Celebs Who Don’t Believe in God

Many public figures have spoken openly about not believing in God. Some identify as atheists while others describe themselves as agnostic or non religious. The common thread is a clear statement that they do not hold a belief in a deity and they are comfortable sharing that view in interviews and public appearances.

This list brings together well known names from film, television, music, and media who have described their lack of belief in clear terms. You will also find context about their careers and the projects or causes they have supported so you can see how their views fit within their public lives.

Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais has long identified as an atheist and has discussed his views in stand up sets, essays, and interviews. He has said he came to his position through skepticism and science education and he often uses humor to explain why he does not believe in God.

Gervais co created and starred in ‘The Office’ and ‘Extras’ and later made ‘After Life’ for streaming audiences. He has supported animal welfare groups and has spoken in favor of free expression and secular charities.

Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Radcliffe has said in interviews that he does not believe in God and that he grew up without a religious practice. He has described himself as very grateful for a secular upbringing and comfortable with a naturalistic view of the world.

Radcliffe became a household name through ‘Harry Potter’ films and has since worked in theater and independent cinema. He has supported LGBT rights and literacy efforts and has used his platform to back youth mental health organizations.

Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry has called himself an atheist and humanist and has given public talks explaining his position. He has emphasized ethics rooted in empathy and reason rather than theistic faith.

Fry is known for ‘A Bit of Fry and Laurie’ and for hosting ‘QI’. He has served as a patron of humanist groups and mental health organizations and has written books on language and culture.

Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson has described herself as an atheist and has said she was raised in a non religious household. She has noted that moral values can stand on their own without reference to a deity.

Thompson won Academy Awards for ‘Howards End’ and ‘Sense and Sensibility’ and has appeared in ‘Love Actually’ and ‘Saving Mr Banks’. She supports environmental causes and campaigns that address human rights and education.

Hugh Laurie

Hugh Laurie has said he does not believe in God and has discussed this view in interviews while stressing respect for others. He has framed his outlook in terms of skepticism and evidence.

Laurie starred in ‘House’ and ‘The Night Manager’ and has released blues albums as a musician. He supports charity initiatives connected to health and humanitarian work and has performed in benefit shows.

Ian McKellen

Ian McKellen has stated that he is not religious and does not believe in God. He has spoken about growing up in a Christian environment before adopting a secular viewpoint.

McKellen is known for ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘X Men’ films and a long career in theater. He is a prominent advocate for LGBT equality and supports arts education programs.

George Clooney

George Clooney has said in interviews that he does not believe in God. He has described his outlook as secular and values civic engagement over religious affiliation.

Clooney starred in ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ and ‘Up in the Air’ and directed ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’. He co founded a humanitarian organization that monitors human rights abuses and funds relief projects.

Javier Bardem

Javier Bardem has identified as an atheist and has discussed his stance in Spanish media. He has noted that he sees ethics as a human responsibility rather than a religious one.

Bardem won an Academy Award for ‘No Country for Old Men’ and has played roles in ‘Biutiful’ and ‘Skyfall’. He supports ocean conservation and has worked with international groups on environmental campaigns.

Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore has said she does not believe in God and has spoken about finding meaning through family and work. She has described a secular perspective that focuses on kindness and responsibility.

Moore won an Academy Award for ‘Still Alice’ and has starred in ‘Far from Heaven’ and ‘The Kids Are All Right’. She supports gun safety advocacy and early childhood education programs.

Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley has said she is an atheist and has shared that she was raised without formal religion. She has expressed that morality for her comes from empathy and social responsibility.

Knightley earned acclaim for ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and appeared in ‘Atonement’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. She supports charities focused on domestic violence prevention and children’s health.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster has described herself as non religious and has said she does not believe in God. She has discussed valuing critical thinking and personal ethics.

Foster won Academy Awards for ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ and ‘The Accused’ and directed films such as ‘Money Monster’. She supports education and civil liberties groups and has produced projects that explore science and society.

Bill Maher

Bill Maher is a well known skeptic who has said he does not believe in God. He often frames his view as a rejection of dogma while encouraging debate on religion and public policy.

Maher hosts ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ and previously hosted ‘Politically Incorrect’. He supports organizations that defend free speech and has donated to animal welfare causes.

