of the roof to collapse into the outdoor dining area, prompting guests to seek shelter.

Among the surprised diners was “Borat” actor Sacha Baron Cohen, who witnessed a slate and a significant piece of gutter crashing down during brunch at the upscale Los Angeles establishment.

In a swift reaction, one woman stood up and held onto the gutter to prevent it from falling on her companion, while others turned their heads toward the loud crash.

Restaurant staff acted promptly, guiding diners away from the affected area and securing tables near the building with caution tape.

The incident occurred during a tumultuous brunch at the 97-year-old celebrity hotspot, where glassware was shattered behind the bar, and emergency helicopters hovered overhead due to a nearby hillside fire.

“It was bedlam. Pieces of the roof started to fall, and we all hurried to finish our meals and leave,” a witness recounted to the Post.

“The waiters looked shocked and didn’t really know what to do, but quickly moved a table away from the building after the gutter almost hit her.”

Halfway through morning brunch, a slate fell off the roof and landed just feet away from the table of three before staff rushed over to investigate.

Around five minutes later a huge crash was heard as an 8-foot piece of guttering slammed down on top of a heater and had to be held up by a guest.

Staff raced over to the table and grabbed the metal pipe, quickly moved diners to a free table in the courtyard area.

One worker could be heard muttering: “What the f—k is happening?”

The Post contacted the Chateau Marmont for comment.

Baron Cohen, who was sitting around 20 feet away from the commotion on his own and wearing a flat blue flat cap, looked up and watched on in horror before returning to his phone.

To add to the chaos, later in the day a bartender accidentally swiped a number of glasses off the counter, creating a huge crash.

Throughout service witnesses said helicopters could be heard buzzing overhead and fire engines sped past as a blaze broke out on the hillside above the hotel.

Plumes of smoke could be seen rising above the Trousdale Estates throughout the morning as crews worked to contain the flames.

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Chateau Marmont has become one of the most popular hangouts for LA’s celebrity elite, with Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Jacob Elordi and Sydney Sweeney often spotted there.

But it has gained a reputation for being as one reviewer branded it “perfectly imperfect,” amid complaints about repairs to plumbing, heating and cracked tiles in the pool and restaurant.

The hotspot has a history of secrecy surrounding its famous guests, with them trusting it as a place they can party without sparking headlines.

People secretly had affairs, took drugs and licked wounds from botched relationships at the inn. They also broke societal barriers.

In 2004, fashion photographer Helmut Newton died after losing control of his car while pulling out of the Chateau’s driveway.

That same year, rumors flew that actors Benicio del Toro and Scarlett Johansson had hooked up in a hotel elevator after the Oscars. More recently, stars have been kicked out of the Chateau for their bad behavior.

After winning at the Screen Actors Guild awards in 2006, Heath Ledger was surreptitiously filmed using cocaine on the hotel’s front balcony. The actor died of an overdose two years later.

Britney Spears reportedly was banned in 2007 for boorish table manners, while Lindsay Lohan was booted in 2012 after not paying her $46,000 tab.

In 2019, Jay-Z and Beyoncé threw an Oscars bash in the Chateau’s garage redone to resemble a luxe lounge.

Revelers such as Jamie Foxx, Rihanna and Leonardo DiCaprio feasted on caviar and swigged Ace of Spades champagne.

The hotel has been immortalized in numerous songs, including Lana Del Rey’s “Off to the Races”, films, such as “La La Land” and books, “The Big Nowhere” by James Ellroy.

Built in 1929, the Chateau was modeled on an actual castle in France’s Loire Valley, the Chateau D’Amboise, a onetime home of Mary, Queen of Scots.

It was originally an apartment building but, by the 1950s, had evolved into a hotel that functioned as what Levy called “an open city. It was Casablanca.”

The Post has asked the Chateau for comment on Saturday’s incident.