As for the show's other cast members, recurring guest Giovanni Ribisi is a Scientologist, as is Juliette Lewis, who appeared in one episode. Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard developed the organization's "Project Celebrity" in 1955 to recruit famous figures including Ed Sullivan, Bing Crosby and Ernest Hemingway to join the religious group. Maybe it was psychosomatic-a 'service facsimile' that I called up from the past to justify my failure or, in fact, to set up another failure and another gratifying session of self-pity. Patrick Swayze: The late actor is also among those who Travolta briefly introduced to the church. According to the book Elvis Aaron Presley: Revelations From the Memphis Mafia, he met with Scientologists in Hollywood and left shouting obscenities about the members. Our definition of celebrity is relatively broad: youll find actors, mostly, but also a handful of musicians, screenwriters, directors, businesspeople. Lewis, a musician and award-winning actress in Cape Fear (1991) is a longtime member of the church and vocal supporter of Cruise's outburst criticizing pharmaceutical companies. Charles Manson: According to Manson biographer Jeff Guinn as excerpted in LA Weekly, while in prison, Charlie adopted those aspects of Hubbards teachings that lent themselves to manipulating others. "And another Scientologist told me that he was delegated to create a 'black PR' package all the damaging material that they could use against Travolta, which came from his auditing sessions.". US residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data. She has since said it has become a meaningful part of her life. Both his second and third wives joined the religion following their marriage to Cruise. The group released three albums before breaking up. Stanley Clarke [Wiki] [source] It is widely rumored that the seminal jazz fusion group Return to Forever broke up because bandleader and devout Scientologist Chick Corea was dismayed that Stanley Clarke had left the church. The daughter of the late Elvis Presley had been a member since she was a child, but she announced in 2012 that she was stepping away. Jenna Elfman of "Dharma and Greg" fame said in a January 2005 issue of Scientology's magazine, Celebrity, "I intend to make Scientology as accessible to as many people as I can." Image via AP. The state is also the birthplace of many, Read More 20 of Our Favorite Celebrities from ConnecticutContinue, Compton is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California. Well keep rolling updates as celebrities join, defect, or go public with their affiliation. Make your patio the place to beThis 7-piece outdoor sectional furniture set is marked down from $900 to $600 on Amazon right now. We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing. The actress, who was once included on the church's website's list Masterson grew up in Scientology and took a deep dive into his "religious philosophy" withPaper Magazinein Feb. 2015. Nicole Kidman: Kidman, too, terminated all Scientology affiliation when she divorced Cruise. Remini published a memoir titled Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology in 2015, in which she was highly critical of the churchs practices. Cruise's involvement in the church was reportedly one of the main reasons his second and third wives,Kidman andHolmes, respectively, filed for divorce. Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. He became involved with the movement which was formed in 1953 and is headquartered in Riverside County, California through his first wife, Mimi Rogers. Danny's younger brother Chris, who starred in Malcolm in the Middle and Scary Movie 2, is also a celebrity member of the church. Part of the a360media Entertainment Group. Hollywood is made up of people from different backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation and religion. The following appeared in a 2007 piece run byThe Telegraph: "It seems to have been religion that helped Khan recover from her addictions. Tom Constanten played keyboards with the Grateful Dead form 1968-1970, a period which found him involved in Scientology. However, after her split with Cruise, Rogers, Suplee is married to Juliette Lewis's sister, Brandy Lewis, and was one of several people involved in. She left the organization in 2013 and subsequently launched a campaign to expose its alleged wrongdoings. All Rights Reserved. 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 All rights reserved. Dun..dun..dun Sports News Without Fear, Favor or Compromise. Mikhail Baryshnikov: Travolta introduced the dancer to the church, according to Lawrence Wrights Going Clear, but Baryshnikov didnt stick with it. The actor claims that Scientology has given him confidence and certainty, so he can work towards his goals and communicate well with anyone. And in Hollywood, that's more stable than being a hunk of meat.". Prepon is known for her roles in films such as Come Early Morning, Lay the Favorite, The Hero, and The Girl on the Train.. WebRecruiting and retaining Scientologist celebrities and getting them to endorse Scientology to the public at large has been important to the Church of Scientology since its early days. Not long after, Hayes who died in 2008 was released from his contract with South