20 Catholic celebrities to whom their faith is important

Religion is one of the major aspects of everyone's life, and celebrities are no exception. Several Catholic celebrities are devoted to their faith. Some of these stars have been brought up in religious families, while others reconnected with their faith at a later point in life.

Key takeaways

• Catholicism is a Christian religion that is full of great traditions. It is the largest Christian church, led by the Pope.
• Many Catholic celebrities were raised in the faith and still practice the religion.
• Mel Gibson, Alexis Bledel, George Clooney, Katie Holmes, and Martin Scorsese are among the famous Catholic celebrities.

Catholic celebrities to whom their faith is important

Catholicism is a Christian denomination with a significant presence in the entertainment industry. Many famous Catholic celebrities openly identify with their faith.

This list consists of celebrities born and raised in a catholic family and those who converted to Catholicism. Note that the list is in no particular order.

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Here is a breakdown of these devout Catholic actors and actresses in Hollywood and how the religion shaped their lives.

20. Mel Gibson

• Full name: Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson
• Date of birth: 3 January 1956
• Place of birth: Peekskill, New York, United States
• Profession: Actor and filmmaker

Actor Mel Gibson is known for his strong religious beliefs, which have had the greatest influence on the work of any Hollywood celebrity. Gibson's surname is derived from St Mel's Cathedral in Longford, his mother's hometown.

He attended St Leo's Catholic College in Wahroonga, New South Wales, where members of the Congregation of Christian Brothers educated him.

19. Alexis Bledel

• Full name: Kimberly Alexis Bledel
• Date of birth: 16 September 1981
• Place of birth: Houston, Texas, United States
• Profession: Actress and model

Actress Alexis Bledel is best known for her role as Rory Gilmore in Gilmore Girls. The actress was born in Houston, Texas, USA. Alexis is among the famous devout Catholic celebrities who attended Baptist and Lutheran schools and graduated from the Catholic St. Agnes Academy in Houston.

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18. George Clooney

• Full name: George Timothy Clooney
• Date of birth: 6 May 1961
• Place of birth: Lexington, Kentucky, United States
• Profession: Actor and filmmaker

George Clooney is among the famous people raised in a Catholic family. Clooney recalls his Catholic upbringing during an interview on The Larry King Show. He stated:

I was an altar boy did the whole thing. Latin masses, too.

When asked if he lost his faith or still has it, this is what he said:

I don't have a specific -- I don't -- it's an interesting thing. I'll tell you what's tricky about this. In talking about religion, if you're well known, anything you say sort of ticks off a bunch of other people and sort of attacks their beliefs.

So I always try to say that I, first and foremost, I think that whatever anybody believes, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else, it's fair enough and works. And I think it's real and matters. I don't happen to have those beliefs as much. I don't believe in those things.

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17. Katie Holmes

• Full name: Kate Noelle Holmes
• Date of birth: 18 December 1978
• Place of birth: Toledo, Ohio, United States
• Profession: Actress and filmmaker

Actress Katie Holmes is best known for appearing on the television series Dawson's Creek. Holmes was baptised a Roman Catholic and attended Christ the King Church in Toledo. According to the People magazine, Katie is a member of the Church of St. Francis Xavier. She is one of the many Hollywood Catholics devoted to their religion.

16. Martin Scorsese

• Full name: Martin Charles Scorsese
• Date of birth: 17 November 1942
• Place of birth: Flushing, New York, United States
• Profession: Filmmaker

Filmmaker Martin Scorsese was raised in a predominantly Catholic environment. In the interview, Scorsese said:

When I was younger, I was thinking of making a film about being a priest. I myself wanted to follow in Fr. Principe's footsteps, so to speak, and be a priest. I went to a preparatory seminary but I failed out the first year.

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Due to his three divorces, Scorsese began referring to himself as a lapsed Catholic in his personal life. He later confirmed his commitment to the Catholic faith and its doctrines.

15. Sophia Loren

• Full name: Sofia Costanza Brigida Villani Scicolone
• Date of birth: 20 September 1934
• Place of birth: Rome, Italy
• Profession: Actress

Actress Sophia Loren is one of the popular Catholic movie stars who was born in Rome, Italy. He was brought up in a strict Roman Catholic household. Throughout her career, she has been a devout Roman Catholic.

