Celebs Who Are Openly Atheist

Many famous actors, directors, and comedians openly share their lack of religious belief, even though public figures often deal with expectations about faith. These celebrities frequently discuss ideas like reason, ethics, and the importance of science in understanding the world. By speaking out, they add to the ongoing discussion about faith and beliefs in today’s society. This list showcases well-known figures who have publicly stated they don’t believe in a higher power, based on interviews and statements they’ve made.

Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais, a British comedian and writer famous for creating the show ‘The Office,’ is also a well-known advocate for atheism and reason. He publicly shares his non-religious beliefs, explaining that he stopped believing in God at a young age and has been an atheist ever since. His comedy specials, like ‘Humanity’ and ‘SuperNature,’ frequently touch on the logical reasons behind his worldview, which is based on evidence and understanding the natural world.

Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Radcliffe, best known for playing Harry Potter in the popular film series, has publicly stated he doesn’t believe in God. In a 2009 interview, he described himself as an atheist, explaining that while he respects the beliefs of others, he personally has no religious faith. He often expresses admiration for thinkers like Richard Dawkins who champion non-religious perspectives, and sees his atheism as stemming from his interest in science and human values.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster, the Academy Award-winning actress and director known for films like ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ and ‘Contact’, has publicly stated she doesn’t believe in God. However, she’s fascinated by religion and its impact on society. While she doesn’t practice any religion herself, Foster teaches her children about different faiths and raises them in a non-religious home. She finds meaning in life through relationships and experiences, not through religion.

Javier Bardem

Javier Bardem, the celebrated Spanish actor known for his role in ‘No Country for Old Men’, is openly non-religious. He famously jokes that he believes in Al Pacino instead of God, highlighting his admiration for human talent and artistic expression. Bardem frequently discusses his secular views in interviews, both in Spain and the United States, and explains that he bases his values on compassion and fairness, not on religion.

Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley, a well-known British actress from films like ‘Pride & Prejudice’ and the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ series, is an atheist. She’s talked about how not being religious affects the way she thinks about right and wrong, and taking responsibility for her actions. She’s even joked that it would be easier to be forgiven if she believed in religion, but she actually prefers the idea of being personally accountable for her choices.

Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry is a well-known English actor, writer, and presenter who is a prominent voice for non-religious viewpoints. He became widely known after a popular interview on ‘The Meaning of Life’ where he questioned the idea of a kind and all-powerful god. Fry frequently speaks at events for Humanists UK, championing logic and scientific thinking. Through his writing and public appearances, he often expresses his doubts about organized religion, focusing on the ethical issues within religious beliefs and the value of human reasoning.

Bill Maher

Bill Maher hosts the political talk show ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ and is a prominent voice for secularism. He examined his perspectives in the 2008 documentary ‘Religulous,’ which offers a critical look at religions around the world. Maher typically describes himself as an apatheist or atheist, believing that religious beliefs can be illogical. Through his comedy, he often questions the role of religion in American politics and society, consistently advocating for a clear division between church and state.

Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore, the Academy Award-winning actress known for films like ‘Still Alice’ and ‘The Hours’, is openly non-religious. When asked what she’d want God to say if she reached heaven, she jokingly responded that it should be a surprise, as she doesn’t believe in God. Moore sees life as a series of chance occurrences, not a predetermined fate, and finds meaning in her family and her work in movies. Throughout her career, she has consistently presented a secular image to the public.

Ian McKellen

As a huge movie fan, I’ve always been captivated by Sir Ian McKellen – Gandalf, Magneto, a true icon! But beyond his incredible roles, I learned he’s been an atheist for a long time, and it really connects to his work as an activist. He’s talked about how religion hasn’t always been kind to LGBTQ+ people, which understandably led him away from faith. He actively supports humanist groups here in the UK, championing things like kindness and personal freedom over strict religious rules. It’s a worldview that really resonates with me, honestly.

Seth MacFarlane

Seth MacFarlane, known for creating the animated show ‘Family Guy’ and the science fiction series ‘The Orville’, is a vocal atheist. He often includes non-religious ideas and criticisms of religion in his TV shows. MacFarlane actively supports secularism through public appearances and donations to groups that encourage science education. He explains his atheism as a rational viewpoint based on how he sees the universe, and champions a world guided by logic and observable facts.

