From its founding days, Scientology has relied on celebrity recruitment to create a positive public opinion of the organization. We look at some of Scientology's best know celebrity members and the controversies surrounding them.
1. Tom Cruise
Getty Images/Kevin WinterTom Cruise is inarguably the most famous celebrity Scientologist. Tom was introduced to Scientology by former wife Mimi Rogers, and credited it with helping him overcome dyslexia.
Tom was quiet about his membership in the church until 2004, when he made controversial comments excoriating actor Brooke Shields for using anti-depressant medications, after which he was dogged in the media for being insensitive.
In January, 2008, an internal Church video featuring the actor was leaked onto the internet. The video featured a feverishly enthusiastic Cruise waxing positively about Scientology. Shortly after its appearance, the video was removed via copyright claim by the Church of Scientology, a move that sparked widespread outrage.
2. John Travolta
Vince Bucci/Getty ImagesActor John Travolta joined Scientology as a young actor in 1976. Both he and wife Kelly Preston are devout Scientologists, reportedly donating millions to the Church. Although his membership is not as controversial as Cruise's, Travolta has not escaped controversy. Travolta has been criticized for treating his probably autistic son Jett with vitamins in accordance with Scientology doctrines instead of approved therapies. Additionally, persistent rumours surround the married star's sexuality[p]In 2003, former Scientologist Michael Pattison brought a lawsuit against both the organization and the actor, claiming that the COS had promised to "cure" his homosexuality, and that Travolta had been proffered as a "success story."
3. Kirstie Alley
Former Cheers actress Kirstie Alley joined Scientology in 1979, through their drug-treatment business Narconon. She has served as a spokesperson for Narconon and for CCHR (Citizen's Commission for Human Rights), a Scientology affiliated antipsychiatry group.
Alley has made donations to Scientology in the millions, and is reputed to have achieved the status of OTVII, the second-highest rank available in Scientology.
4. Jenna (and Bodhi) Elfman
The sitcom star, whose husband is cousin to the famous composer Danny Elfman, hasn't always been well-known for her affiliation with Scientology, but after a few public confrontations (the star is rumored to have demurred a charitable AIDs contribution, saying, "AIDS is a state of mind, not a disease"), she became one of the better known "defenders of the faith."5. Nancy Cartwright
Sitcom star Nancy Cartwright is beloved worldwide, as the voice behind television's Bart Simpson. Kavner is a dedicated Scientologist who has donated millions (reportedly, twice as much as her more famous friend Toim Cruise) to the Church and frequently speaks on behalf of Scientology front groups Narconon and CCHR.6. Danny and Christopher Masterson
These sitcom-star brothers were both raised in the church. Although they are firm defenders of their beliefs, both have remained off the public radar, and so far have managed to avoid controversy altogether.Well-loved soul musician and voice actor Isaac Hayes was a sincere but quiet believer. the singer, best known for pop hits (such as the award-winning "Shaft" theme) was in recent times the voice actor behind the popular "Chef" character on Comedy Central's South Park. The program was well known for poking fun at religion, but Hayes was embroiled in controversy when the show turned its satirical eye on his own faith. According to the show's producers, Hayes quit the show when they refused to kill the episode. It was not revealed until after Hayes' death that the decision might not have been fully voluntary, and longtime friend Roger Friedman revealed that the decision may have been made for him.
