Celebs You Probably Didn’t Know Were Mormon

The entertainment industry is full of individuals from diverse backgrounds and religious upbringings that shape their careers and personal lives. Many famous actors and musicians have ties to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which often comes as a surprise to their fans. Some of these celebrities were raised in the faith during their childhoods while others converted later in life or have since stepped away from the church entirely. This list explores well-known public figures who have a history with Mormonism and provides details about their connection to the religion.

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling was raised in a devout Mormon family in Ontario. He has stated that religion influenced every aspect of his life growing up. He eventually stopped attending church but credits the strict upbringing for his discipline. He began his career on ‘The Mickey Mouse Club’ alongside other future stars.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams was born in Italy to American parents who raised her in the LDS church. Her family moved to Colorado where she attended church until her parents divorced. She has mentioned that the values she learned during her religious upbringing stayed with her. Her breakout role came in the film ‘Junebug’ which earned her an Academy Award nomination.

Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl was raised in the Mormon faith after her parents converted following a family tragedy. She adhered to the strict guidelines of the church during her early modeling and acting career. She eventually stopped practicing but speaks fondly of the structure it provided her childhood. She gained immense popularity for her role in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.

Paul Walker

Paul Walker grew up in a Mormon household in Glendale California with a large family. He attended a Christian high school and maintained a strong sense of faith throughout his life. His upbringing instilled deep family values which he often discussed in interviews. He became an international star through the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise.

Aaron Eckhart

Aaron Eckhart served a mission for the church in France and Switzerland before graduating from Brigham Young University. He starred in the film ‘God’s Army’ which depicts the lives of Mormon missionaries in Los Angeles. He has since distanced himself from the church but acknowledges its role in his past. He played Harvey Dent in the blockbuster ‘The Dark Knight’.

Chelsea Handler

Chelsea Handler was born to a Jewish father and a Mormon mother in New Jersey. She was raised in Reform Judaism but had exposure to her mother’s religious background. She later participated in the show ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ where she explored her family history. She became a prominent late-night host with her show ‘Chelsea Lately’.

Eliza Dushku

Eliza Dushku was raised in the LDS church in the Boston area by her academic parents. Her mother was a university administrator who raised her boys and Eliza in the faith. She famously played Faith in the television series ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. She drifted away from the religion as she navigated her career in Hollywood.

Jewel

Jewel was born in Utah to a Mormon family before moving to Alaska at a young age. She was raised in the church until she was eight years old. She later pursued a music career that led to her becoming a multi-platinum singer-songwriter. She is known for hits like ‘You Were Meant for Me’ and her poetry collections.

Brendon Urie

Brendon Urie was raised in a Mormon family in Las Vegas and attended church regularly during his youth. He planned to go on a mission but eventually left the faith due to doctrinal disagreements. He became the lead vocalist for the band Panic! At The Disco. He has been open about how his religious background influenced his musical theatricality.

Tyson Ritter

Tyson Ritter grew up in a Mormon household in Stillwater Oklahoma. He met his bandmates while living there and formed The All-American Rejects. The strict environment of his youth often contrasted with the rock and roll lifestyle he later adopted. The band achieved massive success with songs like ‘Move Along’.

Bert McCracken

Bert McCracken was raised in a strict Mormon family in Orem Utah where he attended church meetings. He rebelled against the lifestyle during his teenage years and left the church. He channeled his emotions into music as the lead singer of The Used. His band became a defining act of the post-hardcore genre in the early 2000s.

Dan Reynolds

Dan Reynolds serves as the lead singer for the band Imagine Dragons and served a full-time mission in Nebraska. He attended Brigham Young University but has been vocal about his complex relationship with the church. He founded the LoveLoud Festival to support LGBTQ+ youth in religious communities. His band has released chart-topping hits like ‘Radioactive’.

Brandon Flowers

Brandon Flowers remains an active member of the LDS church and often discusses his faith in interviews. He is the lead singer of the rock band The Killers which formed in Las Vegas. He has appeared in promotional videos for the church to clear up misconceptions about the religion. His music often contains subtle references to his spiritual beliefs.

Lindsey Stirling

Lindsey Stirling began her career as a violinist and dancer who openly practices Mormonism. She served a mission in New York City before finding fame on ‘America’s Got Talent’. She served in various church callings and shares her beliefs on social media. Her unique blend of classical music and dubstep gained her a massive following.

Kaskade

Kaskade was born Ryan Raddon and served a two-year mission in Japan. He attended Brigham Young University where he began to develop his skills as a DJ. He is a devout member of the church despite working in the party-heavy electronic dance music scene. He has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards for his production work.

Jon Heder

Jon Heder graduated from Brigham Young University and served a mission in Japan. He catapulted to fame with his role as the title character in ‘Napoleon Dynamite’. He has remained an active member of the church throughout his acting career. He often chooses roles that align with his personal standards and family values.

Roseanne Barr

Roseanne Barr was born in Salt Lake City to a Jewish family that kept their heritage secret. She participated in LDS church activities during her youth to fit into the community. She later became a stand-up comedian and starred in the sitcom ‘Roseanne’. She has spoken about the unique cultural combination of her childhood in Utah.

Matthew Modine

Matthew Modine was born to a Mormon family and was one of seven children. His family moved frequently during his childhood before settling in Utah for a period. He later moved to New York City to study acting and left the church behind. He is well known for his role as Private Joker in ‘Full Metal Jacket’.

Rick Schroder

Ricky Schroder converted to the LDS church after marrying his wife who was a member. He was baptized in his thirties and spent several years as an active member. He began his acting career as a child star in ‘The Champ’ and ‘Silver Spoons’. He later drifted away from the church after his marriage ended.

