Inside ScientologyCreated by American science fiction novelist L. Ron Hubbard in 1954, often called a cult, Scientology is one of the most fascinating and controversial religions of the modern age.
There are plenty of Scientologist actors, like Tom Cruise - but who are the famous Scientologists who have left the organization? This list contains information about famous ex-Scientologists, loosely ranked by fame and popularity. Several prominent figures in Hollywood were once members of the Church of Scientology. Some of these celebrities were raised as Scientologists, while other stars joined later in life, before ultimately deciding to leave.Â
Who is the most famous former Scientologist? Nicole Kidman was a member of the Church of Scientology when she was married to Tom Cruise from 1990-2001. She has since been labeled as Roman Catholic. Cruise's ex-wives Katie Holmes and Mimi Rogers also left Scientology.
Author Neil Gaiman was raised in the Church of Scientology, but he no longer believes in organized religion. When asked about the existence of God, Gaiman said, "I don't know, I think there's probably a 50/50 chance. It doesn't really matter to me."
Some people leaving Scientology do it quietly, while others are happy to document their experiences, like Leah Remini. She discussed the process in her documentary, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. Read more about celebrities who have left the Church of Scientology below.Â
“I’m no longer practicing Scientology. I’ve always been very open-minded, even since I was a child. I was raised Catholic and Jewish. I’ve prayed in churches, meditated in temples. I’ve studied Chinese meridian theory. I haven’t practiced Scientology in close to five years and it’s no longer part of my life," she told People. Now, she's more into meditating with her husband, fellow actor Ben Foster, she said, adding, “We meditate daily, and I’m really liking it, because it’s something that helps me to hear my own voice and it’s something we can do together."
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Nicole Kidman was a member of the Church of Scientology when she was married to Tom Cruise from 1990-2001. She has since been labeled as Roman Catholic.
Katie Holmes was a member of the Church of Scientology when she was married to Tom Cruise from 2006-2012. After the couple divorced, she returned to the Catholic Church.
Demi Moore was reportedly a member of the Church of Scientology in the early 1980s, but she left when she married Bruce Willis in 1987. Willis allegedly did not want his children to be raised in the Church.
Jeffrey Tambor dabbled in Scientology in 2007, but the following year he said that he was not a Scientologist. He explained, "I took some Scientology classes at one time, studied Scientology for a while, but no more. I have nothing against it, but I am no longer a Scientologist."
