'It Was One of My Darker Secrets': Chuck Lorre Feels 'Humiliated' by the Decade He Spent as a Scientologist

Television producer Chuck Lorre recalled feeling humiliated by his time in Scientology. In his new memoir, Sitcom, the creator of Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory, opened up about his decade-long stint with the religion. It was one of my darker secrets, he said during a recent interview. I was so humiliated. It was a decade of my life. Chuck got involved in Scientology long before he became the king of sitcoms. He first encountered the religion while struggling in Columbus, Ohio. He signed up, promising the church one billion years of service, but lasted only two days. Contractually, I owe the Church of Scientology a billion years of labor minus two days, he wrote. Eventually, he got out and moved on after landing a writing job. He and his then-wife, Paula Smith, left after feeling disillusioned. Later in his career, he faced backlash. She informed me that as a blown Scientologist, and therefore considered a suppressive person, she couldn't work with me. I found this a little upsetting and told her to choke herself. I don't have any regrets, Chuck said, looking back on his pathway.