20. Scientology is Much More Prevalent in Hollywood Than You Know

We all know the big names in Hollywood Scientology. Tom Cruise is always vocal about his support for the controversial movement, and John Travolta was an early convert back in the 70s.

Kirstie Alley, Elizabeth Moss, and Giovanni Ribisi round out some of the more prominent names associated with the group, whose membership has been dwindling in recent years.

That does not mean the scientologists are anywhere near extinction in Hollywood, however. There are more than a few powerful people in Tinsel Town with thetans on their minds.

Chief among the “secret” scientologists is Will Smith. Among the biggest, most beloved film stars in history, Will Smith began speaking favorably about the movement in 2006, claiming they had some ideas that were “brilliant and revolutionary”. He’s always denied that he’s an active participant, though he did donate over a million dollars towards founding a private school in California based on scientologist education principles.

Musician Beck and news anchorman Matt Lauer are both loosely connected to prominent scientologists, as is fantasy author Neil Gaiman, who was raised in a prominent scientologist family. Does any of this matter? Maybe not. These celebrities continue to turn out work that entertains millions of people.

But with all the secrecy and controversy surrounding the world’s most divisive religion, it’s worth knowing exactly how deep this rabbit hole goes.