19 Hollywood Celebs Who Worship at the Altar of Scientology

by SheKnows Editors
Sep 14, 2017 at 4:00 pm EDT

Sep 14, 2017 at 4:00 pm EDT

19 Hollywood Celebs Who Worship at — Image: WENN

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, we all just thought it was kind of a kooky religion that Hollywood’s elite tended to gravitate toward. We didn’t know a whole lot about it, but it seemed harmless enough.

Until 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. Check it out.

Originally published December 2016. Updated September 2017.

19 Celebs who belong to the Church of Scientology

Image: Mario Mitsis/Wenn

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.”

Image: Brian To/Wenn

This star of Mad Men is notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to her involvement in the Church of Scientology, but she defended the religion in an Instagram post this summer 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!”

Image: Daniel Tanner/Wenn

Laura Prepon publicly admitted to being a Scientologist in 2007 and said in 2015 that the religion has helped her find herself and become a better person.

Image: Brian To/Wenn

Erika Christensen was raised in the Church of Scientology by her parents in Seattle, Washington.

Image: FayesVision/Wenn

Sofia Milos, a Swiss-born actress of Italian and Greek descent, is best known for her role as Yelina Salas on CSI: Miami. Milos studied acting in Los Angeles with Milton Katselas, also a Scientologist.

Image: Adriana M. Barraza/Wenn

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.

Image: FayesVision/Wenn

As Travolta’s wife, Kelly Preston is half of Scientology’s most famous power couple.

Image: Joseph Marzullo/Wenn

Having been raised a Methodist, the Emmy-winning actress joined Scientology in 1979. She credits the church with helping her beat a cocaine addiction and reached the church’s status of Operating Thetan Level 7 in 2007.

Rumor has it that Alley declared Leah Remini as her sworn enemy, but Alley has also said that the drama between the two is all water under the bridge.

Image: Judy Eddy/Wenn

Elvis Presley’s bride is very active in the Church of Scientology.

Image: Brian To/Wenn

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.

Image: FayesVision/Wenn

Juliette Lewis has hinted that she thinks the media is creating a false narrative around Scientology and defends her right to practice the religion.

Image: Wenn

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.

Image: Wenn

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.

Image: Wenn

Jason Lee was a Scientologist for years but revealed in 2016 that he had left the church.

Image: Ivan Nikolov/Wenn

Lee’s My Name is Earl co-star, Ethan Suplee, is also a practicing Scientologist.

Image: Nikki Nelson/Wenn

A Los Angeles native, Giovanni Ribisi was raised in the Church of Scientology.

Image: Wenn

Having appeared on numerous TV shows, Scientologist Lynsey Bartilson is most famous for her role as Lily on Grounded for Life.

Image: Brian To/WENN.com

Beck grew up in Scientology. His father was involved before he was born and “has had lots of benefits from it,” he told Vulture in 2012. His wife, Dazed and Confused actress (and Giovanni Ribisi’s twin sister) Marissa Ribisi, is also a second-generation Scientologist.