Thomas W. Davis
Encyclopedia
Thomas W. "Tommy" Davis (born August 18, 1972) is the head of the Church of Scientology
's Celebrity Centre International in Los Angeles
, California
.
as a non-uniformed member. According to a Church of Scientology press release, in 2001 Davis was the Celebrity Centre
's Vice President. He is the head of the Church of Scientology
's Celebrity Centre International in Los Angeles
, California
.
On June 13, 2003, Davis went with actor and Scientologist Tom Cruise
and Kurt Weiland
, director of external affairs for Scientology's Office of Special Affairs
and Scientology vice president of communications, to meet with then-United States
Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage
. In the half-hour long private meeting, they raised concerns with Armitage about the treatment of Scientologists in Germany
and other countries.
Davis is a senior-level Scientologist, spokesman for the Church of Scientology
, and a member of the Church of Scientology
's Sea Org
anization or "Sea Org". He is a member of the International Association of Scientologists
, and was listed as a Patron of the organization in 2006 in their publication Impact Magazine.
writer Janet Reitman along with former head of Scientology's Office of Special Affairs
Mike Rinder
on a tour of the Gold Base
in Hemet, California
in 2005. In 2007, Davis gained international attention from events surrounding the making of a documentary about Scientology entitled "Scientology and Me
", screened as an installment of the BBC
public affairs series Panorama
. The Panorama reporter, John Sweeney
, reported that he met with Davis early on and could not reach agreement with him on whether individuals attacking Scientology should be interviewed for the film, and whether the program should refer to Scientology as a "cult". As the BBC documentary was filmed, Scientologists made a parallel documentary, a camera crew shadowing Sweeney and chronicling his work.
While Sweeney was visiting the Scientology exhibition "Psychiatry: An Industry of Death
", Davis accused him of being biased and of having been too easy on one of his interviewees. Sweeney lost his temper. The Church of Scientology released the resulting footage, showing Sweeney beside himself with rage, on YouTube
, and the counter-documentary attacking Sweeney's methods was posted to UK politicians and media organizations. Panorama responded by posting its own YouTube clip, showing Davis losing his temper and abruptly ending an interview when Sweeney used the words "sinister cult". The BBC subsequently stated it was happy that on the whole, Sweeney had performed his work in a fair and proper manner.
In the same BBC documentary, Davis interrupted when celebrity members are asked about Xenu
, saying: "None of us know what you're talking about. It's loony. It's weird." In a May 8, 2008 appearance on CNN
, Davis was asked by CNN's John Roberts if "... the basic tenet of the Church of Scientology is to rid the body of space-alien parasites, to clear oneself"; Davis responded: "Well, John, does that sound silly to you? I mean it’s unrecognizable to me." In response, Tony Ortega of The Village Voice
stated "It’s also a grand tradition, among Scientology spokespeople, to act bewildered when they’re facing a camera and they’re asked about Xenu and space-alien thetans. Tommy Davis is just doing what other mouthpieces have said in the past." In March 2009 Davis was interviewed by investigative journalist
Nathan Baca for KESQ-TV
and was again asked about the OT III
materials containing the Xenu myth. When read an excerpt from Hubbard's writing, Davis told Baca "I'm familiar with the material," and called it "the confidential scriptures of the Church".
After the death of Jett Travolta, son of celebrity Scientologist John Travolta
, the Church came under fire from critical groups accusing it of being irresponsible; Jett had died of a seizure soon after being taken off of his medication. Tommy Davis responded by denying that the Church keeps people from taking medications, and also denying that the Church claims to cure disease
. He stated in one interview, "The bottom line is that Scientologists seek conventional medical treatment for medical conditions."
