Which celebrities have been linked to Scientology, and who quit? From Danny Masterson and wife Bijou Phillips, to John Travolta, Katie Holmes and even Elvis Presley’s late daughter Lisa Marie Presley
- Reports of Danny Masterson’s long-time involvement in Scientology have recently surfaced after the actor was sentenced to prison time – so who else joined the controversial church?
- Comedian Jerry Seinfeld The Handmaid’s Tale and star Elisabeth Moss both say the movement’s teaching helped their career – actors Leah Remini, Katie Holmes and Nicole Kidman have quit the ‘cult’
Tom Cruise may be the world’s most recognisable poster child for Scientology, but he’s not the only celebrity who’s known to practice the controversial religion.
Founded in the 1950s by L. Ron Hubbard, the Church of Scientology is described as “a religion that offers a precise path leading 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 and the supreme being”, according to the official website.
Following his recent sentencing, actor and convicted rapist Danny Masterson has been in the spotlight for his links to the movement. And over the years, the movement has been called out for its legitimacy and “cultlike” tendencies. So, which celebrities are part of the group – and which ones have left?
1. Danny Masterson
Masterson has a long history with the church, as his family practised Scientology. He’s been outspoken about it too, defending Tom Cruise when his Scientology video leaked in 2008, and explaining the religion to curious reporters.
“The definition of Scientology is ‘the study of knowledge,’” Masterson said in an interview with Paper magazine. “Obviously, the more knowledge you have in a given field, such as life, the more confident you are as a person.”
Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life earlier this month, after being found guilty of two counts of rape in May.
2. Bijou Phillips
Masterson’s wife, model, actor and daughter of the Mamas & the Papas singer John Phillips, is also a practising Scientologist. The two started dating in 2004, frequenting Scientology events, and have been married since 2011.
3. Alanna Masterson
The Daily Mail reported in 2015 that Masterson’s half-sister, Alanna, who starred on The Walking Dead, is also a Scientologist.
Former Scientologist Joe Reaiche told The Daily Mail that his four kids – Danny Masterson, Alanna Masterson, Jordan Masterson, and Chris Masterson – were “brainwashed” into believing he was a “threat to their faith” after quitting the church himself.