The Church of Scientology has long been a lightning rod for controversy since its 1952 debut, founded by L. Ron Hubbard. Believers claim the planet is inhabited by alien “thetans” disguised as humans, and that a process called “auditing” can purge these entities and the mental “implants” they allegedly impose. Critics even joke that the faith says humans evolved from clams.[1] Yet, despite the ridicule, a surprising roster of celebrities remains steadfast. Below are 10 famous people who proudly call themselves Scientologists.
10 Famous People and Their Scientology Journey
10 John Travolta
Hollywood legend John Travolta has been a member of the Church of Scientology since 1975, making him one of its most visible supporters. He and his late wife, Kelly Preston, have spoken publicly about how the organization stood beside them after their teenage son suffered a fatal seizure, describing the church as a lifeline during the darkest period.
Travolta has said, “The church never left our sides for two years. I don’t know if I would have made it through without their support.” He added, “The truth is, I didn’t know if I was going to make it. Life was no longer interesting to me, so it took a lot to get me better.”
Former Scientology spokesperson Mike Rinder later claimed in an interview that the church exerts far more influence over Travolta’s family than the public realizes, noting, “Kelly is a much more dedicated Scientologist than John. Scientology dictates every choice in life and informs every decision a Scientologist makes.”[2]
9 Kirstie Alley
Kirstie Alley has been a committed Scientologist since 1979, after an earlier upbringing in the Methodist tradition. She openly admits that she turned to the church while battling a cocaine addiction, eventually completing the Scientology‑affiliated Narconon drug‑rehabilitation program and achieving lasting sobriety.
Following the tragic 2017 Las Vegas Strip shooting, Alley posted a series of tweets attributing the shooter’s actions to psychiatric medication—a claim she made before the official coroner’s report was released. The Church of Scientology asserts that drugs can damage a person’s physical, mental, and spiritual health, advocating instead for its Narconon centers.
Alley has routinely defended the organization, arguing that most criticisms are unfounded. In an interview she remarked, “I think all religions sound bizarre to people who are not the practitioners of them… To me Scientology is so normal, and probably 90 percent of the crazy stuff I hear isn’t true.”
8 Beck
Grammy‑winning musician Beck was born into a Scientology‑practicing family. He first publicly acknowledged his ties in 2005, saying, “It’s just something that I’ve been around. People in my family do it. I’ve read books, and I’ve learned about it.” His estranged wife also comes from a second‑generation Scientology background.
In a candid interview, Beck explained, “It’s definitely something that’s helped me… I think the good done speaks for itself.” When pressed about the church’s detractors, he responded, “There’s that kind of intolerance which to me is kind of insidious, you know; you can make a judgment about something you don’t about. They have one of the highest drug‑treatment success rates and programs for criminals in prisons—it’s pretty staggering actually.”
Beck remains an active participant in the church, though recent interviewers have reportedly been barred from asking him about his faith.
7 Issac Hayes
Singer‑songwriter Isaac Hayes, famed for winning an Academy Award for the “Theme from Shaft,” is also widely recognized as the voice of Chef on the animated series South Park. After nine seasons, Hayes quit the show when an episode lampooned the Church of Scientology, of which he was a member.
Hayes issued a statement asserting, “There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends, and intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others begins. As a civil rights activist, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices.”
Co‑creator Matt Stone fired back, saying, “This has nothing to do with intolerance and bigotry and everything to do with the fact that Isaac Hayes is a Scientologist and that we recently featured Scientology in an episode of South Park. In 10 years and more than 150 episodes, Isaac never had a problem with the show making fun of Christians, Muslims, Mormons and Jews. He got a sudden case of religious sensitivity when it was his religion featured on the show.”
6 Nancy Cartwright
Voice‑actress Nancy Cartwright, the iconic talent behind Bart Simpson on The Simpsons, has been a devoted Scientologist since 1991. In 2007 she earned the church’s Patron Laureate Award after donating $10 million—roughly twice her annual salary—to Scientology initiatives.