Park, where he voiced the character "Chef.". When asked about it, he, Ron Galella, Ltd. / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images, Warner Bros / Courtesy Everett Collection, Handout / Church of Scientology / Getty Images, Rogers' father was a friend of L. Ron Hubbard's, so she joined Scientology at an early age. In the same Post article, Sonnys widow Mary Bono said that Sonny did try to break away [from the church] at one point, in the early 90s, and they made it very difficult for him.. She left the organization in 2013 and subsequently launched a campaign to expose its alleged wrongdoings. Kirstie Alley is listed by Ranker as a celebrity follower of Scientology. ET. 16 Giovanni Ribisi An actor whose name a lot of people wont be able to bring to mind when they come across him but will know that theyve seen him somewhere in the past, Giovanni Ribisi is a very talented performer. Moss has admitted to her affiliation with Scientology, but has kept brief when asked about her religious beliefs on press tours for her latest award-winning role in Hulu's adaptation of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. Leah Remini isn't the only celeb who got outta there. In the 1950s, founder L. Ron Hubbard created what became known as Project Celebrity, a written program that offers rewards to Scientologists who bring in some of the biggest names in Hollywood. The Handmaids Tale star has faced criticism for following this religion, including people comparing the religion to the controlling government in the series in which she stars. Also in 2001 was Kidman's musical role inMoulin Rouge! Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard developed the organization's 'Project Celebrity' in 1955 to [], By Kelsey Patterson The Parenthood and Traffic actress has openly spoken about her affiliation with Scientology over the years. But the man from the record label tells me she doesn't want to discuss her beliefs. Phillips is an actress, model, and singer. "It's a beautiful thing for me and I've saved lives with it. This is controversial considering actress and former metal rockstress (and, yes, wife to Will) Jada Pinkett Smith vehemently denied allegations that she practiced Scientology Sept. 19. Former That 70s Show star Danny Masterson is another actor who has defended Scientology and has explained that it is simply a recognition of the two parts of your mind. Yes! "To tell you the honest-to-God truth: without Scientology, I would be dead," she once said. Actress Catherine Bell poses for photos during the 38th Anniversary Gala held at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International, during August 2007, in Los Angeles. But who else? "It is obvious what would happen to Scientology if prime communicators benefitting from it would mention it now and then," he told followers. John Travolta credited Scientology with saving his life and helping him save the lives of others in a 2015 interview with ABC News' Amy Robach. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google, It seems to have been religion that helped Khan recover from her addictions. "It's almost a safety precaution when you're an actor, because some people can be traumatized by characters, and I don't have to worry about that. When most people think about the most famous actors, musicians, or athletes,, Read More 7 Rock and Rollers who Went from Overweight to Completely TonedContinue, In 1953 a man named Hugh Hefner published a unique mens magazine: Playboy. The actor, known for his role in Veronica Mars, believes that the misconceptions about Scientology come from people not learning about the religion and basing their opinions on the false beliefs of others. Peaches Geldof: The late daughter of rock-star/activist Bob Geldof went public with her Scientology membership shortly after Gawker posted one mans account of a heroin-fueled one-night stand with Geldof that ended at Scientologys Hollywood Celebrity Centre. San Francisco 49er quarterback John Brodie, who was featured in an SI cover story in 1971, was a practicing Scientologist for 12 years, yet there haven't been anymore popular athletes that have come forward since then. One of them was in communication, and I learned some things about communication that really got my act going.". Frank Stallone is the younger brother of iconic actor Sylvester Stallone. Though his fellow actors may have been introduced to the church, they never adopted the practices as full-fledged members. It was reported in 1999 via Bono's widow, former U.S. Representative Mary Bono, that her late ex-husband attempted to leave the church in 1991 but"they made it very difficult for him. Tom Cruises films include Top Gun, Rain Man, Cocktail, The Firm, A Few Good Men, Jerry Maguire, and the Mission: Impossible series of films. "The basic thing that I think Scientology helps people with is to rehabilitate their own spirit, their own nature, their own personality that was sort of buried or lost somewhere along the way," Kirstie Alley told ABC News in 1998. Amusingly, about half of the SI story centers around Brodie's quasi-hippie-philosophical leadership and how Scientology provided him with the foundation for his success after an arm injury almost cost him his career. Oscar -nominated actress Anne Archer has been a Scientologist for decades, and os one of the most well-known ones since her son Tommy Davis was the Church of In the liner notes of her 2004 albumAmerica's Sweetheart, Courtney Love thanked Scientology and Kirstie Alley. It was through Hayes that Doug E. Fresh found the religion. There are many to whom America and the world listens Scientologys blustery founder wrote in a newsletter announcing the plan. | The SEO Show, Are you sick of talking about Aaron Rodgers yet? Donald Trump has tweeted about [Scientologist singer] Joy Villa, a person whos infiltrated the White House. 