Prominent Scientologist Tom Cruise joined the Church of Scientology not long after his father died in 1984. The rapper claims that he was fascinated by this religion from the start and says it took him to look at things rather than to judge. She married Back Hansen in 2004. Leonard Cohen: Going Clear cites Cohen as having passed through one of Scientologys Celebrity Centres, and the song Famous Blue Raincoat contains an apparent reference to the church. [Wiki] [IMDb] [source]. Both his second and third wives joined the religion following their marriage to Cruise. Brad Pitt: According to writer and former Scientologist Amy Scobee, Pitt completed two courses in the early 90s while dating Scientologist Juliette Lewis, but decided that the church wasnt for him. Extremely difficult. She has spoken about the positive impact this religion has had on her life, including benefiting her marriage and helping her to balance her acting career with spending time with her family. The 20 Most Famous Scientology Celebrities Pea was also a drummer in an alt-rock band named Nico Vega. "There were rumors that he was threatening to leave," New Yorker journalist Lawrence Wright added. "As a Scientologist, I have the technology to handle life's problems and I have used this to help others in life as well," he is quoted as saying on the site. She is known for roles in films including Hostel: Part II, Id Rather Eat Glass, Almost Famous, Choke, and The Door in the Floor. She is also known for playing Lucy Carlyle on the series Raising Hope from 2010 to 2013. See Which Stars Have Gotten Engaged in 2023, Taylor Swift Sings About 'Falling Back in Love' on New Duet After Split, Meghan King Wears 'Fk You' Sweatshirt to Kids School, Jim Edmonds Reacts. Getty Images. Elizabeth Moss, known as Peggy Olson on AMC's "Mad Men" praised Scientology in a 2013 interview with ABC News' Peter Travers. One of the most long-standing celebrity Scientologists is Nancy Cartwright, who is best known as the voice of Bart Simpson. According to this Wiki pag e, it's mostly actors. Actress Erika Christensen named Scientology as one of the things that help her stay grounded in Hollywood while appearing on the web show hosted by her "Parenthood" co-star Joy Bryant. When she complained about the break-up, a friend reported her to the church, and she was allegedly forced to clean toilets with a toothbrush as punishment. The smiling, shrink-hating, spy-hiring, motorcycle-riding, and couch-jumping mascot of Scientology, Cruise has been the churchs biggest star since joining at the behest of then-wife Mimi Rogers in 1990. 2023 ABC News Internet Ventures. A prominent member of the Church of Scientology, Alley made her move to That's too bad, because Arenas has so many more entertaining, silly bouts of weirdness we'd rather look back upon. The King of Queens alum went on to host and executive produce an A&E series, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, which won an Emmy Award in 2017. The religion has been a source of controversy, with some claiming it is a cult and others calling it a business. At the same time he addressed three other young athletes from Hesse. Lee, who starred in mid-2000s sitcom My Name Is Earl, is a Scientologist, as is Earl co-star Ethan Suplee. Composer Mark Isham who plays the trumpet and the synthesizer has scored dozens of films from the '80s to present day, from the Oscar-winning documentary The Times of Harvey Milk (1984) to the best picture Oscar winner Crash (2004). That '70s Show and Orange is the New Black actress Laura Prepon is one of the organization's top celebrity members. I've gone a long way since then-I'm just a step short of 'clear.' The, Albert L. Ortega / WireImage / Getty Images, Cartwright the longtime voice of Bart Simpson has been an avid Scientologist for decades. Jeff Conaway co-starred alongside confirmed Scientologist John Travolta inGrease. In their personal lives, celebrities come from all walks of life and have varied personal beliefs. She also says that it gives her focus to see people as spiritual beings. Part of the a360media Entertainment Group. "Each service in Scientology is something I have added to my tool box of data for living," Danny is quoted as saying on the church's website. With Leah Remini's Emmy award-winning FX TV show "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath" drudging up new allegations against the church, its leaders and the celebrity members associated with it, Billboard compiled a list of 25 musicians who are confirmed Scientologists, have been associated with the Church of Scientology or have been alleged to follow Scientology but deny those accusations. Along