PentPop: A List of Pentecostal Celebrities

The following is an incomplete list of celebrities who have some connection to Pentecostalism or Charismatic Christianity (i.e. raised in a Pentecostal church, converted to Pentecostalism, attended a Pentecostal church at some point, etc.). Celebrities are separated into loose categories. Full profiles of individual celebrities may follow. This list will be updated periodically. Suggestions for additions are welcome.

MUSIC
David Bazan
Toni Braxton
Billy Ray Cyrus
Charlie Daniels
Caleb Followill (Kings of Leon)
Jared Followill (Kings of Leon)
Matthew Followill (Kings of Leon)
Nathan Followill (Kings of Leon)
Al Green
Joe Jonas (Jonas Brothers)
Kevin Jonas (Jonas Brothers)
Nick Jonas (Jonas Brothers)
Robert Kelly (R. Kelly)
Avril Lavigne
Jerry Lee Lewis
Dolly Parton
Josh T Pearson
Richard Penniman (Little Richard)
Katy Perry
Elvis Presley
Axl Rose
Joseph Simmons (Rev. Run)
Hank Snow
Rae Spoon

TV and FILM
Drew Carey
Duane Chapman (Dog the Bounty Hunter)
Giancarlo Esposito
Megan Fox
Jon Gosselin
Kate Gosselin
Gavin McLeod
Marilyn Monroe
Denzel Washington

SPORTS
Ted DiBiase (The Million Dollar Man; WWF)
Frank Francisco (MLB)
Phil Jackson (NBA)
Jon Jones (UFC)
Mariano Rivera (MLB)
Katie Taylor (Boxing)
David Thornton (NFL)

POLITICS
Joshua DuBois (D)
Sarah Palin (R)
Rick Perry (R)
Pat Robertson (R)
Al Sharpton (D)

MISC
Sam Kinison (comedian)

Pentecostalism in Film and TV: A List

Here is a very preliminary list of films and television shows featuring Pentecostal or Charismatic Christianity. In terms of what qualified, I included films that explicitly mention Pentecostalism, and films which include speaking in tongues, snake handling, faith healing, or other ecstatic religious activity in an Evangelical Christian context. As a result, some of the films may have only a very tenuous relationship to Pentecostalism (something which I will address in individual reviews as I write them). I included only those documentaries which have had a widespread release. The Television section is extremely underdeveloped at this stage. I welcome any suggested additions that anyone might have. Thanks to David Henson for sharing his dissertation on Pentecostals in film, which provided several additions to this list.

 

Feature Films

Alambrista! (1977)
The Apostle (1997)
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
The Campaign (2012)
Cape Fear (1991)
Elmer Gantry (1960)
Higher Ground (2011)
I'm Not There. (2007)
Leap of Faith (1992)
Paradise Recovered (2010)
Rachel, Rachel (1968)
Screen Door Jesus (2003)
Spitfire (1934)
Tarnished Angel (1938)
There Will Be Blood (2007)
The Visitation (2006)

Selected Documentary Films

Audience of One (2007)
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)
Holy Ghost People (1967)
Jesus Camp (2006)
Katy Perry: Part of Me (2012)
Marjoe (1972)
Religulous (2008)

 

Television

Justified, Season 4 (FX, 2013)
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit (BBC, 1990)
The Simpsons, "Homer the Heretic" (Fox, 1992)
South Park, "Probably" (Comedy Central, 2010)
X-Files, "Signs and Wonders" (Fox, 2000)