THE 30 MOST FAMOUS JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

There are famous Jehovah's Witnesses who profess this religion that corresponds to a more primitive form of Christianity, attached to the one that Jesus practiced with his apostles, according to his own words.

Jehovah's Witnesses have their own interpretation of the Bible, called the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, whose main function is to worship Jehovah as creator and true god.

Among some of their curious facts is that they preach their teachings in the streets, from door to door and do not celebrate birthdays or traditional holidays such as Christmas or the New Year.

Today, there are a large number of personalities from the world of music, culture and politics who share ideas and dogma.

30 well-known Jehovah's Witnesses and their stories

1- Michael Jackson

The famous American singer and songwriter Prince, converted to Jehovah's Witnesses in 2001, after the death of his mother. Despite being recognized worldwide for his homosexuality and his excesses in all areas, Prince was a believer in God and for a time, he practiced the beliefs of this faith.

His family belonged to the Seventh-day Adventist religion, which bears many similarities to the belief of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Prince carried the faith in his own way, but he handed out pamphlets on the street which led him to connect more with people. There are even rumors that his death may have occurred due to not accepting forbidden medical treatments for Jehovah's Witnesses.

3- Luke Evans

The famous actor recognized for his films "Robin Hood" (2010), "The Hobbit" (2012 and 2014) and "Fast and Furious 6" (2013) participated in the Jehovah's Witness religion. His family raised him down this faith, without celebrating his birthdays or holidays like Christmas.

The actor considers that the activity of going door to door preaching with his parents, although it was very difficult for him as a child, helped him to forge his character and learn to overcome rejection, which was very useful in his training as an actor and in not be accepted in some jobs.

4- Michelle Rodríguez

The famous American actress who starred in films like the "Fast and Furious" and "Avatar" saga, as well as hit series like "Lost," was raised under the strict precepts of Jehovah's Witnesses and used to attend church every day with his grandmother. She also participated in door-to-door preaching work.

For Michelle Rodríguez, the religion in which she grew up was an inspiration for a permanent search for spirituality and other beliefs.

The actress defines herself as an existentialist, although at present she is no longer a practitioner or actively participates in this religion.

5- Dwight Eisenhower

The 34th President of the United States between 1953 and 1961 was also raised in the faith of the Jehovah's Witnesses. His father introduced him to religion in 1915, although when he became an adult, Dwight Eisenhower and his brothers left the Jehovah's Witnesses

However, the influence of religion was significant in his life, as during his second inauguration as president, he used a Jehovah's Witness Bible.

It is further said that he added the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, during his tenure as President of the United States.

6- George Benson

The renowned American musician, jazz guitarist and singer, is famous for his song “This Masquerade”, for which he won the Grammy Awards in 1978. George Benson is currently semi-retired from music, and is an active participant in Jehovah's Witnesses even already belong to the Elders of the Congregation.

The Elders are the men who have been in the religion the longest and are chosen for their maturity and spiritual knowledge to lead the rest of the members of the congregation, guiding, advising and encouraging other members of the faith to continue on the path of the spirituality of this religion.

7- Mickey Spillane

This important American writer, known for his crime noir novels and his protagonist, private detective Mike Hammer, converted to the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses, despite the content and plot of his books, considered pornographic and immoral on the part from other members of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Over the years, more than 250 million copies of his books have been sold worldwide and he is one of the top 15 best-selling fiction authors in America.

Mickey Spillane also has the distinction of having played his own famous character Mike Hammer, in the movie "I, the Jury." Spillane continued to write until the date of his death in 2006.

8- Jill Scott

This well-known American actress and singer is famous for her collaborations as a jazz, rhythm and blues vocalist with musicians Eric Benet, Common and Will Smith and her participation in the Broadway musical Rent.

Jill Scott also won a Grammy Award in 2005 for her song “Cross MyMind,” in the BestUrban / Alternative R&B style. She is currently the lead actress on the HBO series “Number One Ladies, Detective Agency,” the story of a single woman trying to run her own business in Botswana.

