Slideshow · Entertainment
15 Celebrities Who Converted to New Religions
From Hollywood icons to boxing legends—15 stars who embraced a new faith.
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15. Russell Brand — Baptized In The River Thames
After years of exploring Eastern mysticism, Russell Brand announced his conversion to Christianity in April 2024. Immersed in the River Thames by adventurer Bear Grylls, Brand began publicly praying the Rosary and studying Catholic saints, describing the baptism as an overwhelming spiritual surrender.
14. Shia LaBeouf — Confirmed Into The Catholic Church
Preparing to play Italian mystic Padre Pio in Abel Ferrara's 2022 biopic, Shia LaBeouf moved into a California Capuchin Franciscan friary. Immersed in the Traditional Latin Mass and mentored by Bishop Robert Barron, the actor formally entered the Catholic Church on December 31, 2023.
13. Isla Fisher — Completed Three Years Of Study To Convert To Judaism
Before marrying British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen in Paris in 2010, Australian actress Isla Fisher dedicated three years to rigorous rabbinical study. She formally converted to Judaism in early 2007, taking the Hebrew name Ayala—meaning "doe"—and has spoken warmly about observing Shabbat and Jewish holidays.
12. Ivanka Trump — Converted To Orthodox Judaism In 2009
Raised Presbyterian in Manhattan, Ivanka Trump studied for over a year under Orthodox Rabbi Haskel Lookstein before marrying Jared Kushner in October 2009. Adopting the Hebrew name Yael, she keeps a kosher home and observes the Friday-to-Saturday Sabbath by turning off electronics with her family.
11. Orlando Bloom — Joined Soka Gakkai Nichiren Buddhism At Age 19
After suffering a severe spinal injury at 21 and feeling overwhelmed by his sudden rise to fame in The Lord of the Rings, Orlando Bloom deepened his practice of Nichiren Buddhism. Inducted into Soka Gakkai International in 2004, Bloom chants "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" daily in front of his personal Gohonzon scroll.
10. Richard Gere — Devoted Student Of Tibetan Buddhism
Searching for meaning in his early twenties, Richard Gere studied Zen Buddhism for six years before traveling to Nepal in 1978, where he met Tibetan monks and the 14th Dalai Lama. He became a devoted practitioner of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism and co-founded Tibet House US in 1987.
9. Julia Roberts — Embraced Hinduism After Filming In India
While filming Eat Pray Love in Pataudi, India, in 2009, Julia Roberts deepened a spiritual fascination sparked years earlier upon seeing a photo of Hindu saint Neem Karoli Baba. In August 2010, the Oscar winner told Elle that she and her family regularly attend Hindu temples to chant and pray.
8. A.R. Rahman — Converted To Sufi Islam In 1989
Born A.S. Dileep Kumar in Chennai, India, the future Slumdog Millionaire composer lost his father at age nine. When his younger sister fell gravely ill in the late 1980s, the family sought guidance from Sufi master Karimullah Shah Qadri. After her recovery in 1989, he converted to Sufi Islam as A.R. Rahman.
7. Dave Chappelle — Converted To Sunni Islam At Age 17
Growing up in Washington, D.C., where his grandfather was an African Methodist Episcopal bishop, teenager Dave Chappelle frequented a pizza parlor across the street from his home. Inspired by the warmth and principles of the Muslim employees who explained their faith, he converted to Sunni Islam in 1991.
6. Madonna — Adopted The Name Esther Studying Kabbalah
Introduced to the Kabbalah Centre in Los Angeles while pregnant with her daughter Lourdes in 1996, Madonna immersed herself in the esoteric tradition of Jewish mysticism. Though she did not formally convert to rabbinical Judaism, she took the Hebrew name Esther and donated millions to Kabbalah schools.
5. Marilyn Monroe — Converted To Judaism In July 1956
Raised in Christian Science foster homes, Marilyn Monroe studied under Rabbi Robert Goldburg before marrying playwright Arthur Miller on July 1, 1956. Her conversion prompted Egypt to ban her films, yet even after divorcing Miller in 1961, Monroe told Rabbi Goldburg she remained proudly committed to Judaism.
4. Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) — Converted To Islam In 1977
Caught in a Pacific riptide off Malibu in 1976, singer Cat Stevens prayed to God to save his life. Soon after, his brother David gifted him a Quran from Jerusalem. On December 23, 1977, he formally embraced Islam at London Central Mosque, taking the name Yusuf Islam and stepping away from pop music for decades.
3. Mike Tyson — Embraced Islam In Prison In The 1990s
While serving three years at the Indiana Youth Center between 1992 and 1995, former undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson studied the Quran with educator Muhammad Siddeeq and converted to Islam, adopting the name Malik Abdul Aziz. He later traveled to Mecca in 2010 and 2022 to perform Umrah.
2. Tom Cruise — Joined The Church Of Scientology In 1986
At age 14, Tom Cruise briefly attended a Franciscan seminary in Cincinnati with hopes of becoming a Catholic priest. Everything changed in 1986 when his first wife, actress Mimi Rogers, introduced him to the Church of Scientology. Crediting L. Ron Hubbard's Study Tech with overcoming dyslexia, he became its top star.
1. Muhammad Ali — Embraced Islam After Winning Title In 1964
On February 26, 1964—the morning after shocking Sonny Liston to win the world heavyweight title—22-year-old Cassius Clay announced his conversion to Islam, declaring Cassius Clay his "slave name" and becoming Muhammad Ali. In 1975, Ali transitioned to Sunni Islam and later studied Sufi mysticism.