with Tm Cruise, John Travolta is probably one of the most famous celebrity Scientologists. But more than 60 years after the creation of Project Celebrity, is the religion faring well amongst the famous? Ive studied Chinese meridian theory. In a 2012 interview with Vulturethe musician (born Bek David Campbell) said, "It's just something that I've been around. One of them was in communication, and I learned some things about communication that really got my act going.". Swayze and Whitaker are among many of the Hollywood elites turned Scientology recruits by Travolta. At 52, I abandoned everything, every friend, every family Jerry Seinfeld: I last really studied [Scientology], oh, its almost 30 years agoIn my early years of stand-up, it was very helpful, Seinfeld told Parade in 2008. Whitaker also had a short Scientology dalliance inspired by Travolta, according to Going Clear. The Barbadian-born rapper, beatboxer, and record producer has released five studio albums. Masterson is married to Bijou Phillips, and they have one daughter together. John Travolta and Kelly Preston. Fuck those people! According a Facebook post by guitarist Al Di Meola, Clarke later rejoined "to get on Chick's good side," and a 2012 press release lists Clarke as a member. John Travolta is just one among many celebrities who have been associated with or proudly made it known that they're part of the Church of Scientology. Sign up for Us Weekly's free, daily newsletter and never miss breaking news or exclusive stories about your favorite celebrities, TV shows and more! When asked by Time Magazine in March 2015 if there were misconceptions about her religion Scientology, Lewis said, "I only ever say, when I'm asked about this-my freedom." The Avatar and Saving Private Ryan actor comes from a Scientology-founded family, which he and twin sister Marissa Ribisi still practice. Lesser-Known Celebrity Scientologists And another Scientologist told me that he was delegated to create a black PR packageall the damaging material that they could use against Travolta, which came from his auditing sessions. Perhaps that damaging material contains information regarding the widespread rumor that Travolta is gay. The Church of Scientology has long denied allegations of any wrongdoing under its roof, most recently in June 2019 when an anonymous woman filed a lawsuit for kidnapping, stalking, human trafficking, false imprisonment, libel, slander, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Giovanni Ribisi was born into a family of Scientologists, so he is a lifelong follower of the religion. Like his brother and sister, Danny and Alanna, Christopher Masterson is a Scientologist, and he was brought up in this religion from birth. Over the years, Alley has defended the religion on many occasions. The Church of Scientology has long denied allegations of any wrongdoing under its roof, most recently in June 2019 when an anonymous woman filed a lawsuit for kidnapping, stalking, human trafficking, false imprisonment, libel, slander, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Cruise opened up about his beliefs in a 2006 interview with ABC News' Diane Sawyer saying, "[Scientology gives people] tools to help better your life. People in the United Stateshave freedoms and opportunities that arent easily accessible for people in many other countries, and the idea of, Read More 10 Celebrities Who Have Badmouthed AmericaContinue, 20 Celebrities Who Completely Own Their Bad Teeth, 7 Rock and Rollers who Went from Overweight to Completely Toned, 20 Celebrities You Forgot Posed for Playboy, 20 of Our Favorite Celebrities from Connecticut, 20 of Our Favorite Celebrities from Compton, 10 Celebrities Who Have Badmouthed America, The 20 Best Celebrity Mental Health Advocates, 20 Female Celebrities Who Had Children in Their 40s, 20 Child Celebrities Who Tragically Died too Young. There have been many successful actors and actresses that have proved that, Read More 20 Celebrities Who Completely Own Their Bad TeethContinue, Sometimes the entertainment industry is just as much about looks as it is about talent especially for high energy rock and rollers. Two years later, she drew fire for using the Bart voice in a Scientology-promoting robocall, which is just as unsettling as it sounds. He was later identified as a Scientologist in "The Apostate," Lawrence Wright's New Yorker article that transformed to become Going Clear, HBO's documentary sharing chilling secrets about the organization's practices. In Oct. 2016, Pea toldThe Guardianthat Scientology (he joined in 2000) program Study Tech "made me a better actor because I felt like it helped my understanding of scripts.. This gallery was originally published in December 2015 and has since been continually updated. To be clear, the late Leonard Cohen was not a practicing Scientologist. After the couple divorced in 1990, Cruise walked down the aisle twice more, withNicole Kidman in 1990 and Katie Holmes in 2006. Celebrities You Didn't Realize Were Scientologists I took a couple of courses. Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with Bring Me! The group released three albums before breaking up. Coincidentally, the first person Favre did an on-air interview with was Greta Van Susteren a practicing Scientologist. Independent Scientologist & Former Sea Org Member Email: warrior_mike2001@yahoo.com Facebook: Michael Hobson I'm not hiding my identity from anyone Also, I am not a trained or qualified lawyer. The celebrities who have taken a couple courses or done some studying on Scientology, but are not actually members of the church. Late singer Bono's relationship with the church began in the 1970s "because Cher wanted him to go," his assistant told the New York Post in 1999. Jane star started taking Scientology courses in 1994, but he left the church in 2008, calling it very, very dangerous for your spiritual, psychological, mental, emotional health and evolution., Credit: Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images. Beck is a second-generation Scientologists as both his parents are involved in the organization. He is also known for his roles in television series including My Name Is Earl, Friends, The Wonder Years, and Sneaky Pete. Ribisi was married to actress Mariah OBrien from 1997 until 2001, and they have one daughter, Lucia, together. In 1982, Corea contributed to Space Jazz: The Soundtrack of the Book Battlefield Earth, the companion album to Hubbard's 1982 book Battlefield Earth. "It is obvious what would happen to Scientology if prime communicators benefitting from it would mention it now and then," he told followers. Actress Alanna Masterson is the sister of fellow actors and Scientologists Christian and Danny Masterson. Brodie continued to practice Scientology for the next the next 11 years and was one of the first celebrity members to reach OTVII, one of the highest levels of Scientology Ive always been very open-minded, even since I was a child. Dun..dun..dun Sports News Without Fear, Favor or Compromise. Doug E. Fresh became a Scientologist during the 1980s. "I am no longer stuck in the bottomless pit of despair and apathy," she said on the church's site. Stephen Boyd: Ben-Hur actor Boyd, who died in 1977, was an OT IV, according to George Malkos book Scientology: The Now Religion. And what, you might ask, is Scientology? Tom Cruise. Scientology According to ABC News, one of the most famous Scientology celebrities is Tom Cruise. No athletes listed. His former girlfriend, radio personality Miss Jones, was working with the late Isaac Hayes, who was also a Scientologist. At the time, she said it's her "duty to clear the planet," by helping people get rid of negative thoughts and emotions. But how would the public react if they find out that, say, Tom Brady's remarkable comeback was partially from aggressive rehabilitation, but also helped along by a thorough self-auditing? The musical icon's widow Mary Bono told the Post that her husband "did try to break away [from the church] at one point" in the early '90s, "and they made it very difficult for him.". I was raised Catholic and Jewish. Scroll down to see more celebrity Scientologists and stars who have left the church. It is obvious what would happen to Scientology if prime communicators benefitting from it would mention it now and then. Sixty years later, was Project Celebrity a success? Frank Stallone: Watch Slys brother belt out The Evil Purpose and Road to Freedom, two songs penned by Hubbard, live in concert right here. Image via AP. The end is nigh for the Clippers Kawhi & PG era | Keep it a Buck(et), Who asked for a Charles Barkley & Gayle King CNN show? 8 JackHarlow. "It means that you have gotten rid of all the things that would create aberrated behavior in you that you didn't want. Hubbard wrote a newsletter announcing the plan and included a list of 63 names of well-known people as "game" for Scientology auditors, asking them to target the personalities and bring them into the church. The actor is married to Lauren Kutner, with whom he has four children. She still wishes Brad and Jen were still together. [Wiki] [IMDb] [source], Judy Norton-Taylor [Wiki] [IMDb] [source]. Theres no way Ill ever get involved with that son-of-a-bitchin group. Archer remarried in 1979 and had a second son five years later.