As a child, from the age of 12, Jill was raised by her grandmother under the faith of the Jehovah's Witnesses, yet she was never baptized. She does not currently belong to any religious association.

9- Selena

The famous American Texan-style singer known as the queen of “tex-mex”, Selena Quintanilla, (1971-1995) assassinated by the president of her fan club at the height of her career, was part of a family that respected all the principles of the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses.

In fact, it is said that the moment he arrived at the hospital after being shot, the doctors suggested giving a blood transfusion, to which his father flatly refused.

Selena Quintanilla also did not celebrate her birthday, because during the birthday the celebration is only for an individual, while the Jehovah's Witnesses want to always give their attention to Jehovah, so they asked their followers not to remember it during their birthday.

10- Serena and Venus Williams

The world famous and successful tennis players were raised under the teachings of the Jehovah's Witnesses and to this day profess the faith. Venus Williams has the same upbringing and follows the precepts of religion despite criticism.

However, the congregation has criticized the sisters' costumes and the fact that neither of them has been baptized, as well as their obvious nationalism, although according to the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses a person cannot demonstrate affiliation to any country or ideal other than Jehovah.

Still, to this day, Serena Williams has made public her appreciation to her faith and Jehovah for helping her achieve all of her sporting goals and has stated that she is seeking to marry a man who professes her same beliefs.

11- Geri Halliwell

The well-known British singer and former Spice Girl, Geri Halliwell grew up under the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses under the influence of her mother and like every child in religion, she lived her childhood without celebrating birthdays or important holidays such as Christmas.

Shortly after, the singer left religion at the time of beginning her singing career in a transgressive and controversial group like the Spice Girls were in their time.

Even rumors say that before that period, some of her jobs were posing as a nude model. She is currently married and has a daughter, Bluebell.

12- Terrence Howard

The famous American actor Terrence Howard, known for his films such as "Iron Man", "The Brave One", "Pride", "Crash", "Mr. Holland's Opus ”and“ Hustle & Flow ”have openly shown an approach to Jehovah's Witnesses, especially as host of the documentary series Knocking, which is an inside look at the beliefs of this religion.

Terrence Howard has declared that he would like to be a Jehovah's Witness, while his wife raises their children under the precepts of this faith.

13- Naomi Campbell

Successful British model and businesswoman Naomi Campbell was born and raised by her mother in the Jehovah's Witness faith, although she is no longer a practitioner.

Naomi, in addition to her great career as a model, is known for her permanent spiritual search for religions, which has led her to be part of cults as different as the Hebrew Kabbalah, Candomblé in Brazil, the Orthodox Church in Russia and many others.

14- Patti Smith

The controversial punk rocker from the '70s was raised in a family that professed the Jehovah's Witness faith. From her faith formation she still maintains her interest in studying the Bible, although she is no longer an active participant in religion, which she abandoned at the age of 13.

Patti Smith's sister is still a Jehovah's Witness and for Patti religion and spirituality are very important, she considers that God is present in all aspects, but above all her interest is in the human condition.

Patti drew on her knowledge of ancient scriptures to write the song "MercyIs", one of the main themes of the new version of the movie "Noah."

15- Dave Mustaine

The leader of the heavy metal band Megadeth was raised as a Jehovah's Witness during his childhood. Upon becoming a musician he left religion and began his path as a guitarist in another major metal group, Metallica, from where he was expelled for his alcoholism in the early 1980s.

Since 1983, Dave Mustaine has had a successful musical career with Megadeth. But it wasn't until 2002 that an accident to his right arm made him seek to reconnect with religion and spirituality. Today, Dave Mustaine claims to have been reborn to religion.

16- Sherri Shepherd

The American comedian was also raised in a family that professed the Jehovah's Witness faith. When at age 14 she told her family that she was interested in boys, she was harshly disapproved by the Elders of the congregation, and they forbade her from speaking to or looking at young people of the opposite sex.

