Stars who publicly converted to new religions

Faith is deeply personal.

For some celebrities, religion was something they grew up with. For others, it became something they discovered later through marriage, recovery, travel, grief, study, or a major life change.

Some stars were converted formally. Some joined a new religious community. Some embraced a spiritual practice without using the word “conversion.” And some have spoken about faith in more complex ways than a simple label can explain.

This article focuses only on public, documented examples. It does not judge anyone’s beliefs, compare religions, or treat conversion like a celebrity scandal.

Here are celebrities who publicly converted to a new religion or embraced a major new faith tradition.

Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf converted to Catholicism after preparing to play Padre Pio.

The actor spent time with Capuchin Franciscan friars while preparing for the 2022 film Padre Pio. In 2023, the friars announced that LaBeouf had received the sacrament of confirmation during a New Year’s Eve Mass at Old Mission Santa Inés in California. The Associated Press reported that LaBeouf had described himself as formerly agnostic and credited his preparation for the role with changing his spiritual life.

Sofia Richie Grainge

Sofia Richie converted to Judaism before marrying music executive Elliot Grainge.

She shared the news in 2023 on Instagram Stories, thanking cantor Nathan Lam for guiding her through the process. PEOPLE reported that Richie called it a “magical day,” while Vanity Fair noted that she had been raised Christian and converted ahead of her wedding.

Karlie Kloss

Karlie Kloss converted to Judaism before marrying Joshua Kushner.

The model and entrepreneur has said she did not take the conversion lightly. British Vogue reported that Kloss converted to the Jewish faith for Kushner and spoke about how the process shaped her life. The Times of Israel also reported that Kloss confirmed she had “joined the tribe” before the couple’s Jewish wedding.

Isla Fisher

Isla Fisher converted to Judaism before marrying Sacha Baron Cohen.

The Australian actress was raised Methodist and later converted to Judaism before the couple’s 2010 Jewish wedding. The Forward reported that her conversion had been completed before the wedding, and The Jewish Chronicle later reported that Fisher said Jewish values suited her love of family and food.

Her conversion was public for years, but Fisher and Baron Cohen largely kept their family life private.

Dave Chappelle

Dave Chappelle converted to Islam before he became one of America’s most famous comedians.

He has spoken about becoming Muslim as a young man and later discussed his faith during a conversation with David Letterman. Al Arabiya reported that Chappelle described the moment that led him toward Islam and his experience visiting the Zamzam well in Saudi Arabia.

Mahershala Ali

Mahershala Ali converted to Islam in 2000 and later became part of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community.

The Oscar-winning actor has spoken publicly about his faith, including in his 2017 SAG Awards speech, where he discussed his mother’s reaction to his conversion and how love helped their relationship remain strong despite religious difference. GQ covered that speech and the personal story behind it.

Sinéad O’Connor

Sinéad O’Connor converted to Islam in 2018 and later used the name Shuhada’ Sadaqat.

The Irish singer, known for “Nothing Compares 2 U,” had a long and complicated public relationship with religion before embracing Islam. TRT World reported that O’Connor converted in 2018, and PEOPLE’s look back at her life noted that she changed her name after the conversion.

Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson converted to Islam while serving a prison sentence in the 1990s.

Religion Unplugged reported that Tyson, who was born into a Christian family, converted to Islam behind bars and later adopted the Muslim name Malik Abdul Aziz.

Richard Gere

Richard Gere became one of Hollywood’s most visible Buddhist celebrities.

He has long practiced Tibetan Buddhism and has spoken publicly about the Dalai Lama as one of his most important teachers. Lion’s Roar published a detailed interview with Gere about his Buddhist journey, practice, and work for Tibetan freedom. PEOPLE also described him recently as a devoted Buddhist since the 1970s.

George Harrison

George Harrison embraced Hindu spirituality and the Hare Krishna tradition after becoming famous with The Beatles.

Harrison’s interest in Indian music and religion deeply influenced his life and work, especially songs like “My Sweet Lord.” Learn Religions notes that Harrison embraced the Hare Krishna tradition and remained devoted to it for the rest of his life.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise became one of the most famous celebrity members of the Church of Scientology.

Cruise was raised Catholic and joined Scientology in the 1980s after being introduced to it by his first wife, Mimi Rogers. He later became one of the church’s most visible public advocates.

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda became Christian later in life after growing up with a very different relationship to religion.

On her own website, Fonda wrote that she became a Christian near the end of her marriage to Ted Turner after years of feeling drawn toward a spiritual presence. She also made clear that her faith does not fit neatly into every traditional political or religious box.

Russell Brand

Russell Brand publicly embraced Christianity and was baptized in 2024.

The Catholic Herald reported that Brand announced he had received Christian baptism, though it was unclear which church he had formally joined. The Times also reported that Brand had embraced Christianity and described baptism as a major personal discovery.