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. 12 Celebrities Who've Been Affiliated With the Church of Scientology, Leah Remini: 'Being Critical of Tom Cruise Is Being Critical of Scientology Itself', Leah Remini Speaks Exclusively to ABC News About Her Experience with the Church of Scientology. In addition to writing the sci-fi book Battlefield Earth, he composed the score for an accompanying soundtrack to the book, featuring contributions from Chick Corea. Scientology famous members from Kelly Preston and John Travolta to Tom Cruise and Leah Remini. The actress, who was once included on the church's website's list of successful Scientologists, believed for years that her religion was life-changing. Prior to creating Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, her docuseries on A&E, Remini was a dedicated contributor to the church from childhood until 2013. Milton Katselas: Katselas, who coached everyone from Burt Reynolds to Giovanni Ribisialso a Scientologistis called the best acting teacher in the world in a 2007 New York Times profile. Later, though, he told LA.com, "I have nothing against it, but I am no longer a Scientologist. Giovanni's sister Marissa, known for her roles in Dazed and Confused and The Brady Bunch Movie, is a life-long Scientologist because of her family lineage, but also through marriage. | Agree to Disagree. From Grease to Hairspray, he probably has the best pipes in the whole organization. Taryn, Benjamin and Cathy have all Turn on desktop notifications for breaking news? There's nothing more to it. One part of the mind is analytical, and the other is reactive. In the 1950s, founder L. Ron Hubbard created what became known as Project Celebrity, a written program that offers rewards to Scientologists who bring in some of the biggest names in Hollywood. ", Raised a Scientologist along with his sister, Marissa (married to musician Beck, another Scientologist), the Ted actor participated in the gala opening of Scientology's "Psychiatry: An Industry of Death" Museum in December 2005. - January 18, 2018 06:30 pm EST. Cruise has become one of the high-profile mascots of Scientology since joining the group in 1990 at the introduction of then-wife Mimi Rogers (who has since left the church). According to ABC News, one of the most famous Scientology celebrities is Tom Cruise. Now she and the four kids are into Scientology, too. However, Van Morrison denied those allegations, saying,"There have been many lies put out about me and this finally states my position. 2023 ABC News Internet Ventures. A prominent member of the Church of Scientology, Alley made her move to Advertisement Hollywood celebrities are not typically associated with their religious affiliations, but big names like Tom Cruise and John Travolta have become well-known as Scientologists. 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. The, Albert L. Ortega / WireImage / Getty Images, Cartwright the longtime voice of Bart Simpson has been an avid Scientologist for decades. "I think that's a good way of saying it, because there is so much focus on the, I guess, empowerment and, sort of, respecting yourself, and yourself as an individual," said Moss. ", Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. Reaiche also claims that his children were brainwashed by the religion into cutting him out of their lives. To be clear, the late Leonard Cohen was not a practicing Scientologist. Getty Images. In 1995, she told a reporter for People she is "a strong advocate for their ethics. 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. "Scientology gives you hope and the certainty that you can improve any condition," she said. Moss said Scientology gives her stability and makes her feel like a better version of herself. [Rogers] no longer seems to be active in the Church of Scientology, but refuses to confirm it, the Telegraph wrote in 2001. Among the things he disclosed, ""Everything basically in Scientology is like, 'Here's a problem; OK cool, here's something you can study that will help you find the solution to that problem.' Lewis previously told a Daily Beast reporter that the public is unkind to Scientology because "the mainstream media is funded by pharmaceutical companies, so when you have the biggest movie star in the world at the time Tom Cruise coming out against anti-depressants and Ritalin and just saying, 'Hey, why don't you put a warning label on there?' Nancy Cartwright: The voice of Bart, Nelson, Todd Flanders, and Ralph Wiggum on The Simpsons has been a Scientologist since 1989. "Honestly, I've become more me," the actress said in the organization's Celebrity magazine of her religious affiliation. Pea who has a long list of credits