12 celebrities who have cut ties with or were expelled from the Church of Scientology
12 celebrities who broke ties with or were expelled from Scientology
Bijou Phillips, estranged wife of Danny Masterson, has reportedly parted ways with the Church of Scientology, an organization that allegedly expelled Masterson following his prison sentence for rape in the previous fall. In recent years, a growing number of actors within the entertainment industry have chosen to disassociate themselves from the Church permanently. The list of those who have left the Church of Scientology may come as a surprise, as some celebrities, like Brad Pitt, were not widely known to be members in the first place. Explore below to discover more about the expanding roster of former Scientology members.
Sharon Stone
Sharon Stone's association with Scientology dates back to the 1990s, a period during which she was actively involved in the organization. Her engagement with the sect continued for a few years until 1998, when she married journalist Phil Bronstein. Subsequently, Stone shifted her spiritual focus and embraced Buddhism, becoming deeply committed to the teachings of this religion.
Neil Gaiman
Renowned author Neil Gaiman had his roots in the Church of Scientology, having been raised within its fold. However, he made the decision to part ways with the organization shortly after reaching adulthood. In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Gaiman shared his perspective, stating, "I realized, ultimately, that people believe what they want to believe. I realized that on the one hand not everyone can be right, but on the other hand you can all be as right as you want, because you are arguing about things that, mostly, are imaginary."
Demi Moore
Demi Moore was reportedly an adherent of Scientology until her marriage to Bruce Willis. During this period, she actively participated in Scientology meetings and was said to be "heavily courted" by high-ranking members of the Church. However, Willis, her then-husband, did not share her belief in Scientology. According to reports from Insider, Willis' skepticism about the religion ultimately influenced Moore's decision to distance herself from the Church, leading to her departure from Scientology.
Jerry Seinfeld
In 2007, comedian Jerry Seinfeld acknowledged that he had experimented with Scientology before achieving widespread fame with his iconic television show, 'Seinfeld'. According to Fox News, Seinfeld revealed, "I did some Scientology courses about 30 years ago."
Bijou Phillips
According to a Page Six report, an insider with close ties to former Scientology members revealed Bijou Phillips left the Church a few weeks after discovering that her estranged husband, Danny Masterson, had been declared a "suppressive person" (SP) for not adhering to the church's standards. The source, speaking to the Daily Mail, emphasized, "Bijou left a few weeks after she found out that Danny had been declared an SP [suppressive person] for not living up to the standards of the church".
Lisa Marie and Priscilla Presley
At one point, Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley, was associated with the Church of Scientology and was reported to be a high-ranking member. However, she left the church in 2012, with her departure allegedly announced through the song 'You Ain't See Nothin' Yet'. Around the same time, her mother, Priscilla Presley, was also believed to have distanced herself from the Church of Scientology.
Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith's connection to Scientology has been a subject of speculation, especially considering their involvement with the New Village Academy, a school they co-founded in 2008. The teaching methods of the school were reported to have clear ties to the Church of Scientology. In 2017, actress Leah Remini, a prominent critic of Scientology, publicly claimed that Jada Pinkett Smith was a member of the Church. Pinkett Smith responded on Twitter, stating, "I have studied Dianetics, and appreciate the merits of Study Tech… but I am not a Scientologist."
Katie Holmes
Katie Holmes was married to Tom Cruise, often considered Scientology's celebrity figurehead, from 2006 to 2012. The actress reportedly surprised Cruise when she filed for divorce in 2012. Speculations emerged that one of the reasons behind the divorce was Holmes' reluctance to have their daughter, Suri, raised as a Scientologist.
Brad Pitt
Indeed, surprising to some, Brad Pitt had a brief connection to Scientology. The actor reportedly took a few Scientology classes while he was dating fellow actor Juliette Lewis, who is a known Scientologist. Although Pitt did not formally join the Church of Scientology, his association with the classes during his relationship with Lewis became a noteworthy part of his past.
Leah Remini
Leah Remini, a former Scientologist of 34 years, left in 2013 after raising questions about the whereabouts of Shelly Miscavige, the wife of leader David Miscavige. She actively criticizes Scientology, highlighting its harmful impact. Remini authored a book and featured in a revealing A&E documentary on the subject. Despite the Church of Scientology disputing her claims, she stands firm in her belief that Scientology is a toxic environment.
Jason Beghe
Jason Beghe, known for his role on 'Chicago PD', is an outspoken former member of Scientology. He has reportedly publicly condemned Scientology as "very dangerous for your spiritual, psychological, mental, emotional health and evolution." Despite reportedly facing alleged retaliatory measures from the Church, which the organization denies, Beghe remains firm in his criticism. His documented stance reflects his experiences and concerns about Scientology's practices.
Tom Berenger
'Inception' star Tom Berenger, once a dedicated member of Scientology, departed from the Church on a sour note. Although the extent of his involvement is not entirely clear, it is known that his second wife's strong belief in Scientology led to a strain in their relationship, ultimately contributing to their divorce. Berenger attributes Scientology as a key factor in his decision to leave the church.
