Home Top

Child star of Everybody Loves Raymond commits suicide at 19: Actor who played Ray Romano's twin son shoots himself dead
Was Baltimore suspect killed by deadly paddy wagon 'nickel ride'? Freddie Gray was NOT wearing a seatbelt and may have been tossed to death in abusive practice that's killed before
Apple smartwatch on sale from today... but not in stores: Customers will have to wait until June to get delivery after ordering online
Mystery of the passing out passengers remains unsolved: Investigation finds NOTHING wrong with plane which was forced to dive 30,000ft as people on board lost consciousness
The IKEA relationship curse! Experts warn trips to the store can spell doom for couples and say loved-up patrons must avoid hard-to-build item known as the 'Divorcemaker'
Woman who shot her lawyer boyfriend dead as he tried to split up with her before his date with beauty queen is guilty of murder
Our climate models are WRONG: Global warming has slowed - and recent changes are down to 'natural variability', says study
Why Lenin's corpse looks better with age: Scientists reveal experimental embalming methods used on the Soviet leader
Back to work! Disgraced ESPN sports reporter Britt McHenry returns to the sideline this weekend just a week after furore over vicious verbal attack on tow clerk
Judge who stunned the nation by saying a 14-year-old was partly responsible for her own RAPE receives a lifetime achievement award
Two extra bodies on drone cam were first sign that strike had gone terribly wrong: CIA officials tell of shocking realization that they might have killed innocent hostages
Wife of American in drone strike condemns the White House for treating her husband as an 'annoyance'
American jihadist killed in drone strike was former Little Leaguer who grew up to become Osama Bin Laden's spokesman
A hug from the executioner... then two gay men are stoned to death: ISIS murderers stage show of kindness for the cameras before brutal killing
'ISIS militant' from San Diego who was caught out by his AK-47 Facebook photos is charged with lying to the FBI
'We came to this country looking for peace': Families of Minnesota ISIS suspects accuse FBI of setting them up
Dzohokar Tsarnev's family - but not his mother - arrive in the US ahead of his defense testimony
Trial hears how Boston victim Martin Richard, 8, suffered 'visceral pain' before he died as jury decides if Dzohkar Tsarnaev should be executed
Male student sues Columbia University over classmate who carried a mattress around campus and accused him of raping her
EXCLUSIVE: Bill Cosby confidential: Disgraced comic files papers to prevent release of his sealed deposition in 2005 sexual assault lawsuit settled out of court
Three new women accuse Bill Cosby of sexual assault: Alleged victims say they were drugged by star in claims that bring total number of accusations to 38
WNBA star Brittney Griner, 6'8", arrested after argument with her 6'3" fiancee turned physical and relatives were unable to break them up
Dr. Oz comes out fighting! 'America's physician' says he's being hounded for speaking out against GM foods
'I was a survivor and I LOVED my life': Young mother, 44, writes heartbreaking obituary for herself before she passes away after long battle with cancer

'When I met Tom Cruise I thought I'd find out what he was into': Russell Crowe reveals he sought advice from Hollywood actor about becoming a Scientologist

By Danielle Gusmaroli for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 18:38 EST, 22 April 2015 | Updated: 07:32 EST, 23 April 2015

View
comments

He is not known for his fervent religious beliefs but Russell Crowe reveals he once seriously considered becoming a Scientologist.

The 51-year-old Gladiator star says he sought advice from Top Gun star Tom Cruise, known for his deep devotion to the controversial religion, when he contemplated signing up.

Crowe said it was at a time when Cruise, 52, was married to Nicole Kidman and told People: 'From a young kid, I was quite interested in religion'.

Scroll down for video

Looking for direction: Gladiator star Russell Crow says he sought advice from Top Gun actor Tom Cruise, known for his deep devotion to the controversial religion Scientology, when he contemplated signing up

'When I met Tom, when he was married to Nicole [Kidman], we were spending a bit of time together so I thought I'd find out a little bit about what he was into.'

However, he says the actor did not try to peddle his beliefs and told him simply if he was interested in The Church of Scientology he would join of his own volition.

The Oscar-winner told Interview magazine in 2005 that not being christened was 'a pretty big deal in New Zealand in 1964.'

In an interview with actor Paul Giamatti he said: 'Growing up, we always had this odd relationship with the church..we didn't really go as a family, my mother was totally fine with the idea of me going to church on my own.

It's your choice: Tom, known for his obsession with the Church, told Crowe if he was interested in it he would join of his own volition

'So I'd go and have a look at a Catholic service or a Presbyerian service or an Anglican service.

'I went to a temple. The Baha'i faith is something I looked at as well. Although I wasn't brought up in a religious household, I'm a very inquisitive person about it'

The Scientology Church has come under the spotlight on numerous occasions due to its extreme beliefs.

Firm believer: Hollywood star John Travolta attends the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre 44th Anniversary Gala in August 2013 in Los Angeles, and says his experiences have been positive

John Travolta defends Church of Scientology while on GMA

More recently a hard-hitting Scientology documentary by HBO entitled Going Clear alleged abusive practices went on at the religion's US headquarters, claims which have been strenuously denied by the Church.

Crowe, who is currently starring in The Water Diviner, and who once revealed he was never baptised, says he never became a member, contrary to previous reports.

'I never ended up putting my two cents down on anybody's table,' he told People, adding: 'I've never graced [Scientology's] doorway.'

Where it all happens: An HBO documentary claims to have revealed secrets about the church of Scientology, pictured is headquarters

HBO's 'Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief'

Hollywood star John Travolta is also a dedicated Scientologist, and slammed the new documentary, saying his decades of personal experience at the church have been positive.

Speaking to the Tampa Bay Times he said: 'I've been so happy with my experience in the last 40 years...that I really don't have anything to say that would shed light on (a documentary) so decidedly negative.'

Going Clear, which has not been broadcast in the UK or Ireland for legal reasons, examines the Church's founder, L. Ron Hubbard, the church's finances and its relationships with celebrities such as Tom Cruise and Travolta.