10 Current and Former Celebrity Members of the Church of Scientology
The controversial faith has attracted big names from film and television, but claims of abusive and manipulative practices have driven some of them away.
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The controversial Church of Scientology is known as much for its unique lore—an intergalactic overlord named Xenu and life forces called “thetans” attaching to human bodies, among other beliefs—as for the A-list followers it has attracted.
Founded by L. Ron Hubbard in the 1950s, Scientology has counted some of the biggest stars in film, television, and music among its members. Some have remained loyal, even with the organization facing startling accusations of abuse, intimidation, and even human trafficking in recent years—claims it has vehemently denied. Others have broken away, becoming vocal critics of its methods.
Here’s a look at 10 notable celebrities who have practiced Scientology and where their faith stands today.
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Tom Cruise
Scientology Status: Member
Tom Cruise, the star of Top Gun: Maverick and Mission Impossible, is Scientology’s most prominent member, having joined during his marriage to Mimi Rogers in the late 1980s. He received a special award from the church called the Freedom Medal of Valor in 2004. According to Vox, the 61-year-old is even viewed by some members as a savior figure.
But the 2015 documentary Going Clear claimed the church helped contribute to Cruise’s split from ex-wife Nicole Kidman, and it reportedly played a role in his breakup with our next star...
Katie Holmes
Scientology Status: Former member
Katie Holmes, 44, practiced Scientology after she began dating Cruise in 2005, and they married a year later in November 2006. Cruise memorably jumped on a couch during an interview with Oprah Winfrey in excitement over their relationship.
However, the former Dawson’s Creek star filed for divorce from Cruise in 2012 and also left Scientology. That year, the New York Post reported Holmes believed the church was trying to intimidate her. She won full custody of their daughter, Suri, whom Holmes reportedly didn’t want involved in the faith.
John Travolta
Scientology Status: Member
John Travolta has practiced Scientology since 1975 and served as a producer and star of Battlefield Earth, the 2000 science-fiction film based on Scientology founder Hubbard’s 1982 novel.
Following the 2020 death of his wife, Kelly Preston, rumors of a rift between Travolta, now 69, and the church gained steam. Preston had undergone treatment for breast cancer, though Hubbard reportedly opposed methods like chemotherapy and radiation. However, in 2021, Travolta told Kevin Hart on an episode of Hart to Heart that the faith “still works for me.”
Leah Remini
Scientology Status: Former member
After spending more than 35 years in the organization, Leah Remini, 53, has become one of its harshest critics since her departure in 2013. The actor wrote about her experiences in her 2015 memoir Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology. She then hosted the A&E docuseries Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, which detailed stories of alleged abuse and manipulation within the church. The series won two Emmy awards.
Last week, The King of Queens star sued the organization and its leader, David Miscavage, accusing them of harassment, intimidation, and defamation.
Danny Masterson
Scientology Status: Member
According to People, Danny Masterson, 47, grew up in a family that practiced Scientology and began studying Hubbard’s book Dianetics at age 15.
His long-established connection to the church played a major part in his recent criminal trial. The actor was convicted on two counts of forcible rape in May 2023 and received the maximum sentence of 30 years to life in prison on September 7.
During his trial, victims testified that the former That ’70s Show actor used his prominence within Scientology to avoid consequences for his crimes for decades and even said they felt intimidated by some members in the courtroom. The church called the “testimony and description of Scientology beliefs” during the trial “uniformly false.”
Elisabeth Moss
Scientology Status: Member
Elisabeth Moss, 41, has been a Scientology member since childhood and told The New Yorker in a 2022 profile that she credits the faith for helping her develop her communication skills growing up. “It’s not really a closed-off religion,” said the star of Mad Men and The Handmaid's Tale. “It’s a place that is very open to, like, welcoming in somebody who wants to learn more about it. I think that’s the thing that is probably the most misunderstood.”
Jenna Elfman
Scientology Status: Member
Jenna Elfman, best known for her Golden Globe–winning role on the sitcom Dharma & Greg, has been a part of Scientology for more than three decades. The 51-year-old said it has been crucial to her relationships with husband Bohdi Elfman, as well as sons Story and Easton. “I use it every single day of my life, and it keeps me energized and vivacious and happy,” she told People in 2018. “I think that anything that works tends to get attacked.”
Lisa Marie Presley
Scientology Status: Former member
The only daughter of Elvis Presley, who died in January, said she became involved with Scientology immediately after his death when she was 9. Then in 1985, Lisa Marie met her first husband, Danny Keough, at the Scientology Celebrity Centre, where she received treatment for drug addiction.
However, she told reporter Tony Ortega of The Underground Bunker she left the church for good in 2014 and helped get her mother, Priscilla Presley, out as well. Priscilla later denied leaving Scientology in 2017.
Kirstie Alley
Scientology Status: Former member
Actor Kirstie Alley, known for starring in Cheers and Veronica’s Closet, practiced Scientology for more than 40 years up until her death in 2022. She credited counseling with the church for helping her kick an addiction to cocaine. “When I was straight, I had the courage and energy to try to become an actress. I owe my career to my will to stop using,” she told The Los Angeles Times in 1990.
Juliette Lewis
Scientology Status: It’s complicated
Yellowjackets star Juliette Lewis, now 50, has said Scientology helped her become sober when she was 22 years old. She even once claimed Tom Cruise was the victim of an anti-Scientology conspiracy over past comments regarding prescription drug use.
However in a 2021 interview with The New York Times, Lewis revealed she doesn’t identify as a Scientologist. “I’m a spiritualist,” she said instead. It’s unclear if this was an actual denial of the church and its practices.
Tyler Piccotti joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor and is now the News and Culture Editor. He previously worked as a reporter and copy editor for a daily newspaper recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors. In his current role, he shares the true stories behind your favorite movies and TV shows and profiles rising musicians, actors, and athletes. When he's not working, you can find him at the nearest amusement park or movie theater and cheering on his favorite teams.
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