List of Scientologists - Former Members

Former Members

Name Lifetime Notes
Anderson, LarryLarry Anderson 1952– Actor, star of Orientation: A Scientology Information Film, left the organization in 2009 and requested his money back.
Beghe, JasonJason Beghe 1960– Actor, rose to Operating Thetan level OT V within the organization, left Scientology and subsequently spoke out publicly against the organization in 2008.
Bornstein, KateKate Bornstein 1948– Transgender author, playwright, performance artist and gender theorist, was a spokesperson for Scientology.
Brodie, JohnJohn Brodie 1935– American football player. Credited Dianetics with his recovery from a sports injury; left after some of his friends "were expelled and harassed during a power struggle with church management."
Burroughs, William S.William S. Burroughs 1914–1997 Burroughs was an author and poet. In the 1960s Burroughs joined and left the Church of Scientology. In talking about the experience, he claimed that the techniques and philosophy of Scientology helped him and that he felt that further study into Scientology would produce great results. He was skeptical of the organization itself, and felt that it fostered an environment that did not accept critical discussion. His subsequent critical writings about the church and his review of Inside Scientology by Robert Kaufman led to a battle of letters between Burroughs and Scientology supporters in the pages of Rolling Stone magazine. He wrote the book, Ali's Smile: Naked Scientology.
Canova, DianaDiana Canova 1953– Actress. Is critical of Scientology's "straightforward" desire for money.
Christman, ToryTory Christman 1947– Whistleblower, and critic of the Scientology organization.
DeGrimston, RobertRobert DeGrimston 1935– With wife, Marry Anne DeGrimston, founder of The Process Church of The Final Judgment.
Gale, PhilipPhilip Gale 1978–1998 Massachusetts Institute of Technology student and primary developer of EarthLink's innovative ISP software; committed suicide.
Haggis, PaulPaul Haggis 1953– Film director, Academy Award winner, in response to the San Diego branch's public support of California Proposition 8 and other factors, including Scientology's "indefensible actions, and inactions" and lies.
Hunter, RobertRobert Hunter 1941– Lyricist.
Jarreau, AlAl Jarreau 1940– Singer. Listed among "A list" members of Scientology, in a 2006 article in The Boston Globe.
Manson, CharlesCharles Manson 1934– Identified as a Scientologist during time in prison. Manson studied Scientology while incarcerated. He incorporated Scientology doctrines in his teachings. He ordered Manson Family member Bruce Davis to journey to the United Kingdom and work for the Scientology organization in London.
Offer, VinceVince Offer 1964– Film director of The Underground Comedy Movie and pitchman for Shamwow!.
Presley, Lisa MarieLisa Marie Presley 1968– Singer.
Twitchell, PaulPaul Twitchell 1908–1971 Spiritual writer and founder of Eckankar. Joined Scientology and achieved the status of "Clear".

Read more about this topic:  List Of Scientologists

Famous quotes containing the word members:

    “The state of society is one in which the members have suffered amputation from the trunk, and strut about so many walking monsters,—a good finger, a neck, a stomach, an elbow, but never a man.”
    —Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    “I believe that the members of my family must be as free from suspicion as from actual crime.”
    —Julius Caesar [Gaius Julius Caesar] (100–44 B.C.)