Like many famous catholic celebrities, Sophia Loren's faith plays a prominent role in her life. She described herself as a casual Catholic in 1971, but in 2009, she advocated for Pope John Paul II's beautification. She said:

I went to the tomb of John Paul II in the Vatican to pay homage to him and pray.

14. Steve Carell

• Full name: Steven John Carell
• Date of birth: 16 August 1962
• Place of birth: Emerson Hospital, Concord, Massachusetts, United States
• Profession: Actor and comedian

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Actor Steven Carell is best known for his role as Michael Scott in the NBC sitcom The Office. Catholic parents brought up Steve, and he still practices the religion today. Steven Carell even starred as the biblical figure Noah in the film Evan Almighty.

13. Catherine Zeta-Jones

• Full name: Catherine Zeta-Jones
• Date of birth: 25 September 1969
• Place of birth: Swansea, United Kingdom
• Profession: Actress

Catherine Zeta-Jones was born in Swansea, United Kingdom. In 2010, she was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her film and humanitarian service contributions. The actress has maintained her Roman Catholic faith and beliefs throughout her life and career.

12. Jimmy Fallon

• Full name: James Thomas Fallon
• Date of birth: 19 September 1974
• Place of birth: Bay Ridge, New York, United States
• Profession: Comedian, television host, actor, singer, writer, and producer

James Fallon is an American comedian, television host and actor. Jimmy is known for hosting Late Night with Jimmy Fallon from 2009 to 2014. He currently hosts The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Jimmy is among the famous people who are catholic members. He attended the Roman Catholic school St. Mary of the Snow and considered becoming a priest, inspired by his experiences as an altar boy. The comedian still loves his religion. He stated that:

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I just, I loved the church. I loved the idea of it. I loved the smell of the incense. I loved the feeling you get when you left church. I loved like how this priest can make people feel this good. I just thought it was – I loved the whole idea of it.

11. Lady Gaga

• Full name: Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta
• Date of birth: 28 March 1986
• Place of birth: Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, United States
• Profession: Singer, songwriter, and actress

Lady Gaga is one of the openly Catholic celebrities today. The American singer, songwriter, and actress was born to a Catholic family on 28 March 1986 at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, New York City.

She attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart, a private all-girls Roman Catholic school. Lady Gaga began playing the piano at age four when her mother insisted she become "a cultured young woman".

10. Stephen Colbert

• Full name: Stephen Tyrone Colbert
• Date of birth: 13 May 1964
• Place of birth: Washington, D.C., United States
• Profession: Comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host

Stephen Colbert is best known for hosting The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. He is a Roman Catholic who used to teach Sunday school. The comedian is a minister ordained with the Universal Life Church Monastery. He has appeared in series such as The Mindy Project as Father Michael O'Donnell.

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9. Nicole Kidman

• Full name: Nicole Mary Kidman
• Date of birth: 20 June 1967
• Place of birth: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
• Profession: Actress and producer

Actress Nicole Kidman has achieved immense fame and acclaim for her work in the film industry. While she has not been outspoken about her religious beliefs, Kidman was raised in a Catholic family and attended Catholic schools.

Kidman married Tom Cruise and practised Scientology, among other religions, during their marriage. She returned to her Catholic roots after her divorce from Cruise in 2001. Nicole was also married to Keith Urban from 2006 to 2025.

8. Arnold Schwarzenegger

• Full name: Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger
• Date of birth: 30 July 1947
• Place of birth: Thal, Austria
• Profession: Actor, businessman, former politician, and retired professional bodybuilder

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is famously known for his roles in The Terminator, Predator, and Commando. Arnold Schwarzenegger has stated that he is a Catholic. He stated that:

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I grew up Catholic; I went to church. Went to Catholic school, and I learned the Bible and my catechisms. And from those days, I remember a phrase that is relevant today: a servant's heart. It means serving something larger than yourself.

7. Selena Gomez

• Full name: Selena Marie Gomez
• Date of birth: 22 July 1992
• Place of birth: Grand Prairie, Texas, United States
• Profession: Actress, singer, and businesswoman

Singer Selena Gomez, born in Grand Prairie, Texas, is among the young Catholic celebrities. She was born to Ricardo Joel Gomez and Mandy Teefey. Her parents adhere to the Catholic faith, and she was brought up in this religious tradition.

