When you encounter someone who shares your religion, whether it be a neighbor, a coworker, or even a role model you like, it may be a connecting experience. While our curiosity about celebrities’ personal life is often focused on who they are dating or unexpected pregnancies, learning about the deeply held ideas of cultural influencers may be both exciting and useful for understanding the work they produce.
These well-known Christians are open about their connection with God and discuss how it has helped them advance in their professional careers. Does this indicate that Christianity is now being recognized for what it is in Hollywood? Or just a version that it can readily accept given the large number of prominent celebrities who openly share and practice their faith? Five famous people who actively practice their religion in Hollywood are listed below.
1. Justin Bieber – Canadian Singer
After developing a friendship with pastor Judah Smith, who serves as the pastor of Churchome in the Seattle region, pop star Justin Bieber started to mature in his faith and grow closer to God.
Justin Bieber discusses his and Smith’s relationship, claiming that Smith never desired anything from him. Bieber’s religion significantly turned in 2014 when he was baptized as part of Hillsong Church in New York City. The Canadian musician asserts that his religious beliefs, in addition to his marital stability, “did not rely on his singing in return for money.”
2. Reese Witherspoon – American Actress And Producer
Reese Witherspoon is often regarded as one of the most endearing celebrities in the United States. Witherspoon is now 46 years old and has had a great career in Hollywood for three decades, thanks to appearances in films like Legally Blonde, Sweet Home Alabama, and Walk the Line; she recently discussed her religious beliefs in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.
Witherspoon said that she was raised in an Episcopal household in Nashville and spent nine years participating in the church choir, during which time she “sang her heart out” and “loved every minute of it.”
3. Candice Cameron Bure – American Actress, Producer, Author, And Talk Show Panelist
The star of Full House was honored with the position of Chief Spiritual Officer of Woman’s Day in 2020. Because Candice Cameron Bure has been a professing Christian for such a long time and is quite loud about her religion in every public forum she has, this Christian celebrity’s conversion to Christianity is not exactly ground-breaking news.
On the other hand, she has just published a new devotional Bible called The One Step Closer Bible, which “is here to meet you and your questions, needs, and worries.” It is said that she mentions this on her website.
4. Tom Hank – American Actor And Filmmaker
Throughout his acting career, Tom Hanks has impressed and won the audience’s hearts through his lifetime roles. Movie fans can easily name the famous iconic protagonists he has played or the names of immortal films he has acted in.
Hanks identified himself as a “Bible-toting Evangelical” in his adolescent years. Hanks was reared in both the Catholic and Mormon faiths. He eventually became a member of the Greek Orthodox Church before tying the knot with Rita Wilson, and they continued to worship services together.
5. David A.R. White – American Actor, Director, And Producer
David A.R. White is a founding member of Pinnacle Peak Pictures, a production, and distribution company that focuses on films with Christian and family-oriented themes. His most well-known performance was in the God’s Not Dead movie series as Reverend Dave.
The co-founder of Pure Flix is also an actor, and he has appeared in several of the Christian films that he has directed and produced, such as “Faith of Our Fathers,” “God’s Not Dead,” “God’s Not Dead 2,” and “God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness.” The Christian actor has been active in Hollywood for over 20 years, during which time he has been in several films that can be seen on Pure Flix.
6. Kevin Sorbo – American Actor
Even though he claims he was “blacklisted” from Hollywood for being an outspoken Christian, the “God’s Not Dead” actor has found happiness, contentment, and professional success via appearing in, directing, and producing indie films that he is passionate about.
In truth, Kevin Sorbo and his wife Sam, whom he met on the set of his famous program “Hercules” in the 1990s, are the heads of their own production business, Sorbo Studios. Their goal is to use cinema to produce tales that inspire others to push beyond their limitations and have a positive cultural influence.
7. Neal McDonough – American Actor
Neal McDonough, an actor, is probably well-known everywhere. His piercing blue eyes and light blonde hair have always made him a famous Hollywood villain. However, it soon became clear that McDonough was far more complex than first seemed. And you may be surprised to learn why he plays so many villains.
The actor, a devout Catholic, chose to respect his wife and uphold his beliefs when they wed in 2003 by refusing to kiss another woman, take part in sex scenes, or use the Lord’s name in vain in any of his performances.
