Sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard parlayed his 1950s self-help system, Dianetics, into a worldwide religion called Scientology. Here’s a look at some of the church’s famous followers.
Tom Cruise is a prominent member of the Church of Scientology and was introduced to the religion through his first wife, Mimi, Rogers in 1990. The actor said that psychiatry should be “outlawed” in 2005, speaking in reference to actress Brooke Shields’ treatment for post-partum depression. Scientology is known to be against the medical practice. Katie Holmes’ decision in 2012 to divorce Tom Cruise is said to be based largely on her desire to distance her and Cruise’s daughter Suri from some parts of Scientology. (Alessandra Tarantino / Associated Press)
“Mad Men” actress Elisabeth Moss was born to Scientologist parents. It was rumored that she and “Saturday Night Live” star Fred Armisen ended their eight-month marriage in 2010 because of her devotion to Scientology. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
“My Name is Earl” star Jason Lee joined Scientology in the 1980s, before he became an actor. He has been listed on the commissioners board for the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, which is sponsored by the Church of Scientology. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
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“Dharma & Greg” star Jenna Elfman was introduced to the religion by her husband, Bodhi Elfman. She converted from Catholicism after they married in 1995. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
“Gone in 60 Seconds” actor Giovanni Ribisi is an active member of L. Ron Hubbard’s church. Ribisi’s parents are Scientologists, as is his twin sister, Marissa, and her husband, musician Beck. In a 2007 interview with Now Toronto, the actor defended the Church, saying: “I grew up with Scientology -- my parents at one point were clerical. It’s a pragmatic philosophy, not merely a belief system. Yeah, it’s had media exposure because certain luminaries do Scientology, but millions of people do it who are not celebrities. It’s not a threat or some cult.” (Matt Sayles / Associated Press Photos)
Elvis Presley’s wife Priscilla and his daughter Lisa-Marie Presley were known to be members of the church. However, several songs on her latest album “Storm and Grace” indicate that she might have broken with the religion. Nearly all references to the faith have been removed from her personal website too. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
Actress and singer Juliette Lewis, known for her disturbing roles in films like “Cape Fear” and “Natural Born Killers,” was born into Scientology. She also considers herself a Christian, saying in an interview with Vanity Fair, “I think there’s so much confusion because people don’t understand a religion where you can be another religion but you can still practice Scientology. That’s why it’s completely progressive. It’s just tools for living.” (Paul Zimmerman / Getty Images)
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Actor Danny Masterson is dismissing a lawsuit brought by four women who accused him of sexual misconduct. (Michael Buckner / Getty Images)
Though raised a Methodist, actress Kristie Alley became a Scientologist later in life. She credited the religion for helping her end her cocaine addiction through Narconon, a Scientology-affiliated drug rehabilitation program. (D Dipasupil / Getty Images)
Late musician and voice-actor Isaac Hayes became a Scientologist in 1995. Controversy came in 2006, when he left his role as the voice of Chef in the cartoon “South Park” after series creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone ran an episode satirizing the religion. While Hayes claimed he left because of how he was paid, Stone said he believed it was because the series ridiculed Scientology.
PHOTOS: Isaac Hayes – Life in pictures (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
The “That ‘70s Show” alum has been a member of the church for years, telling Women’s Health in 2007, “Anyone who knows me is just like, ‘Wow, if Laura is a Scientologist, then there has to be something to this.’ When I hear something negative, I don’t get defensive. I know what’s true for me and what works for me.”
The “Orange Is the New Black” star also addressed misconceptions people had about the church and its stance on homosexuality in a 2014 interview with SheKnows. (Richard Shotwell / Invision/AP)
