Actors Who Don’t Believe In God

In an industry where public figures often thank a higher power at award ceremonies, Hollywood has also been home to numerous artists who walk a decidedly secular path. While discussing religion can be a delicate subject in the spotlight, many prominent performers have chosen complete transparency when it comes to their lack of faith.

For these actors, living without a belief in a deity is not an omission of morality, but rather an embrace of humanism, rationalism, and personal accountability. From classic cinema icons to modern blockbuster leads, here are notable actors who have publicly shared that they do not believe in God.

Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Radcliffe, who captured international fame portraying the titular wizard in the Harry Potter series, has always maintained an open and grounded approach regarding his personal philosophy. Raised in a household with both Jewish and Protestant roots, Radcliffe drifted away from spiritual thinking early in life, turning instead toward secular literature and science.

In several interviews, the actor has confirmed his lack of belief in a deity, once describing himself as an atheist and noting that he becomes especially vocal when religion interferes with civil legislation. He has expressed immense admiration for scientific educators and freethinkers, preferring an empirical understanding of the natural universe over supernatural explanations.

Keira Knightley

Oscar-nominated British actress Keira Knightley, renowned for her period dramas such as Pride & Prejudice and blockbuster franchises like Pirates of the Caribbean, is entirely open about her atheism. She grew up in a creative London household that encouraged open dialogue and independent thinking rather than religious adherence.

Knightley famously addressed her lack of belief in an interview with director David Cronenberg, where she playfully critiqued religious absolution. She joked that if she were not an atheist, she could simply ask for forgiveness to clear her conscience, remarking that living with personal responsibility and guilt requires true moral accountability.

Ricky Gervais

Comedian and actor Ricky Gervais, the creator and star of acclaimed series like The Office, Extras, and After Life, is among the entertainment industry’s most recognizable secular voices. Gervais lost his religious belief around the age of eight after his older brother questioned what their mother was teaching him about God, prompting an early realization about dogma.

Gervais frequently uses his stand-up routines, essays, and public appearances to dismantle religious arguments with wit and logic. He has written extensively on why he does not believe in a supreme creator, emphasizing that morality arises from evolutionary empathy and kindness rather than divine fear.

Emma Thompson

Acclaimed performer Emma Thompson, celebrated for her Oscar-winning work in Howards End and Sense and Sensibility, has long been unafraid to challenge religious norms. Thompson’s secular worldview is closely tied to her humanistic values and lifelong advocacy for women’s and human rights.

In multiple interviews, Thompson has described herself as an atheist and noted that she views organized faith with considerable skepticism. She has pointed out that centuries of dogma have frequently disenfranchised marginalized groups, arguing instead that humanity must locate its moral lodestone from within rather than external scriptures.

Cillian Murphy

Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy, best known for Oppenheimer and Peaky Blinders, was raised Catholic in Cork, Ireland. While he spent much of his early adulthood in an agnostic state of uncertainty, a specific creative project permanently shifted his perspective toward atheism.

While preparing for his role as a nuclear physicist in Danny Boyle’s 2007 science-fiction film Sunshine, Murphy spent extensive time consulting with physicists and researchers. Engaging deeply with astrophysical science and cosmology confirmed to him that the universe operates on physical laws rather than a divine blueprint.

Jodie Foster

Two-time Academy Award winner Jodie Foster, who made her mark in cinematic landmarks such as Taxi Driver and The Silence of the Lambs, has maintained a secular perspective for decades. A Yale graduate with an analytical mindset, she has spoken candidly about balancing a non-religious life with cultural appreciation.

In a 2007 interview, Foster bluntly confirmed that she is an atheist who does not believe in God. At the same time, she noted that she appreciates religious histories, family rituals, and holiday traditions, choosing to teach her children about multiple belief systems while remaining grounded in secular reality.

Javier Bardem

Spanish actor Javier Bardem, acclaimed for terrifying audiences as Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men and starring in Skyfall, was raised in a culturally Catholic background in Spain. However, he walked away from religious belief following personal loss and introspection.

Bardem has explained that the passing of his father helped him understand religion primarily as a human coping mechanism against mortality. In a widely quoted interview with GQ, he humorously summarized his grounded devotion to the craft of acting: “I don’t believe in God; I believe in Al Pacino”.

