Celebrity News

HOLLYWOOD — The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International hosted its 35th Anniversary Gala in Hollywood, Saturday, August 7th. The guest list included many of the church’s well known members, including Tom Cruise, Lisa Marie Presley, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Sofia Milos, Jenna Elfman, Leah Remini, Catherine Bell, Priscilla Presley, Erika Christensen, Jason Lee, Anne Archer, Jennifer Aspen, Michelle Stafford, Lynsey Bartilson, Juliette Lewis, Marisol Nichols, and Ethan Suplee.

Speakers at this Gala included LA County Sheriff Lee Baca who acknowledged the Church of Scientology for being active at the forefront of conflict resolution.

A formal presentation was made by the United States Congress of a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in recognition of Celebrity Centre’s 35th anniversary of humanitarian and voluntary contributions. This presentation was made on behalf of Congressman Brad Sherman (D. California) and Congress by Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

The more than 1200 guests, including parishioners of the church, local and federal government officials and community leaders, were entertained at the outdoor celebration on the grounds of the Celebrity Centre by Beck, soul legend Isaac Hayes, jazz great Chick Corea and Academy Award nominated film composer Mark Isham.

Church officials say that the church’s popularity in the arts mirrors its overall growth, with nearly 9 million members in over 150 countries. They say its rapid expansion is word-of-mouth driven, due to the religion’s practical principles that are used to improve conditions in life.

The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre in Hollywood was founded in 1969. There are twelve Celebrity Centres located in cultural centers around the world including New York, Paris, Nashville, Las Vegas, Vienna and London.

In keeping with Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s words from 1951, "A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists," these Celebrity Centres work with those whose broad visions for social enhancement are essential for positive progression of society. Celebrity Centres, like all Churches of Scientology worldwide, are open to the public.

With new television shows running throughout the summer, and fall shows announced, more Scientologists than ever are starring in television series.

The following are some examples:

Jennifer Aspen – Rodney – ABC
Lynsey Bartilson – Grounded For Life – WB
Catherine Bell – JAG – CBS
Nancy Cartwright – The Simpsons – Fox
and Kim Possible – Disney
Jason Dohring – Veronica Mars – UPN
Isaac Hayes – South Park – Comedy Central
Johnny Lewis – Quintuplets – FOX
Chris Masterson – Malcolm in the Middle – FOX
Sofia Milos – CSI: Miami – CBS
Elisabeth Moss – West Wing – NBC
Marisol Nichols – Blind Justice – ABC
Leah Remini – King of Queens – CBS
Michelle Stafford – The Young and the Restless – CBS

In Dreamworks Pictures’ Collateral, Jamie Foxx is Max, a man who has lived the mundane life of a cab driver for 12 years. The faces have come and gone from his rearview mirror, people and places he’s long since forgotten... until tonight. Vincent, portrayed by Tom Cruise, is a contract killer. Tonight, he has arrived in LA... and five bodies are supposed to fall. Circumstances cause Vincent to hijack Max’s taxicab, and Max becomes collateral — an expendable person in the wrong place at the wrong time. Through the night, Vincent forces Max to drive him to each assigned destination. And as the LAPD and FBI race to intercept them, Max and Vincent’s survival becomes dependent on each other in ways neither would have imagined. Collateral opened at #1 in the box office.

Actor Michael D. Roberts stars in Hostage with Bruce Willis, shown on the set of the film. Hostage is the story of a retired hostage negotiator (Willis) who finds the life he left behind catching up with him.