Hispanic Actors Who Were in Cults

The intersection of Hollywood stardom and high-control organizations has been a subject of intense public fascination for decades. Many entertainers are drawn to groups that promise spiritual enlightenment or professional advantages but often find themselves in restrictive environments. This phenomenon extends to the Hispanic community where several prominent actors and figures have navigated these complex associations. The following list explores the stories of Latino men who have been involved with controversial sects or high-demand groups throughout their careers.

Michael Peña

This Mexican-American actor has been a dedicated member of the Church of Scientology since 2000. Known for his roles in ‘Crash’ (2004) and ‘Ant-Man’ (2015), Peña has publicly credited the organization with improving his ability to read scripts and perform as an actor. He has defended the church in various interviews by stating that it made him a better person and helped him control his alcohol consumption. His involvement remains one of the most high-profile examples of a Latino celebrity within the organization.

Eduardo Palomo

A beloved figure in Mexican telenovelas, Eduardo Palomo was a rising star known for his role in ‘Corazón Salvaje’ (1993) before his untimely death. He moved to Los Angeles to further his career and became deeply involved with the Church of Scientology during his time in Hollywood. Palomo was working on breaking into the American market when he suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 41. His funeral and memorial services were reportedly conducted with Scientology rites which highlighted his commitment to the faith until the end.

Joaquin Phoenix

Although he is often identified as white, the Academy Award-winning actor was born in Puerto Rico and spent his early childhood traveling through South America. His parents were missionaries for the Children of God which was a notorious cult that preached a mixture of hippie counterculture and religious fundamentalism. The family lived in poverty and moved frequently across Venezuela and Puerto Rico to spread the group’s message. Phoenix eventually left the group with his family when they became disillusioned with its increasingly disturbing practices.

River Phoenix

The late actor and older brother of Joaquin Phoenix also spent his formative years in the Children of God cult. Born in Oregon but raised in Latin America, he often busked on street corners in Venezuela to earn money for the family. River spoke openly in interviews about the loss of his innocence at a young age due to the group’s permissive attitude toward sexuality. His childhood experiences in the traveling sect profoundly shaped his worldview before his tragic death in 1993.

Pablo Santos

The Mexican actor known for his roles in ‘Greetings from Tucson’ (2002) and ‘The Proud Family’ (2001) was a promising young talent in Hollywood. Santos was an active Scientologist who had moved from Monterrey to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career. He died in a plane crash in Mexico in 2006 at the age of 19 which cut short a potential breakout career. His memorial service was held at the Scientology Celebrity Centre in Hollywood and confirmed his membership in the organization.

Jesse Garcia

Known for his roles in ‘Quinceañera’ (2006) and ‘Flamin’ Hot’ (2023), actor Jesse Garcia has spoken about his upbringing as a Jehovah’s Witness. The group is often categorized as a high-control organization due to its strict rules regarding shunning and isolation from non-members. Garcia was raised in the faith but eventually chose to leave the religion as he pursued his career in entertainment. His journey reflects the challenges many actors face when reconciling strict religious upbringings with the demands of a life in the arts.

Carlos Santana

The legendary Mexican-American guitarist was a devoted follower of the spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy from 1972 to 1981. During this period Santana lived a disciplined lifestyle that required him to abstain from drugs and alcohol while adopting the spiritual name Devadip. Former members have described the group as a high-control organization where the leader exercised total authority over his disciples’ lives. Santana eventually broke away from the guru because he found the lifestyle too restrictive and wanted to find his own path.

Eduardo Verástegui

This Mexican actor and producer known for ‘Sound of Freedom’ (2023) has been linked to the ultraconservative Catholic organization El Yunque. The group has been described as a secret society with a political agenda to infiltrate governments and impose its ideology. Verástegui has also been associated with the Legionaries of Christ which faced severe scrutiny and investigations regarding its leadership. His fervent promotion of specific religious and political narratives has drawn comparisons to the behavior of high-control ideological movements.

Yahir

The Mexican singer and actor who rose to fame on the reality show ‘La Academia’ (2002) was raised in a family of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He had to navigate the strict boundaries the faith places on social interactions and career choices while pursuing stardom. While he has achieved significant success in the secular world of telenovelas and pop music, his background in the high-control group remains a part of his personal history. The tension between the insular nature of the religion and the public nature of stardom is a common theme for entertainers from this background.

Sergio Mayer

A former member of the pop group Garibaldi and a well-known actor in telenovelas like ‘La Fea Más Bella’ (2006), Sergio Mayer has faced scrutiny for his connections to NXIVM. He admitted to taking the Executive Success Programs courses offered by the group in Mexico and was photographed at events with its leaders. Mayer has consistently denied being part of the inner circle or the criminal activities associated with the cult. His political career has kept these associations in the spotlight as critics question the extent of his involvement.

David Archuleta

The ‘American Idol’ (2002) runner-up and singer of Honduran descent was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While a mainstream religion, the church’s strict missionary requirements and high demands on members’ lives have led some critics to label it a high-control group. Archuleta served a two-year mission in Chile at the height of his career which demonstrated his deep commitment to the faith. He has since stepped back from the church after coming out as part of the LGBTQ+ community and speaking about the conflict between his faith and identity.

Cedric Bixler-Zavala

The lead singer of The Mars Volta and At the Drive-In is of Mexican descent and was a Scientologist for several years. He appeared in the film ‘Get Him to the Greek’ (2010) and has been a prominent figure in the alternative music scene. Bixler-Zavala left the church and became one of its most vocal critics after his wife accused a fellow celebrity member of sexual assault. He has publicly alleged that the organization harassed his family and poisoned his dogs in retaliation for speaking out.

If you know of any other actors with similar stories, let us know in the comments.