But at 17, Sherri had her first boyfriend and was unable to continue serving the punishment. However, her real break with religion was when the Elders forbade her to speak to her father, because she was doubting their wisdom.

Despite that, Sherri has always stated that faith is a fundamental part of her life and her faith in God is an important pillar in her life.

17- Xzibit

The American rapper and television host was raised in a family that professed the Jehovah's Witness faith, but now no longer practices religion.

18- Janet Jackson

Like her older brother Michael Jackson, Janet was raised in the Jehovah's Witness faith, but her differences with religion caused her to stop practicing it.

Janet has stood out as a talented woman who managed to build a career in show business without being in the shadow of her famous brother. In addition to being successful in music, she has developed a facet of fashion designer with great success.

19- Lou Whitaker

Lou Whitaker was one of the most recognized baseball players in United States sports history and a former Major League Baseball player.

He always continued to profess his faith openly as a Jehovah's Witness, being even more important than his successful career with the Detroit Tigers. Currently, Lou Whitaker is considered one of the best players of all time.

20- Coco Rocha

Young Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha is an active and outspoken practitioner of the Jehovah's Witness faith. Despite her successful career in the world of fashion, Coco has always declared that her religion is very important although there are few who dare to say so publicly.

21- Chet Lemon

Another prominent Major League Baseball player is an active practitioner of the Jehovah's Witness religion. During his career he has participated in the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers teams, with whom he won the World Series in 1984. He has been a Jehovah's Witness since his teens.

22- Ja Rule

The rapper, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, was raised in the faith of the Jehovah's Witnesses by his mother, but left the religion when she was disenrolled from the congregation.

However, he recognizes the importance of God and spirituality in his life, which is why he is currently under the guidance of Pastor Lentz and has produced some songs with gospel influences.

23 - The Notorious BIG

This young rapper, murdered in 1997 for what is believed to have been a revenge for the death of fellow musician Tupak Shakur a year earlier. However, in addition to his life in music, he was also raised as a Jehovah's Witness.

24 - Damon Wayans

This famous comedian, director and television producer and film producer, was raised along with his brothers also as a Jehovah's Witness in a family where religion was fundamental. Most of them are still active practitioners of this faith.

25 - Gloria Naylor

The American novelist Gloria Naylor, was part of the Jehovah's Witness religion during her youth. She is famous for her book The Women of Brewster Place, published in 1982, which won an American Book Award for best novel.

The story of a group of black women seeking to assert their rights in a neighborhood that was running over them was the plot of a mini-series and then a hit series in the 1990s.

Other books of his authorship are Linden Hills (1985), Mama Day (1988) and Bailey's Café (1992), where he introduces himself into the world of female sexuality.

26 - Teresa Graves

Teresa Graves, the famous American actress and singer, converted to the Jehovah's Witnesses faith, which prevented her from continuing to perform the role that made her renowned "Get Christie Love," a hit television series about a woman African-American policeman, who seduced men and killed villains.

Shortly after, he left television and dedicated his life entirely to religion, until his death in 2002.

27 - Kid Gavilan

Boxer Gerardo González, better known as Kid Gavilan, embraced the faith of Jehovah's Tesgos during his adult life.

This Cuban athlete became known for being one of the very few boxers who have never been knocked out during their careers and for beating such famous competitors as SugarRay Robinson, Bobo Olson, Carmen Basilio and Tommy Bell.

28 - Dave Meyers

Basketball player DaveMeyers, famous for playing four seasons in the NBA. During his adulthood he became a Jehovah's Witness, actively participating.

During his later years he was part of the Elders of the congregation and organized basketball classes and clinics for children. She died in 2015.

29 - Mark McCumber

This American professional golfer is an active and devoted practitioner of the Jehovah's Witness faith. In 1988 he won the Players Championship. Today he is dedicated to preaching his religion and showing people that Jehovah's Witnesses are good citizens.

30 - Gary Gygax

Ernest Gary Gygax, the famous American designer and co-creator of the video game Dungeons and Dragons was an active Jehovah's Witness and a fervent Christian who passed away in 2008.

References

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