Hugh Laurie

Hugh Laurie, the British actor famous for playing the sarcastic Dr. House on TV, is an atheist. He’s spoken publicly about not believing in God or any overarching plan for the universe. He finds the idea of a deity doesn’t quite fit with how complicated the world is, and instead finds purpose in things like art, music, and connecting with other people.

Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson, the acclaimed British actress and screenwriter famous for films like ‘Sense and Sensibility,’ openly identifies as an atheist and describes her personal philosophy as “libertarian anarchist” when it comes to religion. She believes many organized religions are restrictive and clash with basic human rights. Thompson champions a morality rooted in empathy and compassion, rather than religious doctrine, and her commitment to these secular principles strongly influences her public work on issues like the environment and social justice.

Paul Giamatti

Paul Giamatti, known for his work in films like ‘Sideways’ and the TV show ‘Billions’, has publicly stated he doesn’t believe in God. In an interview with The Guardian, he explained that while he’s interested in the history of religion, he doesn’t hold any supernatural beliefs and is comfortable with the idea of a universe governed by natural laws. Giamatti continues to live and work with a non-religious worldview.

Cillian Murphy

Cillian Murphy, the Irish actor famous for his roles in shows like ‘Peaky Blinders’ and movies like ‘Oppenheimer’, credits his work on the film ‘Sunshine’ with leading him away from religion. While researching the role of a physicist, he began to question his religious upbringing and ultimately embraced atheism. Murphy identifies as a committed atheist, prioritizing reason and artistic pursuits in his personal life. He generally keeps his beliefs private, but has openly acknowledged his secular worldview when directly asked.

Patton Oswalt

Patton Oswalt is a comedian and actor, famous for his work in movies like ‘Ratatouille’ and the TV show ‘The King of Queens’. He openly discusses his atheism in his comedy, often calling himself an atheist. Oswalt has shared that his lack of religious belief grew stronger after the death of his wife, Michelle McNamara. He finds solace in the relationships he has with people in this life, rather than believing in an afterlife. His non-religious views are a common topic in his comedy and public appearances.

John Malkovich

John Malkovich, a well-known actor and director famous for films like ‘Being John Malkovich’ and ‘Dangerous Liaisons,’ has openly stated in interviews that he doesn’t believe in God or follow any religion. He explains this as a conclusion he came to early in life, finding no proof of a higher power and preferring to concentrate on the realities of the physical world. This focus on the human mind and its intricacies is also evident throughout his work as an artist.

Kevin Bacon

Kevin Bacon, the well-known American actor from films like ‘Footloose’ and ‘Mystic River’, has openly shared that he doesn’t believe in God and identifies as an atheist. He grew up in a home that wasn’t very religious and never developed a personal faith. Instead, he relies on his family and his own sense of right and wrong for moral guidance, consistently demonstrating a non-religious perspective.

Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman is a comedian and actress who openly discusses being Jewish without believing in God. Though she feels connected to Jewish culture, she doesn’t believe in a traditional God. She often uses her comedy to question religious beliefs and their influence on American politics, and promotes ethical and social viewpoints based on human reason and compassion. Her performances often point out what she sees as inconsistencies within organized religion.

James Cameron

James Cameron, the director of blockbuster films like ‘Titanic’ and ‘Avatar’, is known for his lack of religious belief, a stance he’s discussed in biographies and interviews. He generally understands the world through science and discovery, not spirituality. This perspective often shows up in his films, which explore the relationships between technology, nature, and people. Cameron consistently advocates for using logic and reason to address the world’s problems.

Björk

Björk, an Icelandic singer and songwriter, is famous for her unique and experimental music and artistic style. Though she identifies as an atheist, she finds spirituality in the natural world – in things like landscapes and the power of nature itself. She doesn’t believe in a traditional god, but feels a sense of wonder when she thinks about how life and the Earth work. These themes of nature, science, and evolution are often found in her songs, and she’s held these beliefs throughout her long career.

Share your thoughts on the impact of celebrity advocacy for secularism in the comments.

2026-02-14 19:47