Celebrities have long been members of the Church of Scientology since the church’s foundation. In the 1950s, founder L. Ron Hubbard created what would become known as “Project Celebrity,” a program that offers rewards to church members who bring in someone with a big name in Hollywood.
Many Los Angeles drivers have probably spotted the controversial church’s Celebrity Center, which is a special church that is open to members of the public but highlights “artists, politicians, leaders of the industry, sports figures, and anyone with power and vision to create a better world” (via the Church of Scientology).
What Is Scientology’s “Project Celebrity”?
Project Celebrity was Hubbard’s attempt to help spread the word of his religion to Americans who would listen to the voices of people they recognized from movies and TV shows. Famous people Hubbard converted to Scientology in his heyday include Ed Sullivan, Orson Welles, and Walt Disney.
The celebrity tradition has continued, with notable high-profile actors like Tom Cruise and John Travolta holding the celebrity Scientology torch for decades. But who else is in Scientology?
Danny Masterson
Known for his role as Steven Hyde in “That ’70s Show,” Danny Masterson was raised in the Church of Scientology with his brother, Christopher Masterson. Masterson has been quoted by the church, saying, “Each service in Scientology is something I have added to my tool box of data for living.”
In June 2020, Masterson was charged with three counts of assault. While Masterson has denied the allegations, the “Men at Work” actor was sentenced to 30 years to life for his crime. In a statement after his conviction in May, the Church of Scientology said there was “not a scintilla of evidence supporting the scandalous allegations that the Church harassed the accusers” (via BBC).
Elisabeth Moss
While the “Handmaid’s Tale” star doesn’t talk about her connection with the Church of Scientology often, Elisabeth Moss is a practicing member. In an interview with The New Yorker, the “Mad Men” actor stated that she has been a Scientologist since before she was a teenager.
“I don’t want to come off as being cagey,” Moss said in her interview. “I don’t want people to be distracted by something when they’re watching me. I want them to be seeing the character.”
Beck
While Beck denies that he was ever a Scientologist, Mike Rinder, a former senior executive of the Church of Scientology International, says that Beck was once a member.
“He is acting like he was never a Scientologist, which is his way of not publicly speaking out and therefore not getting labeled like us and attacked like us,” ex-Scientologist Leah Remini told The Underground Bunker.
Erika Christensen
The “Parenthood” actor has been a long-practicing member of Scientology. Erika Christensen told the New York Daily News: “Scientology helps me in acting to focus on communication. It’s almost a safety precaution when you’re an actor because some people can be traumatized by character, and I don’t have to worry about that.”
The “Will Trent ” actor says that there is a study that helps her disconnect from her characters and her personal life, and maintain a healthy career in Hollywood.
Juliette Lewis
The “Yellowjackets” star was born into Scientology and started practicing the religion in the 1990s. After falling into a yearlong addiction to cocaine and prescription medication in her early adult life, Juliette Lewis came back to the church, crediting it with helping her rehabilitate.
“I am no longer stuck in the bottomless pit of despair and apathy,” the “Cape Fear” actor said on the church’s site. “Having achieved the state of Clear is the single most important thing that I’ve done for myself.”
Lisa Marie Presley
The daughter of Elvis Presley joined the church after John Travolta suggested Priscilla Presley join the church to help with mourning the 1977 death of her ex-husband. Priscilla also hoped that Scientology would help with Lisa Marie’s behavioral problems.
Lisa Marie ended up leaving the church around 2012 after 35 years of being a member. While she hoped the church would “cure” her drug abuse and other problems, Lisa Marie felt it was time to part with the church before her death in 2023.
Michael Pena
The “Ant-Man” actor joined the Church of Scientology in 2000 after he had concerns about his drinking habits. Michael Pena, known also for his roles in the Oscar-winning films “Million Dollar Baby” and “Crash,” told The Guardian that the detox Purification Rundown helped him stay on the right path.
“For me, it isn’t religion like a belief; it’s practical things you do,” Pena said in his interview.
Neil Gaiman
The English writer Neil Gaiman, known for “Coraline” and DC’s “The Sandman,” has been a Scientologist since he was a kid. “Most of our social activities were involved with Scientology or our Jewish family,” Gaiman said in an interview with The New Yorker.
Gaiman joked that he was a “Jewish Scientologist” but tends to avoid questions about his faith. Currently, his family continues to practice Scientology while he distances himself, but is still connected to the religion in some aspects.
Jada Pinkett Smith
It was revealed in the activist’s memoir, “Worthy,” that she was a practicing Scientologist. Jada Pinkett Smith explains in her book that she was drawn to Scientology’s general teachings, writing that she “embraced” the church’s “Basic Study Manual” while home schooling her children.
She and Will Smith would eventually go on to found the New Village Leadership Academy in 2008.
Tom Cruise
Okay, so this one isn’t a surprise, but Tom Cruise is too big of a member of the Church of Scientology not to mention. Introduced into the church by his first wife, Mimi Rogers, Cruise has become a prominent figure with deep ties to leader David Miscavige.
Cruise has been a Scientologist since his early years in Hollywood. Cruise has even purchased and reformed the mansion that once belonged to L. Ron Hubbard, according to The Telegraph (via El Pais).
