10 Celebrities You Didn’t Know Were Mormon
For a religion rooted in Utah and tied closely to family, discipline, and structure, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has produced more than its share of famous faces. Here are surprising celebs with Mormon beginnings.
Ryan Gosling
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Ryan’s mother raised him Mormon, and church teachings shaped his daily routine, right down to what he ate and watched. He once described his upbringing as being led by a “religious zealot,” though he now views it more as a formative chapter than a lasting identity.
Bryce Harper
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One of MLB’s most recognizable stars, Harper grew up in Las Vegas, attending early-morning seminary and carrying scripture verses on his bats. His faith influenced how he approached discipline, commitment, and performance.
Chelsea Handler
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Handler grew up in a religiously divided household—her father was Jewish and her mother Mormon. She’s since leaned into her Jewish identity, but she’s talked openly about how being raised with two very different belief systems gave her plenty of material, and maybe a bit of skepticism, too.
Amy Adams
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Raised in the church until about age 11, Adams has said Mormonism shaped her values more than her beliefs. She credits religion with instilling a sense of optimism and responsibility, even if she no longer practices it. In interviews, she’s admitted that “religious guilt” still creeps in now and then.
Dan Reynolds
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The Imagine Dragons frontman has one of the more complicated relationships with his Mormon roots. He once followed church teachings closely but became one of its most vocal critics after witnessing how it affected some youth groups. His exit became part of his activism, primarily through his LoveLoud Foundation.
Katherine Heigl
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Though she no longer identifies with the church, Heigl has credited her Mormon upbringing for giving her structure and stability as a child. She’s mentioned that following rules, respecting authority, and valuing discipline helped her stay grounded during her early years in the entertainment industry.
David Archuleta
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Archuleta famously paused his career to serve a mission for the LDS Church. Later, after coming out publicly, he distanced himself from the faith. He’s since spoken about the emotional toll it took and the internal conflict it created.
Christina Aguilera
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Aguilera’s parents were Mormons and were married in a Latter-day Saints temple. Though her family left the church, it’s a lesser-known part of her upbringing. She went on to become Catholic and hasn’t spoken much about her LDS roots, which contrast sharply with her career as a pop provocateur.
Brendon Urie
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Urie has described the dual feelings of gratitude and judgment that came with being raised Mormon. He says he still holds onto some values from his upbringing, even though the church itself didn’t feel like a place he could grow in.
Eliza Dushku
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Dushku’s early acting career didn’t sit well with her religious family. When she landed edgier parts, including her role on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it created tension. Eventually, she stepped away from Mormonism altogether, saying later that its stance on specific social issues didn’t sit right with her.
Jewel
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Jewel’s childhood started in a traditional Mormon household in Alaska, but that changed fast after her parents’ divorce. Her father’s behavior changed, and church attendance stopped. In her memoir, she describes those years with clarity, not romanticizing them, but not ignoring how formative they were either.
Paul Walker
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Walker wasn’t vocal about religion during his career, but he did acknowledge that being raised Mormon influenced how he saw family, loyalty, and community. It wasn’t something he flaunted, but people close to him often noted how his moral compass reflected those early lessons.
Benson Boone
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Before his breakout hit and American Idol appearance, Boone enrolled at Brigham Young University. He hasn’t said much publicly about his time in the church, but his choice of college—and his early career moves—suggest a life that started with LDS values, even if he’s moved away from them now.
Aaron Eckhart
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Eckhart was all in as a young man—he even served a two-year Mormon mission in Switzerland. But over time, his relationship with the faith faded. He’s been candid about not living the lifestyle for years and says he’d feel dishonest calling himself Mormon today.
Donny and Marie Osmond
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Unlike most names here, Donny and Marie still live by LDS principles. Their public personas—wholesome, clean-cut, family-first—are true reflections of the values they were raised with. Over the years, they’ve credited the church with helping them navigate fame while staying grounded.