Celebrities You Had No Idea Were Raised in Extreme Religious Sects

It’s often surprising to discover that several well-known Hollywood stars grew up in very strict religious groups. These groups controlled nearly every part of their lives, from what they wore to how they were educated. This upbringing gave these individuals a unique outlook on life, which often shaped their creativity and helped them become resilient. This explores the stories of several celebrities who moved from these isolated religious communities into the public eye.

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix grew up traveling through South America with his family, who were involved with a religious group called Children of God. His parents initially worked as missionaries for the organization, but they later became disappointed with its methods and returned to the United States. Phoenix has discussed how his parents initially felt they had found a supportive community with shared beliefs. After leaving the group, the family decided to change their last name to Phoenix, representing a fresh start for all of them.

Rose McGowan

Rose McGowan grew up in a European branch of the Children of God, a religious group where her father was a leader. Her family lived in several of the group’s communities before leaving when McGowan was young. She has described it as a very isolated environment with strict rules. McGowan’s father became worried about the direction the group was taking and decided it was no longer a safe place for his children.

Glenn Close

When Glenn Close was seven, her father joined a group called Moral Re Armament, which heavily influenced her life for the next fifteen years. She grew up in communities with strict rules, where members had to give up their independence and follow the group’s leaders. Close has spoken about how this unusual upbringing affected her understanding of acting and people’s minds. At twenty-two, she left the group to focus on her acting career.

David Arquette

David Arquette was raised in Skymont Subud, a community in Virginia founded by his parents and others involved in a spiritual movement. This community intentionally lived differently from mainstream society, focusing on a particular spiritual practice. Growing up, David and his siblings lived a communal lifestyle centered around shared spiritual beliefs, rather than traditional family structures. He’s talked about how this upbringing encouraged his creativity, but also made it difficult to develop his own sense of self.

Patricia Arquette

Patricia Arquette grew up with her siblings in the Skymont Subud commune. For much of her childhood, the family lived a simple life without electricity or plumbing. She’s described it as a beautiful but isolated experience, being part of a secluded religious group. This upbringing deeply impacted her and shaped how she later approached her career in the entertainment industry.

Rosanna Arquette

Rosanna Arquette grew up in the Skymont Subud commune with her family. Life in the commune, which included group prayer and a different way of living than most people, deeply affected her. She’s talked about it being a difficult but important experience that helped shape her as an artist. Later, she left the commune and became a well-known actress in independent films.

Leah Remini

Leah Remini grew up in the Church of Scientology, joining as a child with her mother. She fully committed to the church’s beliefs and rose to a prominent position, becoming a well-known public face for many years. After decades as a member, she publicly left, raising concerns about how the organization was run and how it treated people. Since then, she’s focused her work on sharing the stories of others who have left Scientology through documentaries and other projects.

Elisabeth Moss

I’ve always been fascinated by Elisabeth Moss, and I know she grew up with Scientology and continues to practice it. She’s mentioned a few times how the principles she learned helped her stay grounded and focused, which is amazing considering how intense her career in TV and film is. She doesn’t really talk about her beliefs in detail, but she’s said her upbringing really shaped how she sees the world. It’s interesting to me, especially when you consider the roles she takes – like in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ – and how that all connects to her life.

Beck

Beck grew up in a Scientology household and was a member of the organization for most of his adult life. He previously credited Scientology with helping him navigate life and providing support as his music career took off. However, he recently announced he’s no longer a Scientologist, and is now focused on his music and moving away from the religion he was raised with.

Juliette Lewis

Juliette Lewis was raised in a family deeply involved with Scientology, and she herself became an active member as a teenager. She often speaks positively about the organization, crediting it with helping her through difficult times and supporting her mental wellbeing when she was starting her career. Over the years, the actress and singer has consistently and publicly defended her beliefs, and continues to apply the principles she learned in childhood to her life today.

Giovanni Ribisi

Giovanni Ribisi grew up in a Scientology household, as both his parents were dedicated members. He and his siblings were involved with the organization from a young age, and he credits the discipline he learned through Scientology with helping him succeed as an actor. He continues to be an active member and frequently attends Scientology events with other well-known figures.

Lisa Marie Presley

After Elvis Presley’s death, Lisa Marie Presley became involved with Scientology through her mother, Priscilla. She was a committed member for many years, supporting the organization with various charitable projects. Later in life, she reportedly grew away from Scientology and voiced concerns about some of its methods. Her children were initially raised learning about Scientology’s beliefs before the family’s involvement lessened.

