Stars Who Found a Completely New Spiritual Path Later in Life

It’s common for celebrities who initially focus on wealth and fame to later find that material success doesn’t bring lasting happiness. As they get older, many begin exploring spirituality – through religion, meditation, or other practices – in search of deeper meaning. Sometimes this is sparked by a partner’s beliefs, and other times it’s a personal awakening that changes how they see the world. These changes often lead to public shifts in their lifestyles, and the people below are examples of stars who found new faiths later in life, reshaping who they are.

George Harrison

Though the Beatles were known for trying new things musically, one member became deeply committed to Hinduism after the band broke up. He adopted the Hare Krishna faith, became a vegetarian, and began using Indian instruments in his songs. His friendship with Ravi Shankar and trips to India greatly shaped his spiritual journey. Eventually, he even purchased a large estate and gave it to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Julia Roberts

This award-winning actress, who grew up Catholic and Baptist, discovered Hinduism while filming ‘Eat Pray Love’ in India. She’s since shared that she regularly practices the faith, visiting temples with her family to chant, pray, and celebrate. She explained that she was drawn to Hinduism as a way to find inner peace and stability amidst the often-chaotic world of acting. It was a deeply personal spiritual journey, not influenced by anyone else or by a desire to please others.

Richard Gere

Initially raised in the Methodist church, this prominent actor became interested in Eastern philosophy during his twenties. After traveling to Nepal and India, he met the Dalai Lama and embraced Buddhism. Since then, he’s become a strong public voice for Tibetan independence and human rights, and his Buddhist faith deeply influences his everyday life and his dedication to humanitarian work.

Tina Turner

As a huge Tina Turner fan, I always admired her strength, and learning about her spiritual journey really shed light on where it came from. During her incredibly tough marriage to Ike, she found Buddhism, specifically chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. She used it to find the courage to leave and completely start over – honestly, it saved her life. She stuck with it for decades, saying it helped her clear her head and get rid of negative energy. It was a huge part of her wellbeing right up until she passed, and I think it’s amazing how she turned to something so positive during such a dark time.

Madonna

Despite being raised Catholic, Madonna became widely known for her involvement with the Kabbalah Centre in the late 1990s. She started studying Jewish mysticism and took on the Hebrew name Esther as she explored her spirituality. This interest in Kabbalah impacted her music, her children’s books, and her charity work in Malawi. While some criticized her understanding of the teachings, she continued to dedicate herself to its study.

Tom Cruise

I first learned about Scientology through the actor’s first wife, Mimi Rogers, back in the late 80s. He’s always said it really helped him with his dyslexia, and he’s become a huge supporter ever since. He believes the techniques he learned there were key to his success in Hollywood and helped him cope with everything that comes with being famous. It’s definitely been a controversial topic, but he always insists that Scientology changed his life for the better.

Prince

The celebrated musician grew up Baptist but became a Jehovah’s Witness in 2001, largely thanks to the influence of another musician, Larry Graham. He fully embraced the faith, even going door-to-door in Minneapolis to discuss his beliefs with people in the neighborhood. This commitment also led him to change his song lyrics and stop performing his more suggestive material live.

Sinéad O’Connor

The Irish singer had a well-known, often challenging relationship with the Catholic Church, which led her to study different religious beliefs. In 2018, she converted to Islam and took the name Shuhada’ Sadaqat, explaining that this felt like a logical step for anyone deeply interested in theology. She wore a hijab and continued making music and performing, expressing her evolving spirituality, until her passing.

Dave Chappelle

The well-known comedian became a Muslim as a teenager in 1991, but he generally kept his religious beliefs to himself for many years. He’s explained that Islam is an important and positive part of his life, but he avoids talking about it publicly to stay out of the spotlight. He even turned down a very lucrative TV deal to travel to South Africa and strengthen his spiritual connection. He believes his faith has guided him through the difficult ethical challenges of working in Hollywood.

Alice Cooper

This musician, famous for his shocking stage shows and dramatic performances, overcame a severe battle with alcoholism through his Christian faith. Though raised by a pastor, he distanced himself from religion as his career took off. He rediscovered his faith in the 1980s and has been a regular churchgoer ever since, dedicating himself to helping others fight addiction. He keeps his wild stage image separate from his personal beliefs, seeing his faith as essential to his continued sobriety.

