Famous Scientologists

Actress Kirstie Alley has been under the public microscope for quite some time after dealing with weight issues. That's not the only thing this famous Scientologist has needed some extra help with, though.Alley admitted to 'Entertainment Tonight' in 2012 that she had a pretty bad cocaine addiction. She often though she would die from using it. Once she read 'Dianetics,' she decided Scientology was either a crock or something that could change her life. It turned out to be the latter for her, and she has turned her life around.Kelly Preston has stood by her husband John Travolta for years. They have raised a family together, outlasted the Hollywood scandals, and they are both practicing Scientologists. Kelly credits Scientology for helping her cope with the tragic loss of her autistic son Jett in 2009. Oddly enough, The Church of Scientology does not support or believe in neurological issues such as autism and mental illness.John Travolta has been at the center of some juicy Hollywood tabloid stories over the past few months, but one involving his support of a Scientology-approved rehab center is certainly one of the most interesting.After four deaths at the Narconon Arrowhead rehab facility, a lawsuit was filed by one of the victim's families. Since John hosted a fundraiser for the facility, he was named in the suit. It was settled out of court, but there are other cases that are still waiting to be heard. The Church of Scientology denies any wrongdoing in the deaths, but we'll leave that up the the judge.View the list »
Tom Cruise is one of the topics of a new book on Scientology, called "Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood & The Prison of Belief." The book claims Tom signed a billion-year contract of service to the religion, and one of his ultimate goals is to help protect the universe from aliens.  Tom's choice of religion has been brought under fire for years now, with rumors claiming it was one of the causes of his split from former wife Katie Holmes. 

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When you think about famous Scientologists, chances are both Tom Cruise and John Travolta come to mind. When there is a scandal surrounding a star who practices the religion, people immediately seem to point fingers at the believers and their choices.

According to the official Scientology website, the religion was developed by author L. Ron Hubbard. The site defines Scientology as a religion offering “a precise path" that will lead to "a complete and certain understanding of one’s true spiritual nature and one’s relationship to self, family, groups, Mankind, all life forms, the material universe, the spiritual universe,” as well as a path to the religion’s concept of God.

Take a look at 20 of the most famous Scientlogists in the list at the top of this article, and get more celebrity news and gossip right here on Examiner.com.