Seth MacFarlane

Seth MacFarlane has identified as an atheist and has discussed science education as a key influence. He has said he values evidence based reasoning and secular ethics.

MacFarlane created ‘Family Guy’ and ‘American Dad’ and co wrote and starred in ‘Ted’. He has donated to science and arts programs and helped fund research and scholarships in animation and music.

Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman has said she is not religious and does not believe in God. She has used comedy to explore secular themes and has spoken about separating faith from public policy.

Silverman created ‘I Love You, America’ and appeared in ‘Wreck It Ralph’ and ‘A Million Ways to Die in the West’. She supports voting rights and social justice groups and participates in charity events.

Penn Jillette

Penn Jillette identifies as an atheist and has written essays on secular ethics and free inquiry. He has said that personal responsibility matters more to him than religious doctrine.

As part of the duo Penn and Teller he has performed long running shows in Las Vegas and on television. He supports organizations that promote science education and skepticism.

Tim Minchin

Tim Minchin has described himself as an atheist and has written songs that celebrate reason and doubt. He has said that awe and wonder can come from science and art without invoking a deity.

Minchin created the music and lyrics for ‘Matilda the Musical’ and performed in ‘Groundhog Day’ on stage. He supports charities focused on refugee support and arts access for young people.

James Cameron

James Cameron has described himself as not believing in God and has said he relies on science to explain the natural world. He has discussed his views in profiles that cover his life and work.

Cameron directed ‘Titanic’ and ‘Avatar’ and has led deep sea expeditions with advanced submersibles. He advocates for ocean research and plant based sustainability initiatives in the film industry.

Joss Whedon

Joss Whedon has called himself an atheist and has said he sees morality as a human project. He has spoken about finding meaning through storytelling and community.

Whedon created ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and ‘Firefly’ and directed ‘The Avengers’. He has supported literacy and arts education and has written about civic engagement and voting.

Richard Dawkins

Richard Dawkins is a biologist who openly identifies as an atheist and has written extensively on evolution and secularism. He has stated that he sees no evidence for a deity.

Dawkins wrote ‘The God Delusion’ and ‘The Selfish Gene’ and has lectured worldwide. He supports humanist organizations and science education charities that deliver resources to schools and the public.

Sam Harris

Sam Harris has said he does not believe in God and describes himself as an atheist. He focuses on mindfulness, ethics, and the study of consciousness without religious claims.

Harris wrote ‘The End of Faith’ and ‘Waking Up’ and hosts a long running podcast. He supports research on neuroscience and rational discourse through public talks and publications.

David Attenborough

David Attenborough has described himself as non religious and has said he does not believe in a personal God. He often speaks about nature as a source of wonder that needs no supernatural explanation.

Attenborough wrote and narrated landmark series such as ‘Planet Earth’ and ‘Blue Planet’. He advocates for conservation and climate action and works with global groups to protect biodiversity.

Woody Allen

Woody Allen has long identified as an atheist in interviews and writings. He has used secular themes and existential humor in his scripts and public remarks.

Allen wrote and directed ‘Annie Hall’ and ‘Manhattan’ and has an extensive filmography. He has worked primarily in New York and Europe and is known for collaborations with actors across many projects.

John Malkovich

John Malkovich has said that he does not believe in God and that he was not raised with religious practice. He has described a secular outlook centered on personal responsibility.

Malkovich appeared in ‘Being John Malkovich’ and ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ and has directed theater productions. He has supported arts institutions and fashion collaborations that fund cultural programs.

Katharine Hepburn

Katharine Hepburn stated in interviews that she was an atheist and that she did not accept religious claims. She spoke plainly about independence of thought and personal ethics.

Hepburn won four Academy Awards for performances in films such as ‘The Lion in Winter’ and ‘On Golden Pond’. She supported theater programs and historic preservation related to her family home and community.

John Lennon

John Lennon publicly said he did not believe in God and expressed that view in his songwriting and interviews. He spoke about peace and social change from a secular perspective.

Lennon was a member of ‘The Beatles’ and released solo albums that shaped modern music. He supported anti war activism and humanitarian campaigns with concerts and media outreach.

Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us who else you think belongs here.