Julianne Moore

Academy Award winner Julianne Moore, famous for her commanding performances in Still Alice, Boogie Nights, and Far from Heaven, spent her childhood traveling due to her father’s military career. That exposure to shifting environments helped shape an independent and practical worldview.

During an appearance on Inside the Actors Studio, host James Lipton asked Moore what she would like God to say upon arriving at the pearly gates if heaven existed. Moore succinctly affirmed her lack of faith by quipping, “Well, I guess you were wrong, I do exist”.

Hugh Laurie

British actor Hugh Laurie gained worldwide acclaim playing the cynical, fiercely rational diagnostic genius Gregory House in the television medical drama House. In real life, Laurie’s personal philosophy isn’t far removed from his character’s skepticism.

Laurie has repeatedly stated that he does not believe in God, often remarking on the cosmic irony inherent in human superstition. He once humorously observed that if a deity did exist looking down, it would likely operate by penalizing complacency rather than providing divine benevolence.

Kevin Bacon

Kevin Bacon has enjoyed a diverse and lasting career in Hollywood, from breakout roles in Footloose to gripping character work in Mystic River and Apollo 13. Despite growing up in a Catholic household, Bacon rejected religious dogma as he grew into adulthood.

In a 2005 interview with The Times of London, Bacon straightforwardly said, “I don’t believe in God”. The actor elaborated that he is not hostile toward individuals with faith, but he remains an outspoken advocate for the complete separation of church and state in public life.

Paul Giamatti

Paul Giamatti, an Emmy and Golden Globe winner renowned for Sideways, Billions, and The Holdovers, grew up in an intellectually rigorous family headed by Yale president A. Bartlett Giamatti. He was raised without rigid religious instruction, absorbing a secular humanist ethos from his father.

In an interview with The Guardian, Giamatti declared without hesitation that he considers himself an atheist. While his wife and son are Jewish, he takes a relaxed approach to family traditions, joking that there is a long, proud intellectual tradition of Jewish atheism.

Ian McKellen

Stage and screen titan Sir Ian McKellen, beloved worldwide for portraying Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and Magneto in X-Men, has long paired his artistry with human rights activism. Having grown up in northern England, McKellen eventually abandoned formal religion as an adult.

McKellen is a staunch atheist who has pointed out how religious institutions have historically marginalized and persecuted LGBTQ+ individuals. He has even recounted removing homophobic passages from Bibles in hotel rooms, urging people to focus on compassion rather than archaic doctrines.

Brian Cox

Dundee-born Scottish actor Brian Cox, celebrated for his towering portrayal of media mogul Logan Roy in HBO’s Succession, has spent over six decades performing in theater and film. Though raised in a Catholic family, he grew increasingly skeptical of institutionalized faith as he matured.

Cox has openly stated that he is an atheist and considers theater to be the true “church of humanity”. In 2024, he sparked considerable debate when he criticized religious texts for perpetuating mythologies, arguing that humanity must look to itself rather than divine authority for ethical progress.

Katharine Hepburn

Classic Hollywood legend Katharine Hepburn earned an unprecedented four Academy Awards for Best Actress over her storied career. Known for her sharp wit and independent spirit, Hepburn refused to conform to social expectations, including religious conformity.

In a 1991 interview with Ladies’ Home Journal, Hepburn delivered a definitive declaration regarding her lack of belief: “I’m an atheist, and that’s it.” She asserted that humans cannot know of any afterlife or divine master, and that our sole duty is to be kind and helpful to one another while alive.

Seth MacFarlane

Seth MacFarlane, the voice actor, comedian, and creator behind Family Guy, American Dad!, and The Orville, has consistently woven secular perspectives into his creative output. Raised in Massachusetts, he became a skeptic early in life after evaluating the logical claims of theism.

MacFarlane is an outspoken atheist who regularly advocates for scientific literacy and secular governance. He has stated that wonder belongs to the natural cosmos and scientific inquiry, frequently criticizing the societal harm caused when theological claims override reason.

Kumail Nanjiani

Kumail Nanjiani, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter and actor known for The Big Sick and Marvel’s Eternals, was raised in a devout Shia Muslim household in Karachi, Pakistan. After moving to the United States for college, he experienced a gradual intellectual departure from the religious doctrines of his youth.

Nanjiani has detailed his deconversion on various podcasts and in stand-up routines, candidly discussing his transition from believer to atheist. He has explained that while he values the warmth of his cultural heritage, he cannot rationally reconcile belief in an omnipotent creator with the realities of the world.