Christopher Masterson

Christopher Masterson was raised in a family deeply connected to the Church of Scientology, and he continues to be a member. While he’s best known as an actor, particularly for his role in ‘Malcolm in the Middle,’ he generally keeps his faith private. He and his siblings were brought up following the Church’s teachings and way of life, a practice shared by many other members of his family.

Danny Masterson

Danny Masterson grew up deeply involved in Scientology and became well-known as a young actor on ‘That ’70s Show’. For many years, the organization was central to both his personal life and career. Scientology’s rules and how it handles internal disputes became a key issue during his recent legal case. Throughout the proceedings, church leaders consistently stood by him until he was ultimately found guilty and sentenced.

Erika Christensen

Erika Christensen grew up in a family deeply involved in Scientology and has always been a dedicated member. She’s shared that her religious upbringing gave her a strong sense of meaning and a solid set of values. The actress frequently speaks out to correct misunderstandings about Scientology and what it believes. She remains a visible part of the Scientology community while also continuing to work as an actress in Hollywood.

Riley Keough

I’ve always been fascinated by Riley Keough – not just because she’s Elvis Presley’s granddaughter, but also because of the unique way she was raised. Her mom was deeply involved with Scientology, and Riley grew up attending schools and events connected to the church. While she doesn’t talk about it much now, it definitely shaped her childhood and teenage years. It’s something people have been curious about for a long time, considering her family’s connection to the organization.

River Phoenix

River Phoenix grew up as the oldest child in a family involved with the Children of God, a religious group. During his childhood, the family lived in missions throughout Latin America, and River often busked – played music on the streets – to earn money for the group. Eventually, the Phoenix family left the organization when they learned about its problematic beliefs and leadership. These experiences shaped River into a passionate activist and instilled in him a strong desire to protect his younger siblings.

Rain Phoenix

Growing up, Rain Phoenix also lived within the Children of God community and traveled a lot with her family. Just like her brothers, she was fully involved in the group’s daily life and religious practices. Once the family moved to the US, she really threw herself into music and acting, putting the constraints of her childhood behind her. She’s stayed incredibly close to her siblings, and we’ve all been navigating and understanding what it meant to grow up the way we did together.

Summer Phoenix

Summer Phoenix grew up as the youngest member of the Phoenix family while they were involved with the Children of God. She spent her earliest years living within the group’s shared community before her parents brought the family back to the United States. Similar to her siblings, she was raised emphasizing spirituality and community over conventional ways of life. Later, she joined her brothers and sisters in pursuing a career in entertainment, where she became a successful actress and model.

Emily Armstrong

Emily Armstrong grew up in the Church of Scientology and has strong family and social connections to the organization. When she became the new singer for Linkin Park, her background attracted public attention. Fans and the media have researched her history with the church, including her presence at Scientology events. While she generally keeps her personal beliefs to herself, she’s been focusing on adapting to her new position as the lead singer of the well-known rock band.

Alanna Masterson

Alanna Masterson, known for her role in ‘The Walking Dead,’ grew up in a family heavily involved with the Church of Scientology and continues to be an active member. The church has been a significant part of her life, shaping her relationships and even influencing her career. She often credits her community within the church for helping her through the difficulties of working in the entertainment industry.

Jaina Lee Ortiz

Jaina Lee Ortiz grew up in the Church of Scientology and has been a member since childhood. Best known for her role as a lead in the TV series ‘Station 19’, she’s actively participated in church events throughout her life. Ortiz has said her upbringing gave her a strong support system and helped her thrive in the challenging world of acting. Her connection to the church remains important to her personally and defines who she is outside of her career.

Ethan Suplee

Ethan Suplee grew up in a family deeply involved with Scientology, and the organization heavily influenced his childhood and early adult years. As he began his acting career in Hollywood, its principles were always present in his life. Later, he chose to leave Scientology and has since prioritized his health and career. His story highlights the difficulties people face when moving from a strict religious upbringing to a more conventional life.

Jason Dohring

Jason Dohring grew up in a Scientology family and continues to be a member today. Best known for his role in ‘Veronica Mars,’ he regularly participates in church events. Dohring has said that Scientology’s principles have helped him stay balanced throughout his career, and he’s raising his children within the same faith.

Please share your thoughts on these celebrity upbringings in the comments.

2026-03-16 15:24