8. Dean Cain – American Actor
Dean Cain was born in the United States and reared Mount Clemens, Michigan. His portrayal of Superman’s alter ego Clark Kent in the television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman brought him the lion’s share of fame.
Actor Dean Cain has established himself as a mainstay in the Christian cinema industry since he debuted in the 2014 film “God’s Not Dead.” The devout Christian finds great satisfaction in creating pictures that uplift others and is convinced that such films make it possible for God to operate in the lives and hearts of those who see them.
9. Mark Wahlberg – American Actor, Businessman, And Former Rapper
The audience must be no stranger to the actor’s face as the brave mechanic Cade Yeager in Mark Wahlberg’s Transformers 4. In addition to his role as an actor, Mark is also a television producer and a famous “former” American rapper in the early 90s.
Mark Wahlberg, an actor and a musician who was a rapper, said that his connection with God is “the essential element of his existence.” He makes it a point to pray and attend worship services daily. The success of Wahlberg’s profession and that of his wife and children are all openly attributed to God.
10. Roma Downey – Northern Ireland-born Actress, Producer, And NY Times Bestselling Author
Fans know Roma Downey mostly for her work in the film industry as an actor and film producer. However, in addition to becoming a star in “Touched by an Angel,” this author is a New York Times best-selling book.
The memorable performance that actress Roma Downey gave as Monica in the television drama “Touched by an Angel” left spectators in awe. Now, she and her husband, the well-known producer Mark Burnett, are inspiring viewers with projects such as “The Bible,” “AD,” and much other faith-focused television series and feature films.
11. Gary Sinise – American Actor, Humanitarian, And Musician
Gary Sinise, born in 1955, plays lieutenant Dan Taylor, commanding officer of Forrest. The role brought the actor’s only Oscar nomination in the “Best Supporting Actor” category. After the movie, Gary set up a fund in his name to honor war veterans and their families.
The parts that made him famous include those in the movies “Forrest Gump,” “Apollo 13,” and “The Green Mile,” as well as in the television series “CSI: New York.” The actor was already a family man with a wife and three kids and became a Catholic in 2010. He contributed significantly to charitable causes, notably the education of 300,000 children in Iraq.
12. Jim Caviezel – American Film And Television Actor
Jim Caviezel is an actor who hails from the United States. The movie The Passion of Christ’s portrayal of Jesus Christ (2004) and the role of John Reese in the science fiction criminal drama series Person of Interest on CBS are the ones that brought Jim Caviezel the most fame (2011-2016). Both handsome and accomplished as an actor, Caviezel has been nominated and awarded several times. He is maybe the actor known for being the most forthright when speaking about the significance of religion in his life.
13. Al Pacino – American Actor
Al Pacino received a 2020 Oscar nomination for a supporting actor in the gang-themed movie “The Irishman”. He was born in 1940 in New York (USA) to Italian immigrant parents. Many film critics commented that the actor was impressed by his talking eyes.
In an interview, a role often seen in gangster movies, the Catholic actor said that the only places he was allowed to behave like a son were in “church, school, and in the cinema.” In the early 1970s, after a sudden break from religion, Al Pacino began to return to the Church – interestingly, during the filming of The Godfather.
14. Mel Gibson – American Actor, Film Director, And Producer
The 1980s and 1990s were Mel Gibson‘s heyday as an actor. The actor Mel Gibson, born in 1956, is considered the most representative of the “New Wave from Australia” movement.
Actor who directed, produced, and co-wrote the hugely successful Hollywood film The Passion of the Christ, starring Catholic actor Jim Caviezel. The father of nine makes no secret that his work is inspired primarily by his faith. Having gone through tough times, the very devout Gibson uses his experiences to be active in social work and has helped many stars quit drug addiction.
15. Antonio Banderas – Spanish Actor
Antonio Banderas is a well-known actor and filmmaker who hails from Spain. His name is linked to several famous films, like Evita, Philadelphia, Desperado, The Mask of Zorro, The Expandables 3, and others. One of Antonio Banderas’ most recognizable films is “The Mask of Zorro,” which was released in 1998 and starred Catherine Zeta-Jones. At that time, the actor was 38 years old.