Bob Dylan

The singer, a well-known figure in folk music, surprised many fans when he became an Evangelical Christian in the late 1970s. He then released three gospel albums, starting with ‘Slow Train Coming,’ which caused some of his longtime fans to lose interest. He deeply studied the Bible at the Vineyard School of Discipleship and even preached during his concerts. Though he later stopped openly trying to convert people, this time clearly changed the religious themes in his songs.

Russell Brand

This British comedian and actor used to be known for enjoying a very lavish lifestyle. However, while recovering from addiction, he turned to spirituality. He tried different practices like transcendental meditation and Hinduism before being baptized as a Christian in the River Thames in 2024. He often talks about how believing in something greater than yourself is essential for overcoming personal struggles and the desire for possessions. Now, his work largely focuses on spiritual growth and challenging the way society is structured.

Shia LaBeouf

The actor, who began his career as a child star, became Catholic while preparing to play Padre Pio in a 2022 film. He studied the life of the Capuchin friar and was particularly moved by the traditional Latin Mass. He believes this newfound faith helped him through a very difficult period in his life, involving personal and legal challenges. He has since been formally confirmed in the Catholic Church and hopes to eventually become a deacon.

Kat Von D

The tattoo artist, who is also known from reality TV, used to be fascinated by dark and spooky themes. However, she recently became a Christian and publicly shared her baptism in 2023. She even posted videos of herself getting rid of books about witchcraft and tarot cards. While some of her longtime fans who enjoy darker styles were upset, she explained that she wants to create a loving and positive environment for herself and her family. Now, her social media is filled with gospel music and updates about going to church.

Orlando Bloom

In 2004, the British actor officially embraced Buddhism, joining the Soka Gakkai International community in London. He follows Nichiren Buddhism, a practice centered around chanting to help individuals reach their full potential and work towards a more peaceful world. He’s shared that this philosophy keeps him balanced and helps him navigate the challenges of fame. He regularly practices his faith, and has often been spotted with prayer beads while filming.

Leonard Cohen

The well-known poet and songwriter left the music scene in the 1990s to become a Zen Buddhist monk. For five years, he lived at the Mount Baldy Zen Center near Los Angeles, assisting his teacher, Roshi. He adopted the name Jikan, meaning ‘silence,’ and dedicated his time to cooking and meditation. This quiet period renewed his creativity, allowing him to return to touring successfully even in his seventies.

Elizabeth Taylor

The iconic actress grew up in the Christian Science religion but became Jewish in 1959. While the timing was close to her marriage to Eddie Fisher, she explained it was a deeply personal choice she’d been considering for years. She chose the Hebrew name Elisheba and dedicated her life to supporting Jewish communities and Israel. Her funeral was held according to Jewish traditions.

Marilyn Monroe

The famous actress converted to Judaism in 1956, before her marriage to playwright Arthur Miller. She took the time to study Jewish traditions with a rabbi and wanted to raise her children within the faith. Even after her divorce from Miller, she remained committed to Judaism. Years later, her personal prayer book sold for a large amount of money, and it showed her heartfelt notes and devotion to the religion.

Sammy Davis Jr.

The legendary entertainer converted to Judaism several years after losing his left eye in a car accident. He found comfort in the history of the Jewish people and felt a kinship with their resilience against oppression. He studied extensively before formally converting and famously refused to work on Yom Kippur. He often joked about being a “one-eyed Jewish Negro” and used his platform to bridge cultural gaps.

Stephen Baldwin

After the 9/11 attacks, the youngest of the Baldwin brothers found faith and became a Christian. He says a Brazilian housekeeper, who often sang religious songs around his house, played a key role in his spiritual journey. Since then, he’s become an outspoken advocate for his faith and has made films with religious themes. His beliefs have sometimes led to disagreements with his brothers and his daughter, Hailey Bieber.

Chris Tucker

Following his success in the ‘Rush Hour’ movies, the comedian decided to prioritize his Christian faith and took a step back from public life. He reportedly declined many lucrative film offers because they didn’t fit with his values. He also cleaned up his language in his comedy shows and became much more careful about the roles he chose, believing his spiritual life is more important than his career.

Brian ‘Head’ Welch

The guitarist from the band Korn left in 2005 to focus on his Christian faith. He had battled serious drug addiction and depression, and found hope through religion. He then began creating and releasing Christian music on his own and wrote books about his transformation from a life of rock and roll to one of spiritual peace. He later returned to Korn, but continued to live by his faith and share his experiences with fans.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Originally named Lew Alcindor, the basketball legend embraced Islam in his early twenties and adopted a new name. Inspired by Malcolm X’s autobiography, he wanted a spiritual path that would link him to his African roots. The conversion made headlines and drew some criticism, but he has since become a well-known author and speaker, often sharing the peaceful principles of Islam.