Simon Pegg

British actor, screenwriter, and producer Simon Pegg has delighted audiences across the world in comedies like Shaun of the Dead and sci-fi franchises like Star Trek. While he grew up surrounded by conventional religious traditions, he drifted away from theism as an adult.

Pegg identifies as an atheist and has written humorously on the subject through social media and essays. He maintains that human morality should stand on its own feet without divine commands, arguing that kindness and mutual care must stem from genuine empathy rather than promises of paradise.

Andy Serkis

Andy Serkis revolutionized the film industry through his groundbreaking performance-capture work as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings and Caesar in Planet of the Apes. Behind his transformative acting is a grounded, naturalist perspective on existence.

Serkis has repeatedly described himself as an atheist who views life as an interconnected, natural cycle rather than the handiwork of a deity. He believes that humanity discovers meaning through storytelling, empathy, and art, finding spiritual fulfillment in nature without needing an afterlife.

Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren, who earned an Oscar for her regal portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen, has long been transparent about her philosophical views. Born to a Russian father and English mother, Mirren was shaped by a secular environment from childhood.

In an interview with Woman & Home, Mirren candidly explained: “I’d describe myself as a Christian who doesn’t believe in God. I can’t help being Christian because I was brought up in Britain… But I don’t believe in God”. She has emphasized that her guiding principles revolve entirely around empathy and human decency.

Matt Smith

Matt Smith captured global acclaim as the Eleventh Doctor in Doctor Who and later earned accolades for The Crown and House of the Dragon. The British actor’s intellectual journey took a defining turn during his time working in television.

Smith told The Guardian in 2011 that reading Richard Dawkins’ book The God Delusion had a profound effect on his understanding of physics and science. When asked about his faith, he stated plainly, “No, I’m not religious. At all. I’m an atheist”.

Peter Capaldi

Scottish actor and filmmaker Peter Capaldi, famous for his volcanic turn as Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It and his run as the Twelfth Doctor in Doctor Who, had a strict religious upbringing. Capaldi grew up attending Catholic schools in Glasgow, which exposed him early on to theological doctrine.

Despite that religious background, Capaldi subsequently shed his faith and openly identifies as an atheist. He has often credited his Catholic schooling with giving him an appreciation for drama, ritual, and imagery, but has reiterated that he holds no belief in the divine.

Christopher Eccleston

Christopher Eccleston, known for his performances in Doctor Who, The Leftovers, and Shallow Grave, was raised in a working-class northern English home. Although his mother was an active churchgoer, she never forced dogma upon him, allowing him to examine religion on his own terms.

On BBC’s The Heaven and Earth Show, Eccleston explicitly identified as an atheist, noting that his departure from belief was a natural intellectual evolution. He remarked that children are often fed theological comfort that can hinder intellectual development, expressing that he prefers viewing human life through a purely earthly lens.

Natalie Dormer

English actress Natalie Dormer, who gained prominence as Anne Boleyn in The Tudors and Margaery Tyrell in Game of Thrones, has explored intricate religious politics through many of her iconic on-screen characters.

Off-screen, Dormer maintains a secular personal philosophy. In a candid interview, she affirmed that she identifies as an atheist, adding with a sense of humor that while she keeps an open mind to mysterious life experiences, she lives without a belief in God or established dogma.

Jack Black

Jack Black, the exuberant comedic talent behind School of Rock, High Fidelity, and Tenacious D, was raised in a Jewish family in Southern California. While he celebrated his bar mitzvah, his commitment to traditional religious faith ceased shortly thereafter.

Black has openly described himself on national television and radio as an atheist. He has clarified that while he takes pride in his cultural Jewish identity, he possesses no personal belief in God, noting that performing and playing music provides the genuine spiritual elevation in his life.

Woody Allen

Prolific filmmaker and comic actor Woody Allen has built an entire cinematic canon around existential neuroses, mortality, and the cosmos. Raised in Brooklyn within a Jewish family, Allen abandoned theological faith during his youth.

Throughout his career, Allen has identified as an atheist, frequently channeling his lack of belief into celebrated one-liners and scripts. One of his most enduring reflections on existence humorously captured his stance: “To you, I’m an atheist. To God, I’m the loyal opposition.”

Stephen Fry

Beloved British polymath, actor, and host Stephen Fry, famous for Blackadder, Jeeves and Wooster, and hosting QI, is one of the world’s most eloquent advocates for humanism. Fry was raised in England and has identified as an atheist since his school years.