Every year, the Spanish performer and representative of a lay Roman Catholic fraternity in Malaga, Spain, takes part in the city’s Holy Week parades.
16. Denzel Washington – American Actor, Director, And Producer
With great success in the action film genre over the past three decades, Denzel Washington has just been honored with the AFI Life Achievement Award.
Denzel Washington is one of the few stars in Hollywood who has maintained a long and devoted marriage, so it shouldn’t be surprising that he is a devout Christian. As the son of a minister, Washington toyed with the idea of following in his father’s footsteps and going into the ministry. The winner of two Academy Awards said, “I’m here to serve God,” during his acceptance speech.
17. Stephen Baldwin – American Actor, Producer, And Director
In the American conservative political movement, Stephen Andrew Baldwin is well-known. He also works as a producer, director, author, and actor.
The last several years have been transformative for actor Stephen Baldwin’s Christian faith, which has grown more profound. Baldwin said in an interview for “The Pure Flix Podcast” that despite his twenty years of involvement in the Christian faith, he has never considered himself a “prayer person.” His viewpoint on the situation eventually shifted, and he underwent a personal transformation with it.
18. Patricia Heaton – American Actress And Comedian
The bubbly lady most known for her roles as the lead of “The Middle” and “Everybody Loves Raymond” changed her religion from Protestantism to Catholicism when her first marriage ended in divorce. Patricia Heaton referred to herself as a “crazy Protestant.”
After losing her mother when she was only 12 years old, Patricia Heaton—now the mother of four kids—became a devoted Catholic. She overcomes a severe clinical depression by praying to “the saints, particularly St. Patrick and St. -se assistance, and then I go to the therapist.”
19. Leah Remini – American Actress
The movie diva is most known for her appearance in “The King of Queens.” After 35 years of studying theology, she and her husband, Angelo Pagén, converted to Catholicism, and even then, she has been outspoken in her opposition to the subject. Her husband is also a theologian.
Leah Remini, an actress and activist told People magazine that she gets inner peace when she attends Mass “alone, sitting and praying and reciting the rosary.” This is something she does when she prays and does the rosary. “To me, religion is a really beautiful thing,” the author says.
20. Chuck Norris – American Martial Artist And Actor
Chuck Norris is a multitalented American entertainer trained in various martial arts styles. During the 1980s, he was the highest-paid star of The Cannon Group with Bruce Lee. Chuck Norris is a multitalented American entertainer trained in various martial arts styles. He appeared with Bruce Lee, and in the 1980s, he was the main attraction of The Cannon Group.
He is an iconic actor and one of the most renowned Christians in Hollywood has never had any trouble discussing his relationship with God during his career. Although Norris had a challenging childhood, his prayerful mother was there to assist and guide him through his challenges. Throughout his life, he has placed a significant amount of reliance on his religion.
21. Kirk Cameron – American Actor And Evangelist
Born and reared in Panorama City, Los Angeles, California, Kirk Cameron is an American actor, evangelist, television host, and writer with several awards to his credit. Kirk Cameron is well-known for playing Mike Seaver in the ABC comedy “Growing Pains,” for which he received two nominations for Golden Globe Awards.
The “Growing Pains,” “Mercy Rule,” and “Left Behind” franchise actor opens up in an engaging PragerU “Stories of Us” film about his early days in Hollywood, his conversion to Christianity, and how the difficulties of his professional and personal life in the entertainment industry ultimately led him to Christ.
22. Zachary Levi – American Actor
Actor Zachary Levi was born in 1980, started doing art in 2001, and has had some success. He gained fame on television as Chuck Bartowski in the sitcom Chuck (2007-2012).
He is famous for his breakthrough performance on the television series “Chuck,” as well as for his roles in “American Underdog” and “Shazam!” Levi gives credit to his religion for assisting him in escaping a dark spot in his life, as he had been used to dealing with emotions of worry and melancholy from a young age, to the point where he was unaware that anything was wrong with him. When Levi was having a mental breakdown and suffering from strong suicidal thoughts five years ago, he experienced a mental collapse.
23. Stephen Colbert – American Comedian, Writer, Producer, Political Commentator, Actor, And Television Host
After being questioned by pop star Dua Lipa about whether his religion and humor intersect, Late Show host Stephen Colbert spoke out about his religious beliefs live on air.