Muhammad Ali

The world was stunned when the heavyweight boxing champion announced his conversion to the Nation of Islam and changed his name from Cassius Clay, rejecting what he considered a name imposed by slavery. Later in life, he adopted mainstream Sunni Islam and eventually found spiritual connection with Sufism. His strong religious beliefs led him to refuse military service during the Vietnam War. He then became a renowned global advocate for peace, using his platform to champion understanding and acceptance between different faiths.

Mike Tyson

The boxing champion became a Muslim while in prison during the 1990s. He chose the name Malik Abdul Aziz, but continued to fight under his well-known ring name. He’s made the pilgrimage to Mecca to perform Umrah and has often discussed how Islam brought structure to his life. He believes his faith helped him achieve stability after years of struggling with difficult behavior.

Jermaine Jackson

After visiting Bahrain in 1989, the singer from the Jackson 5 embraced Islam. He’d been searching for deeper meaning in life and felt Christianity hadn’t provided the answers he needed. He’s said that Islam brought him peace of mind and a feeling of security. He continues to practice the faith and has often spoken out to correct misunderstandings about it in the news.

Janet Jackson

I’ve always been fascinated by Janet Jackson’s journey, and I was so interested to learn that she embraced Islam after marrying Wissam Al Mana back in 2012. It was really beautiful to see her shift towards more modest clothing on stage and move away from the really provocative image she’d previously cultivated. I remember noticing how she started ending her concerts with ‘Inshallah,’ and she often talked about finding a genuine peace within herself. Even after their split, she seems to have kept that same sense of calm and privacy, which I really admire.

Steven Seagal

In the late 1990s, a prominent Buddhist teacher identified the action movie star as a tulku – a reincarnated lama. This meant people believed he was the rebirth of a lama who revealed hidden treasures in the 17th century. Since then, he’s taught Aikido and meditation and has been a supporter of Buddhist organizations. While his position as a lama has sparked some debate within the Buddhist community, he continues to practice his faith.

Herbie Hancock

Since 1972, this renowned jazz musician has practiced Nichiren Buddhism. He believes this practice has unlocked his creativity, helped him break through artistic challenges, and broadened his musical horizons. He’s also a member of the International Committee of Artists for Peace and frequently discusses how the spontaneity of jazz improvisation connects with the Buddhist idea of mindfulness – fully experiencing the present moment.

Patrick Duffy

The actor best known for ‘Dallas’ began practicing Nichiren Buddhism in the early 1970s after his future wife introduced him to it. He’s said that chanting helped him deal with the devastating loss of his parents, who were murdered in 1986. He continues to be involved with Soka Gakkai International, even hosting gatherings to support others. He feels the practice keeps him feeling young and optimistic.

Adam Yauch

Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch, a key member of the Beastie Boys, embraced Buddhism in the 1990s. This deeply influenced his life, leading him to create the Tibetan Freedom Concerts, which brought significant attention to Tibetan independence. He also wove Buddhist sounds and chants into the Beastie Boys’ music, especially on their album ‘Ill Communication’. He remained committed to his Buddhist practice until he passed away from cancer in 2012.

Ashton Kutcher

The actor grew up Catholic but later became involved with the Kabbalah Centre in Los Angeles, a place where he found a new spiritual path. Starting in the early 2000s, he embraced Kabbalah, a form of Jewish mysticism, and often wore a red string bracelet associated with the practice. He shared this with his then-wife, Demi Moore, and together they traveled to Israel to learn more. He still uses the lessons he’s learned in his personal life and work.

Demi Moore

The actress started learning Kabbalah with her then-partner and discovered it gave her useful ways to deal with everyday life. She believed this spiritual practice helped her understand herself and her relationships better. She dedicated herself to studying it and regularly attended services with her family. Kabbalah was an important part of her life throughout her marriage to Ashton Kutcher and continued to help her grow as a person afterward.