Fry made international headlines during an interview on Irish television when asked what he would say if confronted by God at the pearly gates. He passionately argued that the presence of horrific childhood diseases and suffering in nature makes the idea of an all-loving creator morally indefensible, championing reason and kindness instead.

David Cross

David Cross, an influential comedian and actor recognized for Arrested Development and Mr. Show, was raised in a culturally Jewish family in the American South. Growing up in an area heavily influenced by religious conservatism helped forge his skepticism.

Cross is an uncompromising atheist whose comedy often critiques dogmatism and religious privilege. He has consistently maintained that humanity should focus on reality, scientific progress, and social justice rather than deference to ancient mythical texts.

Patton Oswalt

Stand-up comedian and actor Patton Oswalt, known for Ratatouille, The King of Queens, and numerous dramatic roles, has never hidden his godless worldview. Oswalt was raised Catholic in Virginia before abandoning faith in his teens.

Oswalt frequently examines his atheism in his comedy specials, discussing how coping with profound grief and loss is grounded in human resilience rather than divine intervention. He views existence as a finite, precious journey that needs no supernatural promises to be meaningful.

Stellan Skarsgård

Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård, celebrated internationally for his performances in Good Will Hunting, Chernobyl, and Dune, grew up in an open-minded household in Gothenburg. His parents were non-believers who taught him to scrutinize authority and dogmatic rules.

Skarsgård has voiced strong humanist and atheist views in Swedish and international media, stating that morality does not require a divine hand. He has described the concept of an omnipotent god as illogical, actively advocating for strictly secular education in public schools.

John Malkovich

Two-time Oscar nominee John Malkovich, famed for his unpredictable and riveting performances in Dangerous Liaisons and Being John Malkovich, grew up in Illinois with parents who were themselves confirmed non-believers.

In an interview with The Independent, Malkovich clearly stated, “I’m an atheist”. He reiterated that he does not believe there is a divine architect controlling the universe, explaining that his moral framework is built entirely upon human beings and tangible real-world responsibility.

Joaquin Phoenix

Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix, known for Joker, Her, and Walk the Line, experienced religious extremism firsthand when his family briefly joined the Children of God group in South America. After his parents recognized the group’s true nature, they abandoned it and resettled in the United States.

That early experience cemented Phoenix’s rejection of religious doctrines. In a 2008 interview, he plainly stated: “I don’t believe in god. I don’t believe in an afterlife. I don’t believe in soul. I don’t believe in anything. I think it’s totally right for people to have their own beliefs… but to me it’s a pretty preposterous idea”.

Janeane Garofalo

Stand-up comedian and actress Janeane Garofalo, who became a cultural touchstone through Reality Bites and Wet Hot American Summer, was raised in a strict, conservative Catholic family in New Jersey.

Over time, Garofalo dismantled that religious upbringing and began openly identifying as an atheist. She frequently discusses her godlessness in her stage acts, humorously observing the absurdity of religious dogma while fiercely advocating for progressive political and secular causes.

Sarah Silverman

Comedian, author, and actress Sarah Silverman has built an acclaimed career starring in projects like The Sarah Silverman Program and Wreck-It Ralph. Raised in New Hampshire in a secular Jewish home, she holds deep cultural ties to Judaism without religious faith.

Silverman has repeatedly stated across her specials and podcast appearances that she does not believe in God or an afterlife. She champions the idea that ethics and kindness must stem from our common humanity and mutual empathy rather than the promise of heavenly rewards.

Alan Cumming

Tony-winning Scottish-American actor Alan Cumming, acclaimed for his work on Broadway in Cabaret and television in The Good Wife, was originally raised within the Church of Scotland.

Cumming officially broke away from the church after publicly acknowledging his non-belief. He proudly identifies as an atheist, stating that religion has far too often been employed as an instrument to justify oppression, guilt, and social intolerance against LGBTQ+ people.

Bill Nighy

Distinguished British actor Bill Nighy, beloved for his performances in Love Actually, About Time, and his Oscar-nominated turn in Living, was raised Catholic in Surrey, England.

As an adult, Nighy completely stepped away from faith. He has stated in interviews that he lives without belief in God or an afterlife, explaining that recognizing our time on Earth as finite makes daily life and human connections all the more meaningful.