In 2019, a conversation on mourning between Anderson Cooper and Stephen Colbert, host of the talk show, went viral. Colbert candidly discussed how his religion helped him through losing his father and brothers.
Stephen Colbert claimed to have identified as an atheist for a while in an interview he gave Father James Martin in 2018. When he was 22 years old and traveling down the street in Chicago, he was presented him a little New Testament
24. Viola Davis – American Actress And Producer
The actress who won an award for her performance in Fences begged God for a spouse who would fulfill all of her needs and dreams.
The answer to her request came around three weeks later. Julius Tennon extended an invitation to Viola Davis to accompany him to church, where the two ultimately exchanged their “I do” for all time. Additionally, they collaborated on the co-production of the documentary Emmanuel, which tells the story of the 2015 Charleston, South Carolina, church shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal.
25. Kathie Lee Gifford – American Television Presenter, Singer, Songwriter, Actress, And Author
You undoubtedly recall Alexa’s breakthrough performance as Carmen Cortez in “Sky Kids.” She grew up in Hollywood and met her husband-to-be, Carlos PenaVega, during a Bible study. In 2017, the pair relocated to Hawaii with their family. PenaVega loved her profession and still does today, but a change of pace and environment allowed her to discover her identity in Christ.
Kathie Lee Gifford has often discussed her belief in God in an open manner. The television host and New York Times bestselling author interviews people from different walks of life for her book, The Jesus I Know: Honest Conversations and Diverse Opinions about Who He Is, to get their perspectives on Jesus.
26. Nick Jonas – American Singer, Songwriter, And Actor
One of the most well-known pop band Jonas Brothers members is the vocalist Nick Jonas. Priyanka Chopra is one of India’s most successful and well-paid actresses, and Nick is married to her.
Nick Jonas and his brothers Joe and Kevin had a Christian education while growing up. Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra’s wedding included both a traditional Hindu ceremony and a Christian ceremony, the latter of which was presided over by Nick’s father. This ordained pastor formerly served in the Assemblies of God church.
27. Brad Paisley – American Country Music Singer And Songwriter
When it comes to country music, Brad Paisley is a major player. He has won three Grammy Awards, 14 Country Music Awards, 2 American Music Awards, and 14 Academy of Country Music Awards in 2017. He has 19 #1 singles and sold over 12 million records.
A number of the country singer’s songs, like “My Miracle,” feature a message based on religion. The lyrics of the poignant love song that Paisley composed for his wife are as follows: “I wasn’t always spiritual / Oh but one thing that’s for sure / How could I not have trust / In the God who created her.” Paisley penned the love song for his wife.
28. Garth Brooks – American Country Music Singer And Songwriter
Garth Brooks still quietly dedicates to the international music industry with sweet and immortal love songs. In the hearts of fans, Garth Brooks is always a country music legend. Garth Brooks has been famous since the 1990s and owns 2 Grammy Awards and 17 American Music Awards, including the important award “Artist of the 90s”.
When Brooks reads the Bible, he substitutes the word “love” for the name Jesus so that he might be of what the Lord represents. The artist’s songs often include allusions to his religious beliefs; in fact, the lyrics to several songs were even the topic of discussion at a Bible study group at a church in Texas.
29. Carrie Underwood – American Country Singer
Carrie Underwood, a prominent figure in the country music industry, has never been coy about her religious beliefs. In 2005, she had number one success with the song “Jesus Take the Wheel.”
In 2021, she issued a gospel CD titled “My Savior,” which included a compilation of traditional hymns. Underwood discusses her faith at a difficult time in her life, which included experiencing a string of miscarriages, in an interview that aired on CBS Sunday Morning in 2018.
30. Steve Harvey – American Television Host, Producer, Actor, And Comedian
Steve Harvey is an American multitalented media artist with the ability to host, a radio broadcaster, and a comedian. He has hosted shows like The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Steve Harvey, and Family Feud.
The refreshingly moral and devout beliefs of Steve Harvey are evident throughout his art. He attributes his prosperity and his escape from a life of poverty to God. “Our connection with God is the cornerstone for love in our family,” Marjorie, Harvey’s wife, revealed in an interview with the magazine Essence.