It's hardly popular. It attracted a number of actors back in the 1960s and 1970s, a lot through the Beverly Hills Playhouse, where aspiring actors would be recommended for "Communications Classes." Most of the "name" actors date from those days, or are second generation. But I haven't heard of a prestigious recent convert in ages. I've met a few over the years and they are weird, weird people.
Here is a self-described incomplete list of scientologists.
***It’s hardly popular. It attracted a number of actors back in the 1960s and 1970s, a lot through the Beverly Hills Playhouse, where aspiring actors would be recommended for “Communications Classes.***
I wouldn’t doubt that this was all started as a Ponzi scheme to bring in more money to Hollywood with the early spokesman actors getting a cut of the profits.
They still get converts that are interested in “unloading their emotional baggage”. Supposedly, Scientology “opens doors” for people. They attract a lot of people who ride around on their Drama Llama, constantly talking about “triggers” and “safe places”.
That’s why it is so popular in California and Florida. It’s like Amway for narcissistic crazies.