Tom Cruise is undoubtedly one of the finest actors of his generation, but his Scientology beliefs leave a bad taste in his fans' mouths. During the recently-concluded Golden Globes ceremony, the Top Gun actor became the butt of the host, Jerrod Carmichael's jokes.
Carmichael teased Cruise for his Scientology beliefs, returning his Golden Globes gongs and missing Shelly Miscavige.
Here's what he said.
Carmichael joked that he found the three Golden Globe awards that Cruise returned. He pitched the actor, saying he'd like to trade the gongs for the safe return of Shelly Miscavige.
Let's break down the joke for people who don't know her connection to Scientology.
Shelly Miscavige is the wife of the Scientology leader and founder, David Miscavige, and she's been missing since 2007! There are several conspiracies about her disappearance, and it all leads back to her husband's religious beliefs.
Former Scientology member, Leah Remini, did an exposé in 2022 about the suspicious disappearance of Shelly Miscavige. She noted that the now-61-year-old was missing from Cruise's grand wedding to his ex-wife Katie Holmes.
It marked the first of the last time the then-45-year-old made a public appearance. Shelly eventually stopped going out in August 2007, causing people to wonder about her well-being and health status.
Remini added that Cruise, David, and Tommy Davis punished her for asking about Shelly's whereabouts.
After filing a missing persons report for Shelly, Remini learned from the media that the LAPD had found her. However, she still never made a public appearance and the detectives allegedly told Shelly that the information was classified.
Despite being one of the most prestigious awards in America for actors and earning three gongs, Cruise returned his Golden Globe Awards in 2022. The non-profit which organizes the ceremony, HFPA, came under criticism for its lack of diversity and ethical lapses.
Carmichael singled Cruise out because he's one of the highest profilers in the entertainment industry practicing Scientology. It's been a sore point for his fans and some of his colleagues, as the practice is also controversial for its secrecy.
Cruise converted to Scientology due to his first wife, Mimi Rogers' influence in the late Eighties. He's since been very vocal about being a member and allegedly tried to recruit some of his peers, including Seth Rogen.
Carmichael taking a dig at Cruise isn't the first time someone poked fun at him for being a Scientologist nor would it be the last time. Luckily, he wasn't there to witness it.