including End of Watch and Ant-Man In the '70s he founded a group called The Apollo Stars which performed concerts that promoted Scientology. ), Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images. She also says that it gives her focus to see people as spiritual beings. In 2007, Cartwright made a $10 million donation to the church. Though Travolta is a longtime Scientologist and has recruited several famous members to the organization, ex-Scientology executive Marty Rathbun described him as "Scientology's captive" in HBO's documentary Going Clear. All rights reserved. There were rumors that he was threatening to leave, adds New Yorker writer Lawrence Wright. Jeff Conaway co-starred alongside confirmed Scientologist John Travolta inGrease. Contact the author at andy@gawker.com. Masterson, who starred in That's '70s Show and Netflix's The Ranch (before his recent firing), is one of the most famous members of Scientology following reports he raped a handful of women in the early 2000s with the organization allegedly covering up for his proclivities. Here are the 20 most famous Scientology celebrities. 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 the late sixties, when he was living in New York, he studied briefly at a Scientology center and emerged with a certificate that declared him 'Grade IV Release. "If I had to sum it all up, like, the goal of Scientology is giving the person back to themselves, like your own power of choice. Gather around the Sacred Computer, heathens, and harken to the Holy Bleep. January 24, 1986, San Luis Obispo, California), a writer who introduced his ideas to the general public in Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health (1950). This gallery was originally published in December 2015 and has since been continually updated. ", Michael Pea, like Masterson, is primarily an actor known for his roles in NYPD Blue,Crash,The Martianand a recent remake ofCHIPS. After the couple divorced in 1990, Cruise walked down the aisle twice more, withNicole Kidman in 1990 and Katie Holmes in 2006. 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. "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. In 2012, the "Loser" singer acknowledged outright his affiliation with the church, telling Vulture, "It's just something that I've been around." After the couple divorced in 1990, Cruise walked down the aisle twice more, withNicole Kidman in 1990 and Katie Holmes in 2006. Doug E. Fresh: The 80s rapper/beatboxer has a track on The Joy of Creating, an L. Ron Hubbard-tribute album. Anne Archer is best known for her role in Fatal Attraction, for which she was nominated for an Oscar. He noted in a 2016 interview that he has "been a Scientologist all my life. Travolta's wife Preston, who is also a former model and actress in films such as Mischief, Twins, and Jerry Maguire, is a member of the organization founded by Hubbard in 1954. Image via Wikipedia. Although the couple divorced in 1990, Cruise continued to practice Scientology. He has defended the church many times in past interviews, even. Jason Lee: Lee, star of mid-aughts sitcom My Name Is Earl, is a Scientologist, as is Earl co-star Ethan Suplee. In 1986, Frank collaborated with fellow Scientologist John Travolta and actor Leif Garrett to make album The Road to Freedom, which was a musical version of the word founded by L. Ron Hubbard. What list of musically inclined Scientologists could be complete without John Travolta? Ive prayed in churches, meditated in temples. Hubbards [Wiki] [source]. Although the Mad Men actress doesn't speak about her religion very often, she does comment on its portrayal in the media. American blues-rock multi-instrumentalist Edgar Winter is a member of the Church of Scientology. Haggis, a prominent screenwriter and producer of projects like Million Dollar Baby, left Scientology in 2009 after 35 years as a member. 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. Manson is making progress for the first time in his life.. But the man from the record label tells me she doesn't want to discuss her beliefs. He has since been married to two other women. Prominent Scientologist Tom Cruise joined the Church of Scientology not long after his father died in 1984. They reject the truth of God and exchange it for their own human truth. But, as noted in thisNew Yorkerprofile from Oct. 2016 (Cohen passed in November), "Since his days davening next to his uncles in his grandfathers synagogue, Cohen has been a spiritual seeker. Along with other high-profile celebrities, including Tom Cruise, Juliette Lewis has spoken out about the pharmaceutical companies and how they control mainstream media. According to a TV critic at The Guardian, the plot of the entire NBC series has shades of Hubbard-inspired connections. In recent months, Haggis has been accused by multiple women of sexual assault, an "attack" tactic he and Remini, among others, believe to be orchestrated by the church following his public exit. All of the women who have accused Masterson of sexual assault are ex-members of the church, and some claim Scientology leaders threatened them to keep quiet while protecting the actor from harm. Stephen Boyd: Ben-Hur actor Boyd, who died in 1977, was an OT IV, according to George Malkos book Scientology: The Now Religion.