View the list
  • Tom Cruise is one of the topics of a new book on Scientology, called "Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood & The Prison of Belief." The book claims Tom signed a billion-year contract of service to the religion, and one of his ultimate goals is to help protect the universe from aliens.  Tom's choice of religion has been brought under fire for years now, with rumors claiming it was one of the causes of his split from former wife Katie Holmes. 
  • John Travolta has been at the center of some juicy Hollywood tabloid stories over the past few months, but one involving his support of a Scientology-approved rehab center is certainly one of the most interesting.After four deaths at the Narconon Arrowhead rehab facility, a lawsuit was filed by one of the victim's families. Since John hosted a fundraiser for the facility, he was named in the suit. It was settled out of court, but there are other cases that are still waiting to be heard. The Church of Scientology denies any wrongdoing in the deaths, but we'll leave that up the the judge.
  • Kelly Preston has stood by her husband John Travolta for years. They have raised a family together, outlasted the Hollywood scandals, and they are both practicing Scientologists. Kelly credits Scientology for helping her cope with the tragic loss of her autistic son Jett in 2009. Oddly enough, The Church of Scientology does not support or believe in neurological issues such as autism and mental illness.
  • Actress Kirstie Alley has been under the public microscope for quite some time after dealing with weight issues. That's not the only thing this famous Scientologist has needed some extra help with, though.Alley admitted to 'Entertainment Tonight' in 2012 that she had a pretty bad cocaine addiction. She often though she would die from using it. Once she read 'Dianetics,' she decided Scientology was either a crock or something that could change her life. It turned out to be the latter for her, and she has turned her life around.
  • Singer Beck, 42, is a second generation Scientologist, who publicly acknowledged his affiliation for the first time in a 2005 interview. He also sort of discussed his beliefs in a 2012 interview with New York Magazine. “Everybody,” he says, “is trying to figure out a way to deal with their issues and things that are unresolved. I mean, some things just don’t resolve. But whatever’s going to get you through. That’s my feeling about it.” 
  • Twin siblings and actors Giovanni and Marissa Ribisi, 37, are second generation Scientologists.Marissa shares her beliefs with her husband, Beck. Marissa decided Scientology was right for her after taking the 'Key to Life' course, which led her into the acting world.
  • Rapper Doug E. Fresh, 46, is a member of the Church of Scientology, and was the first hip-hop artists to publicly embrace the religion. Fresh has performed at church functions and on a Scientology music album. Doug spoke about his beliefs in a 2009 interview with Esquire magazine. "I’m not saying it’s for everyone, but you have to take a look. You may be amazed at what you get.”
  • Elisabeth Moss, 30, is reportedly a Scientologist.Moss was once married to ‘Saturday Night Live’ co-star Fred Armisen, and according the rumor mill, Elisabeth's devotion to Scientology played a factor in the couple's short-lived marriage of just 8 months. 
  • Actress Erika Christensen, 30, attended Delphi Academy, a private school in Los Angeles run according to the philosophies of Scientology. Christensen has recently defended the religion, stating Scientologists don't worship rabbits, and they are not a part of secret, closed group. She would also have no problem introducing her future children to the belief system.
  • Jason Lee, 42, is an actor, pro-skateboarder, photographer and entrepreneur  that many will recognize from the hit show 'My Name is Earl,'Jason Lee's first marriage reportedly ended due to his affiliation with Scientology. His former wife told Access Hollywood the following: 'Scientology broke my heart... worse almost than Jason did."
  • Actress Leah Remini is a member of The Church of Scientology, helping in 2005 to promote the opening of a church museum. Leah also made headlines in 2008 when an email, rumored to be from the actress herself, made the rounds on the Internet. The email was difficult to follow, whether you're into Scientology or not.
  • Journalist Greta Van Susteren, 58, and her husband are reported members and large-scale donors of the Church of Scientology. Greta made headlines in 2002 when she underwent some extreme plastic surgery. Barely recognizable from her CNN days, her current gig is with Fox News.
  • Actress and rock star Juliette Lewis dated Brad Pitt from ’90 to ’93 and is a reported follower of Scientology. Pitt reportedly broke up with Lewis after she tried to recruit him into the organization. Juliette told Vanity Fair in a 2010 interview that she considers herself a "Christian Scientologist." 
  •  Actress Jenna Elfman and husband Bodhi Elfman are known members of The Church of Scientology.In a 2005 interview with Celebrity, a Scientology magazine, Elfman turned heads when she said she wanted to "clear the planet."
  • Acting brothers Danny Masterson, 36, and Chris Masterson, 32, are both followers of Scientology. Danny Masterson has publicly supported CCHR (Citizen's Commission of Human Rights), an organization which exposes psychiatric human rights violations. 
  • Danny Masterson’s ‘That 70s Show’ co-star, Laura Prepon also reportedly shares his affiliation with the Church of Scientology. Prepon rarely discusses Scientology in public interviews.
  • ‘Army Wives’ costar Catherine Bell, 44, has participated in public church events as a follower of Scientology. Bell is a thyroid cancer survivor, and patients often go through periods of depression following their treatments. Bell is a public member of CCHR, an organization that feels a mental health diagnosis should be blocked by insurance companies.
  • Linda Blair gained fame playing the young victim possessed by the devil in ‘The Exorcist’ back in 1973.Since then, Blair has starred in various films and made appearances through the years. She is rumored to a member of the Church.  
  • Jason Lee’s ‘My Name is Earl’ co-star, Ethan Suplee is also reportedly a follower of Scientology.Suplee reportedly joined the Church in the '90s and participated in their Purification Rundown to break an addiction to prescription painkillers. 
  • Priscilla is a devoted member to the Church of Scientology, and is also a big supporter of CCHR. Her daughter, Lisa Marie, used to be a member of the church as well. Lisa Marie has since stopped practicing, and many think the lyrics of her 2012 single 'You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet' were directed towards the Church.
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