Arthur Kane

Arthur Kane was the bass player for the pioneering punk rock band New York Dolls. He converted to Mormonism later in life after struggling with alcoholism. He worked at the Family History Center in Los Angeles as part of his service. His conversion was documented in the film ‘New York Doll’.

Don Bluth

Don Bluth worked as an animator for Disney before leaving to start his own studio. He is a devout member of the church and has involved his faith in his business practices. He directed beloved animated films such as ‘The Land Before Time’ and ‘Anastasia’. He produced ‘The Small One’ which explores biblical themes.

Glen A. Larson

Glen A. Larson was a prolific television producer and a member of the LDS church. He incorporated Mormon theology into his science fiction series ‘Battlestar Galactica’. The show features concepts like a council of twelve and the search for a lost tribe. He also created hit shows like ‘Knight Rider’ and ‘Magnum, P.I.’.

Neil LaBute

Neil LaBute joined the LDS church while studying at Brigham Young University. He became a celebrated playwright and filmmaker known for dark and controversial themes. His film ‘In the Company of Men’ launched his directing career. He was eventually disfellowshipped from the church due to the nature of his work.

Mireille Enos

Mireille Enos attended Brigham Young University and was raised in the Mormon faith. She is known for her roles in ‘The Killing’ and ‘World War Z’. She grew up in Houston Texas where her father served as a missionary. She has since moved away from the church but maintains a private personal life.

A. J. Cook

A.J. Cook grew up in the LDS church in Oshawa Ontario. She is best known for her role as JJ in the crime drama ‘Criminal Minds’. She has stated in interviews that she no longer practices the religion. Her acting career began with film roles in ‘The Virgin Suicides’ and ‘Final Destination’.

Gladys Knight

Gladys Knight converted to the LDS church later in life and became a very active member. She led the Saints Unified Voices choir which released a Grammy-winning gospel album. She is a legendary soul singer known as the Empress of Soul. She famously recorded ‘Midnight Train to Georgia’ with The Pips.

Julianne Hough

Julianne Hough was raised in a Mormon family in Utah with her four siblings. She famously competed on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and transitioned into acting and singing. She has spoken about stepping away from the strict rules of her upbringing. She starred in the film adaptation of ‘Rock of Ages’.

Derek Hough

Derek Hough grew up in the LDS church alongside his sister Julianne. He is a professional dancer who holds the record for most wins on ‘Dancing with the Stars’. He lived in London during his youth to study dance at a performing arts school. He has acted in stage productions like ‘Footloose’ in London.

Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper is a professional baseball player who is a member of the LDS church. He famously refrained from drinking alcohol during celebratory clubhouse events. He was named the National League MVP multiple times during his career. He has ‘Luke 1:37’ written on his bats as a testament to his faith.

Steve Young

Steve Young is a Hall of Fame quarterback who played for the San Francisco 49ers. He is a great-great-great-grandson of Brigham Young who was an early church leader. He attended Brigham Young University and has remained active in the faith. He won three Super Bowl titles during his professional football career.

Roy Halladay

Roy Halladay was a Major League Baseball pitcher known as Doc. He was a member of the LDS church and was known for his intense work ethic. He pitched a perfect game and a postseason no-hitter during his career. He was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Danny Ainge

Danny Ainge played professional basketball and baseball and is a member of the church. He starred at Brigham Young University before a long career in the NBA. He served as a bishop for the church while playing for the Boston Celtics. He later became a successful executive for the Celtics and the Utah Jazz.

Ken Jennings

Ken Jennings is the highest-earning American game show contestant of all time. He is a member of the LDS church and served a mission in Spain. He gained fame for his record-breaking winning streak on ‘Jeopardy!’. He frequently discusses his religion and its role in his intellectual development.

Stephenie Meyer

Stephenie Meyer is the author of the vampire romance series ‘Twilight’. She is an active member of the LDS church and graduated from Brigham Young University. Her books contain themes that some critics have linked to Mormon theology. The film adaptations of her work became a global cultural phenomenon.

Orson Scott Card

Orson Scott Card is a science fiction author best known for the book ‘Ender’s Game’. He is a great-great-grandson of Brigham Young and a practicing member of the church. His works often explore moral and religious questions through speculative fiction. He has written extensively about his faith and political views.

David Archuleta

David Archuleta rose to fame as the runner-up on the seventh season of ‘American Idol’. He took a hiatus from his music career to serve a two-year mission in Chile. He released several albums that reflect his pop style and religious background. He later stepped away from the church after coming out as LGBTQ+.

Tyler Glenn

Tyler Glenn is the lead vocalist for the rock band Neon Trees. He was raised in the LDS church and served a mission in Nebraska. He publicly left the church after a policy change regarding same-sex couples. He documented his exit from the faith in his solo album ‘Excommunication’.

Elaine Bradley

Elaine Bradley is the drummer for the band Neon Trees and a devout member of the church. She served a mission in Germany and continues to practice her faith. She appeared in the ‘I’m a Mormon’ advertising campaign. She balances her rock career with her family life and religious observance.

Branden Steineckert

Branden Steineckert is the drummer for the punk band Rancid and a former member of The Used. He was raised in a Mormon family in Utah. He often shares his support for the church and his hometown soccer team Real Salt Lake. He wrote the team anthem ‘Believe’ which is played at every home game.

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera’s parents met as students at Brigham Young University and married in the LDS temple. She lived in a household with Mormon influences until her parents divorced when she was young. She did not continue in the faith but the connection is a surprising biographical detail. She became a pop icon with hits like ‘Genie in a Bottle’.

Tell us which of these celebrity backgrounds surprised you the most in the comments below!