Since the 1950s, L. Ron Hubbard’s Church of Scientology has employed “Project Celebrity” as a means of encouraging followers to bring in renowned individuals from the entertainment industry. The program awards rewards to successful Scientologists who attract the most famous of movie stars.
Over the years many A-list actors have joined the movement and become Scientologists. We are going to list some of these celebrities below.
Hollywood Celebs Who Joined the Church of Scientology
1. Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise has long been renowned for his celebrity status and is a prominent follower of the church of Scientology. It was his first spouse, Rogers, who welcomed Cruise to the religion in 1990. Apparently, his affiliation with the religion was one of the primary motivations behind Nicole Kidman and Katie Holmes seeking a divorce from him when they were married.
2. Leah Remini
Leah Remini who had been featured on the church’s website as one of the most successful Scientologists. For years, she held the conviction that her faith had profoundly altered her life.
“Scientology gives you hope and the certainty that you can improve any condition. This, to me, is priceless.”
In 2013, Remini made the announcement that she was departing from the Church of Scientology. Later, she published a memoir, Troublemaker, and starred in the Emmy-award-winning A&E show, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, to share her experiences.
3. John Travolta
John Travolta became a member of the Church of Scientology in 1975. According to the church’s official website, he is considered one of the most successful practitioners of the faith. He is quoted on the website stating that the church has helped him immensely.
“As a Scientologist, I have the technology to handle life’s problems and I have used this to help others in life as well. I would say Scientology put me into the big time.”
4. Elisabeth Moss
The Mad Men actress may not make any public statements about her faith, yet she has given her opinion on how it is represented in the media. In an interview with The Advocate, Moss stated,
“Many of my church’s stances and concepts are grossly misunderstood by the media. It’s a long list.”
5. Danny Masterson
Raised as a Scientologist, Danny Masterson is a well-known actor and DJ with his brother, Christopher Masterson, also an actor. After the That ’70s Show alum was charged with three counts of rape in June 2020, and was convicted to 30 years in prison on September 7, 2023.
Ex-member of the church, Remini tweeted,
“This is just the beginning Scientology, your days of getting away with it is coming to an end!”
6. Laura Prepon
After dating Masterson’s brother Christopher, Prepon also became a strong believer in Scientology. Masterson and his brother were also attendees of the same church. However, in 2021, Laura Prepon told People magazine that she hadn’t been practicing Scientology for nearly “five years.” She said,
“I’m no longer practicing Scientology. I’ve always been very open-minded, even since I was a child. I was raised Catholic and Jewish. I’ve prayed in churches, meditated in temples. I’ve studied Chinese meridian theory. … [Scientology] no longer part of my life.”
7. Giovanni Risbi
Giovanni Risbi was brought up in a Scientologist household with his sibling Marissa (who is married to musician Beck, another Scientologist). The actor attended the inauguration gala of the “Psychiatry: An Industry of Death” Museum of Scientology in December 2005. In an interview from 2016, he mentioned that he had followed the principles of the church all his life.
8. Michael Pena
Michael Pena joined Scientology in 2000. The Ant-Man actor remarked 16 years later that being with the church had made him a more talented actor.
9. Juliette Lewis
Juliet Lewis is a pure Scientologist. The church website quotes her as,
“I am no longer stuck in the bottomless pit of despair and apathy. Having achieved the state of Clear is the single most important thing that I’ve done for myself.”
10. Jenna Elfman
In a documentary titled Inside Scientology, Jenna Elfman talked about the church’s Celebrity Centre. The documentary was produced by A&E Investigative Reports. She said,
“The Celebrity Centre is just like … the stable datum of … growth and sanity, and growing as an artist … it’s just like I’m always safe when I come here.”
