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The Church of Scientology has been in the peripheral awareness of those of us interested in pop culture for decades — but, for the most part, many believed it to be kooky religion that Hollywood’s elite tended to gravitate toward. We didn’t know a whole lot about it, until former member Leah Remini decided to blow the lid off the whole deal, that is.
As a former Scientologist herself, Remini has accused the church of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse against men, women, and children — and she’s not anywhere near done exposing the inner goings-on of Scientology on her Emmy-nominated show, Scientology and the Aftermath.
But even with all of the recent bad press, there is still a grip of celebs who are Scientologists. There have been accusations floating about what happens behind the scenes (most of which are quite disturbing), but once you ask a Scientologist member, they always deny it. Many claim Scientology “saved” them and try to deny the accusations set forth by Ramini and others who’ve left the Church over the years.
Despite the drama and confusion surrounding the controversial religion, many celebrities still stand by it. See which shocking (and not-so-shocking) celebrities are proud Scientologists below.
A version of this story was originally published in Dec 2016.
Emily Armstrong
The new lead singer for Linkin Park, Emily Armstrong, is allegedly a big Scientologist and allegedly defended convicted rapist/ Scientologist Danny Masterson. She has been linked to the Church for quite some time, and even former pal Cedric Bixler-Zavala claimed she was part of the Church and heavily supported Masterson.
He wrote in an Instagram Story via Rolling Stone: “@linkinpark’s new lead singer is a hardcore Scientologist who supported convicted serial rapist both in and out of court. Emily Armstrong is a true believer of the Scientology cult/criminal organization that engages in human and child trafficking, child and elder abuse, the coverups of countless SAs on children and adults. Also is a true believer of LRH who said Homosexuals are sexual deviants on the same level as pedophiles and all homosexuals should be sent off to a leper colony.”
While she has yet to comment on being a Scientologist, she did comment on Masterson, saying via Variety: “Several years ago, I was asked to support someone I considered a friend at a court appearance, and went to one early hearing as an observer. Soon after, I realized I shouldn’t have. I always try to see the good in people, and I misjudged him. I have never spoken with him since. Unimaginable details emerged and he was later found guilty. To say it as clearly as possible: I do not condone abuse or violence against women, and I empathize with the victims of these crimes.”
John Travolta
Raised Roman Catholic, John Travolta converted to Scientology in 1975 after he was given the book Dianetics on the set of the movie The Devil’s Rain. He’s still a firm believer to this day, but remains quite quiet about his beliefs.
Catherine Bell
Army Wives alum Catherine Bell has been a big player in the Church of Scientology for years and, per Best Life, she even starred in one of their promo videos.
Elisabeth Moss
The Mad Menalum is notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to her involvement in the Church of Scientology, but Elisabeth Moss defended the religion in an Instagram post when a fan compared Scientology to the oppressive situations in her latest show, The Handmaid’s Tale.
“That’s actually not true at all about Scientology,” Moss responded. “Religious freedom and tolerance and understanding the truth and equal rights for every race, religion and creed are extremely important to me. The most important things to me probably. And so Gilead and THT hit me on a very personal level. Thanks for the interesting question!”
Anne Archer
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 Scientology’s former spokesperson and executive leader.
Marisol Nichols
The Riverdale star has been a member of the Church of Scientology since 1996 and has continued to support the controversial religion over the years because they helped her get sober after a drug addiction. “Honestly, Scientology is what saved my freaking ass,” she told Marie Claire in 2020. “I’d probably be dead.”
Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise is perhaps the most famous member of the Church of Scientology. Rumor has it that both Nicole Kidman and Katie Holmes divorced Cruise due to their discontent with the church. It’s also rumored that Cruise is pretty much considered a golden god by the Scientology leadership and never misses an opportunity to talk up the Chuch.
Danny & Christopher Masterson
The brothers were raised in the church since childhood, but Danny Masterson got serious about its teachings in his mid-teens. “In Scientology, there’s no belief system or anyone who’s worshipped or whatnot; it’s all sort of like college of the mind,” he told Paper magazine in 2015. “And so I grew up not having to go and pray to anyone. I grew up just sort of like, ‘Oh, if you’re thirsty, drink water.’ ”
Alanna Masterson
The Walking Dead star, and half-sister of Danny and Christopher Masterson, has also been a Scientologist since childhood. Her father, Joe Reaiche, who used to be a high-ranking member and has left the church, said about Alanna and his stepsons, Danny and Christopher, “They’re good kids, but they’re ill-informed and they’re brainwashed.”
Michael Peña
Born and raised in Chicago, Michael Peña has appeared in such films as American Hustle, Fury, and The Martian. In an interview with The Guardian, he credits a Scientology program, Study Tech, for making him a more confident reader. “Which made me a better actor,” he said, “because I felt like it helped my understanding of scripts.”
Erika Christensen
Erika Christensen was raised in the Church of Scientology by her parents in Seattle, Washington. In an interview with People, she said, “It’s hard to raise someone as a Scientologist because it’s something that you do, it’s not something that you believe.”
Marissa & Giovanni Ribisi
Giovanni and Marissa Ribisi was raised in the Church of Scientology. MArissa has been a member of the church since she was a child. She divorced musician Beck in 2019, who claimed, “I think there’s a misconception that I am a Scientologist,” her ex told The Sydney Morning Herald, per The Hollywood Reporter. “I’m not a Scientologist. I don’t have any connection or affiliation with it.”
Jason Dohring
The Veronica Mars star was introduced to Scientology by his father and credits them with his success in Hollywood. “The misconceptions that occur with people who haven’t ever read a book about [Scientology], or don’t know what it’s about,” he told BuddyTV. “They’re just taking someone else’s false opinion of what it is.”
Michelle Stafford
The Young and the Restless star reportedly left her General Hospital job in 2019 after the show wrote a storyline that was eerily similar to the Church of Scientology. The longtime member was uncomfortable about the obvious shade toward her religion and Fox411 says it caused her to exit the soap opera before her contract was up.
Nancy Cartwright
We know Nancy Cartwright best as the voice of Bart Simpson, the cartoon boy who never ages. She has reportedly donated over $10 million to the Church of Scientology.
Jenna Elfman
Jenna Elfman is a proud Scientologist but was caught off guard when she was bombarded with questions about Scientology leader David Miscavige during an April 2017 Reddit AMA.
Ethan Suplee
My Name is Earl star Ethan Suplee is also a practicing Scientologist, and has been for over two decades, but remains quiet on the subject.
Lynsey Bartilson
Having appeared on numerous TV shows, Scientologist Lynsey Bartilson is most famous for her role as Lily on Grounded for Life. While he lives a relatively quiet life, she is till a practiocing Scientologist and has helped out with organizations like Youth for Human Rights International.
Bijou Phillips
Danny Masterson’s wife and actress Bijou Phillips is also a practicing Scientologist like her husband, but she keeps it quite under wraps.
Doug E. Fresh
Rapper and producer Doug E. Fresh revealed his involvment with the church back in 2009 in an interview with Essence.
“It is not just for white people. Scientology is not written with disrespect toward God. It doesn’t worship something that is evil. It is scientific, mathematical, and spiritual. The black community has to check it out and see what’s there. I’m not saying it’s for everyone, but you have to take a look,” he said at the time.
Greta Van Susteren
According to CBS, news anchor Greta Van Susteren is a Scientologist as she revealed to People magazine in 1995. She reportedly said she is “a strong advocate of their ethics.”
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