Davis was interviewed by journalist Martin Bashir
for the ABC News
program Nightline in a piece "Inside Scientology" which aired in October 2009. Davis ripped off his microphone and stormed off the set of the interview after he was questioned about whether he believed that 75 million years ago a galactic ruler called Xenu
brought individuals to Earth and killed them in volcanoes. An hour before the segment aired he showed up at ABC
headquarters, and demanded a security guard let him in. Security called Nightline representatives, and they met with Davis who demanded the segment not be aired and he be allowed to speak with Bashir. Davis was told Bashir couldn't meet with him, and the interview was already edited and would air. The following week director Paul Haggis
accused Davis of lying on CNN
, when Davis said disconnection
did not happen, but Haggis and his wife were "ordered" by Scientology to disconnect from family. Haggis, in the same letter, announced he was leaving the organization. Davis responded that Haggis's claims were based on misunderstandings. In 2009, Larry Anderson, an actor, spoke with Davis about getting his money and leaving Scientology, which was reported in the St. Petersburg Times
.
In July 2010 the Church of Scientology International
publicized a "Scientology Newsroom" website tailored for members of the media; Davis was one of four international representatives for Scientology listed as spokespersons. John Sweeney
and a former Scientology relations officer stated in a BBC documentary, The Secrets of Scientology
, that Tommy Davis authorised the following of John in order to provoke a reaction by mental engagement. Tommy was quoted to say "I can drive him 'psychotic'."
. He has a half-brother, Jeffrey Tucker Jastrow.
Davis was raised as a Christian Scientist
, but after taking two courses at Celebrity Centre, he converted to Scientology at age of 17. In 1990, Davis was accepted at Columbia University
. He attended college for a semester, but dropped out to join the Sea Org.
Davis is a friend of actor and Scientologist Tom Cruise
, and a former friend of actor Jason Beghe
, who left the church in 2007. He is independently wealthy as his family obtained success in the real estate
business, and told Rolling Stone: "I have enough money to never work a day in my life." In 2009, Davis was a resident of Scientology's campus in Gilman Hot Springs, California
, which also contains Scientology's organization Golden Era Productions
.
He is married to Jessica Feshbach, a fellow spokesperson for Church of Scientology.
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
's Celebrity Centre International in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Celebrity Centre
Davis works for the Sea OrgSea Org
The Sea Organization or Sea Org is an association of Scientologists established in 1968 by L. Ron Hubbard, the science fiction writer and founder of Scientology. Its members are found in the central management organizations of the Church of Scientology as well as in individual churches...
as a non-uniformed member. According to a Church of Scientology press release, in 2001 Davis was the Celebrity Centre
Celebrity Centre
Celebrity Centres are Church of Scientology facilities that are open to the public but serve mostly artists and celebrities and other "professionals, leaders and promising new-comers in the fields of the arts, sports, management and government", as "those are the people who are sculpting the...
's Vice President. He is the head of the Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
's Celebrity Centre International in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
On June 13, 2003, Davis went with actor and Scientologist Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV , better known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and he has won three Golden Globe Awards....
and Kurt Weiland
Kurt Weiland
Kurt Weiland is a native of Austria and an executive in the Church of Scientology International. He is director of external affairs for the Church of Scientology's Office of Special Affairs, and Scientology's vice president of communications. He is a member of the organization's board of directors,...
, director of external affairs for Scientology's Office of Special Affairs
Office of Special Affairs
The Office of Special Affairs or OSA is a department of the Church of Scientology. According to the Church, the OSA is responsible for directing legal affairs, public relations, pursuing investigations, publicizing the Church's "social betterment works," and "oversee[ing its] social reform programs"...
and Scientology vice president of communications, to meet with then-United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage
Richard Armitage (politician)
Richard Lee Armitage, GCMG AC CNZM was the 13th United States Deputy Secretary of State, the second-in-command at the State Department, serving from 2001 to 2005.-Early life and military career:...
. In the half-hour long private meeting, they raised concerns with Armitage about the treatment of Scientologists in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and other countries.
Davis is a senior-level Scientologist, spokesman for the Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
, and a member of the Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
's Sea Org
Sea Org
The Sea Organization or Sea Org is an association of Scientologists established in 1968 by L. Ron Hubbard, the science fiction writer and founder of Scientology. Its members are found in the central management organizations of the Church of Scientology as well as in individual churches...
anization or "Sea Org". He is a member of the International Association of Scientologists
International Association of Scientologists
The International Association of Scientologists is an English non-profit organization, which was formed in October 1984 by a group of Scientologists, who assembled at Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, Sussex, England...