She continues to actively practice Catholicism to this day and even wore a promise ring for a while. Additionally, Selena Gomez is known to attend Hillsong Church in Los Angeles, CA.

6. Tom Brady

• Full name: Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr.
• Date of birth: 3 August 1977
• Place of birth: San Mateo, California, United States
• Profession: Former professional football quarterback

Tom Brady is a retired American football quarterback who played in the National Football League. He is the only son of Galynn Patricia and Thomas Brady Sr.

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Tom Brady expressed that he was less religious but believed in everything. His faith falls on a more spiritual path since he doesn't believe in a specific God or religious practice. Rather, he has a mix of everything.

5. Anne Hathaway

• Full name: Anne Jacqueline Hathaway
• Date of birth: 12 November 1982
• Place of birth: Brooklyn, New York, United States
• Profession: Actress

Anne Hathaway is an American actress who has gained recognition for her roles in movies like The Princess Diaries, The Devil Wears Prada, and The Last Thing He Wanted. Hathaway was raised as a Roman Catholic.

Hathaway considered joining a convent. However, her relationship with the Catholic Church changed at age fifteen after learning that her older brother was gay. Her family joined the Episcopal Church, but they later left. Hathaway currently describes her religious beliefs as "a work in progress".

4. William Levy

• Full name: William Gutiérrez Levy
• Date of birth: 29 August 1980
• Place of birth: Cojímar, Cuba
• Profession: Actor and former model

William Levy was born in Cojimar, Cuba, and his maternal grandfather was Jewish. He is among the popular devout Catholic actors who adore their religion. The actor converted to Catholicism in 2009 and has been practising the religion since then. He is among the Catholic celebrities who attend mass.

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3. Vanessa Hudgens

• Full name: Vanessa Anne Hudgens
• Date of birth: 14 December 1988
• Place of birth: Salinas, California, United States
• Profession: Actress and singer

Vanessa Hudgens was raised as a Catholic. Her musical talents run in the family, as her grandparents were musicians. Vanessa is one of the Christian celebrities who describes herself as a spiritual person rather than religious.

She has experimented with numerous practices and beliefs, such as meditation, yoga, and philosophical studies.

2. Leonardo DiCaprio

• Full name: Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio
• Date of birth: 11 November 1974
• Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
• Profession: Actor and film producer

Leonardo DiCaprio was born in Los Angeles, California. He is the only child of Irmelin Indenbirken and George DiCaprio. He is one of the devout Catholic actors in Hollywood. DiCaprio is a passionate environmentalist and has even met up with Pope Francis.

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1. Nicole Scherzinger

• Full name: Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Scherzinger
• Date of birth: 29 June 1978
• Place of birth: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
• Profession: Singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and television personality

Nicole Scherzinger, an American singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and television personality, is one of the female Catholic celebrities. She is best known as the lead singer of The Pussycat Dolls.

Nicole was raised as a Roman Catholic and considered herself conservative with "really strong religious beliefs".

Growing up, Scherzinger attended church twice a week to make her mother proud. She nearly turned down the role of Penny in the 2017 Dirty Dancing TV version because her character suffered a child termination. She eventually chose to do it in the hopes of using her platform to raise awareness about the issue.

Are there famous anti-Catholic celebrities?

Celebrities who have expressed criticism over the Catholic church include Ariana Grande, Bill Maher, Christopher Hitchens, and. Richard Dawkins,

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Are there any openly Catholic celebrities?

Yes, there are many Catholic celebrities who are open and proud of their faith. These include Martin Scorsese, Stephen Colbert, Lady Gaga, and Selena Gomez.

Is Selena Gomez Catholic?

Yes, singer Selena Gomez is a Catholic.

Is Lady Gaga a Roman Catholic?

Lady Gaga was raised Catholic, and even went to a Roman Catholic school.

What British celebrities are Catholic?

Simon Callow, Henry Cavill, Frank Skinner, Dermot O'Leary, and Julie Etchingham are among the British celebrities who are Catholic.

Who are the famous Black Catholic celebrities?

Jidenna and Sterling K. Brown are among the Black Catholic celebs.

These are some of the famous Catholic celebrities. Some have used public platforms to express their Catholic faith and advocate for various social and moral issues.

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