When the hard‑hitting documentary Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief premiered in 2015, Cartwright publicly defended the organization, calling the film “a lie” and labeling it “prejudice” and “irresponsible reporting.” She urged viewers to investigate for themselves, saying, “It’s called integrity. Look at who I am, seriously. Look at what I am doing. You can’t knock me for what I am doing. I am helping.”
5 Elisabeth Moss
The Handmaid’s Tale star Elisabeth Moss grew up within Scientology but remains tightly‑lipped about her personal beliefs. After a fan provoked her on social media by comparing the series’ Gilead to Scientology’s alleged media distrust, Moss replied, “That’s actually not true at all about Scientology. Religious freedom, tolerance, and understanding the truth and equal rights for every race, religion and creed are extremely important to me.”
During her 2017 Emmy acceptance speech, Moss famously peppered the podium with a flurry of expletives. Former Scientologist Tiziano Lugli explained that this style is a technique taught to “communicate with average people” by “going down the tone scale,” a practice he claimed many Scientologists employ.
4 Juliette Lewis
Oscar‑nominated actress‑turned‑rocker Juliette Lewis hails from a family steeped in Scientology; her father, Geoffrey Lewis, was also a member. Though her rebellious streak once suggested she might abandon the church, she has remained a steadfast adherent.
In 2017 she voiced support for fellow Scientologist Danny Masterson amid rape accusations, tweeting, “Love you and your beautiful family. It will get better. We know this.”
Lewis defends the organization by noting that every religion has its troubles. “Any religion, you can find trouble in. At the end of the day, I’m into protecting my freedom of choice, freedom of voice, freedom of religion, freedom of expression. And so as long as nothing is inhibiting that… There are misconceptions that are annoying,” she said.
3 Michael Pena
Actor Michael Pena, known for Ant‑Man and the Wasp and Narcos: Mexico, credits his Scientology involvement for his career boost. He entered the church in 2000, enrolling in the “Purification Rundown” detox program to overcome alcoholism, describing the experience as “practical things you do,” not a belief system.
Later he joined the “Study Tech” program, which he says sharpened his reading skills and helped him dissect scripts more effectively. Study Tech, devised by founder L. Ron Hubbard, aims to raise literacy among members.
When asked about the church’s critics, Pena replied, “I don’t read that stuff. OK, imagine we’re friends, you and me. Buddies. And there’s a tabloid story about you. There’s no way I’m going to read some tabloid story about you. Especially when I know it’s misinformed.”
2 Laura Prepon
Orange Is The New Black star Laura Prepon swears Scientology has alleviated her stress and helped her relax. She’s openly discussed participating in many church programs, including “Personal Values and Integrity” and the “Purification Rundown.”
Prepon has also undergone the controversial “auditing” process, which critics claim can be used to manipulate past traumas. She said, “The auditing has stripped away all of this charge, false ideas, decisions and mis‑emotions that were affecting me.”
She added, “I spotted this decision I made a long time ago that was affecting me to this day… At the time of the incident, you make a postulate as a ‘pro‑survival’ decision, you know? Then to spot it years and years later, after peeling away these layers and then—boom, there it is—it’s mind‑blowing! To think of it just hiding there in my bank, affecting me.”
1 Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise stands as perhaps the most recognizable Scientologist and also the most scrutinized. He credits the church’s “Study Tech” program for helping him conquer dyslexia and has campaigned for Scientology’s recognition as a religion throughout Europe. In 2004 he famously declared, “I think psychiatry should be outlawed,” and later criticized actress Brooke Shields for using antidepressants while battling postpartum depression.
Former church insider Leah Remini observed, “He is second to David Miscavige—the saviour of the free world.” Another ex‑member, Bree Mood, added, “[Cruise] was a god in the lower ranks. Every time a Tom Cruise movie came out they’d buy all his tickets. It could be 500, 1,000, up to 2,500 people. I’m not kidding.”
His former wife Nicole Kidman is believed to have left the church after their divorce, while their adopted daughter Isabella remains a member and even completed auditing during an internship at Scientology London. Many speculate that his religious affiliation contributed to the breakdown of his marriage to Katie Holmes.