Australian actress Rebel Wilson received a chilling phone call from her family Down Under on Monday (15Dec14) as both her sisters work close to the cafe in Sydney where a gunman seized 17 hostages.

The Bridesmaids star was in London preparing for the U.K. premiere of her latest movie Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb when the drama unfolded in her hometown, with armed police locking down the streets around the Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Martin Place.

Wilson admits she was unaware of what was going on in Sydney until she received a phone call from a family member, and she was relieved to find out both her sisters, who work close to the location of the bloody shootout, were safe.

She tells News.com.au, "I just turned the television on for 10 minutes this morning after I got a call from my family because both my sisters work there across the Martin Place area. They just said 'Have you heard' And I said 'No' Then turned the Tv on for 10 minutes to see what was happening, geez it was terrible."

Two hostages died along with the gunman as armed police officers staged a rescue attempt to free those who were being held inside the cafe, and the events sent a shockwave through Hollywood with a number of stars sending their condolences to the victims.

Russell Crowe, who has lived in Sydney since he was a child, wrote in a post on Twitter.com, "Sending love Sydney... My thoughts go out to the hostages and their families, and to the police and emergency services personnel..."

Australian actor Hugh Jackman adds, "The events that have happened in my hometown - Sydney, Australia. Both shocking and tragic. Prayers For All."

New Zealand actor Sam Neill writes, "Sorrow. Calm. Reason. Compassion. Solidarity. Tolerance. Peace. #Sydneysiege..."

Messages also flooded in from pop star Cody Simpson, actress Rachael Taylor, singer Boy George, One Direction's Harry Styles, rocker Richie Sambora and Aussie Teresa Palmer.