Snoop Dogg

The famous rapper has openly explored different spiritual beliefs over the years, including the Nation of Islam and Rastafarianism. He even visited Jamaica in 2012 and playfully suggested he was the reincarnation of Bob Marley, briefly calling himself Snoop Lion. More recently, he released a gospel album called ‘Bible of Love’ and talked about his faith in Christianity. It seems his spiritual path is always changing and growing as he continues to find new ways to express himself.

Jane Fonda

The actress became a Christian in the early 2000s, after years of not being religious. She said she felt a powerful connection that inspired her to learn about the Bible and ultimately join a church. This change in her life created conflict with her husband at the time, Ted Turner, who didn’t support religion. Now, she sees her faith as empowering for women and combines it with her work as a political activist.

Isla Fisher

Before marrying comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, the Australian actress formally converted to Judaism. This involved three years of study, and she chose the Hebrew name Ayala. She finds the religion deeply meaningful, particularly appreciating its focus on family and tradition. She and her husband maintain a kosher household and observe the Sabbath with their children.

Zooey Deschanel

The actress grew up with parents of different faiths – her mother was Quaker and her father Catholic – but wasn’t raised in a particularly religious home. Before her marriage to producer Jacob Pechenik in 2015, she chose to convert to Judaism, explaining that she was drawn to the culture and wanted to share the faith with her partner. Even though the marriage later ended, her conversion was a conscious decision to embrace a specific spiritual path as an adult.

Ivanka Trump

The former president’s daughter grew up Presbyterian but became Orthodox Jewish in 2009. She seriously studied Judaism in order to marry Jared Kushner and chose the Hebrew name Yael. She faithfully observes the Sabbath, meaning she turns off her phone and avoids work from Friday evening to Saturday night. She’s said this practice helps her disconnect from the busyness of life and spend quality time with her family.

Ye

This rapper has always touched on religious ideas in his songs, but in 2019, he experienced a profound religious awakening. He began hosting weekly Sunday Service gatherings with gospel music and spiritual messages. He declared he would focus solely on religious music, and then released the album ‘Jesus Is King’. He often talks about his conviction that he’s doing God’s work.

Daddy Yankee

In 2023, the popular Reggaeton singer surprised his fans by announcing he was leaving music to devote himself to his faith. At his last concert in Puerto Rico, he explained that true fulfillment comes from living with purpose, not just achieving success. He shared religious verses and stated he would now use his wealth and platform to spread his beliefs. Since then, he’s removed all non-religious content from his social media, signaling his commitment to this new direction.

M.I.A.

The British rapper, known for her outspoken and often controversial political views, shared in 2022 that she had a religious conversion and now identifies as a born-again Christian. She described a powerful vision of Jesus that profoundly changed her life. While recognizing this new faith might distance her from some of her fans who lean progressive, she felt compelled to be honest about her beliefs. Her music and art now reflect these Christian themes and imagery.

Goldie Hawn

Though she grew up Jewish, the actress has practiced Buddhism and mindfulness for decades, starting in the 1970s. She started the Hawn Foundation to teach mindfulness to children in schools, helping them cope with stress. While she still respects her Jewish background, she mainly follows Buddhist teachings. She believes meditation has been key to her happiness and clear thinking throughout her career.

Ellen Burstyn

The Academy Award-winning actress was raised Catholic, but later in life, around age thirty, she became interested in Sufi Islam. She studied with a teacher named Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan and took the name Hadiya. She considers herself a spiritual person and blends Sufi practices with other mystical traditions. She often explains that this wide range of spiritual experiences helps her connect with and portray a variety of characters.

Sharon Stone

A serious health scare in 2001 prompted the actress to explore spirituality more deeply. Though she initially experimented with Scientology, she eventually embraced Tibetan Buddhism, which she credits with helping her heal after a stroke and learn to forgive. Today, she lives by principles of compassion and karma.

Courtney Love

The singer, a defining figure of the grunge era, began practicing Nichiren Buddhism in 1989, finding it during a challenging period. She chants “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” every day and believes this practice helped her cope with the loss of Kurt Cobain and overcome her personal battles with addiction. She’s openly said she wouldn’t have survived without it. Despite a sometimes turbulent life, this practice has remained a consistent source of strength and stability for her.

Kate Bosworth

The actress discovered Nichiren Buddhism in her twenties thanks to an ex-boyfriend. She found that chanting brought a new sense of inner peace, and she now uses it to focus on what she wants to achieve and cope with the stress of auditions. She’s often talked about how important it is to have a strong spiritual foundation, especially when working in the often-turbulent film industry.

2026-01-30 03:26