, and was listed as a Patron of the organization in 2006 in their publication Impact Magazine.
Representative to the media
Davis accompanied Rolling StoneRolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
writer Janet Reitman along with former head of Scientology's Office of Special Affairs
Office of Special Affairs
The Office of Special Affairs or OSA is a department of the Church of Scientology. According to the Church, the OSA is responsible for directing legal affairs, public relations, pursuing investigations, publicizing the Church's "social betterment works," and "oversee[ing its] social reform programs"...
Mike Rinder
Mike Rinder
Michael "Mike" Rinder is an Australian Scientologist who was a former chief spokesman of the Church of Scientology. Rinder served as Executive Director of the Office of Special Affairs and was a director of the Church of Scientology International...
on a tour of the Gold Base
Gold Base
The Gold Base is the international headquarters of the Church of Scientology on a parcel of land in unincorporated Riverside County, California, outside of San Jacinto, and north of Hemet....
in Hemet, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 2005. In 2007, Davis gained international attention from events surrounding the making of a documentary about Scientology entitled "Scientology and Me
Scientology and Me
Scientology and Me was a television documentary broadcast 14 May 2007 as part of the BBC's Panorama series. Reporter John Sweeney visited the United States to investigate whether the Church of Scientology was becoming more mainstream...
", screened as an installment of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
public affairs series Panorama
Panorama (TV series)
Panorama is a BBC Television current affairs documentary programme, which was first broadcast in 1953, and is the longest-running public affairs television programme in the world. Panorama has been presented by many well known BBC presenters, including Richard Dimbleby, Robin Day, David Dimbleby...
. The Panorama reporter, John Sweeney
John Sweeney (journalist)
John Sweeney is an award-winning journalist and author, currently working as an investigative journalist for the BBC's Panorama series.- Investigative journalism :...
, reported that he met with Davis early on and could not reach agreement with him on whether individuals attacking Scientology should be interviewed for the film, and whether the program should refer to Scientology as a "cult". As the BBC documentary was filmed, Scientologists made a parallel documentary, a camera crew shadowing Sweeney and chronicling his work.
While Sweeney was visiting the Scientology exhibition "Psychiatry: An Industry of Death
Psychiatry: An Industry of Death
Psychiatry: An Industry of Death is a museum in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA, as well as several touring exhibitions. It is owned and operated by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights , an anti-psychiatry organization founded by the Church of Scientology and psychiatrist Thomas Szasz...
", Davis accused him of being biased and of having been too easy on one of his interviewees. Sweeney lost his temper. The Church of Scientology released the resulting footage, showing Sweeney beside himself with rage, on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
, and the counter-documentary attacking Sweeney's methods was posted to UK politicians and media organizations. Panorama responded by posting its own YouTube clip, showing Davis losing his temper and abruptly ending an interview when Sweeney used the words "sinister cult". The BBC subsequently stated it was happy that on the whole, Sweeney had performed his work in a fair and proper manner.
In the same BBC documentary, Davis interrupted when celebrity members are asked about Xenu
Xenu
Xenu ,also spelled Xemu, was, according to the founder of Scientology L. Ron Hubbard, the dictator of the "Galactic Confederacy" who, 75 million years ago, brought billions of his people to Earth in a DC-8-like spacecraft, stacked them around volcanoes and killed them using hydrogen bombs...
, saying: "None of us know what you're talking about. It's loony. It's weird." In a May 8, 2008 appearance on CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, Davis was asked by CNN's John Roberts if "... the basic tenet of the Church of Scientology is to rid the body of space-alien parasites, to clear oneself"; Davis responded: "Well, John, does that sound silly to you? I mean it’s unrecognizable to me." In response, Tony Ortega of The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
stated "It’s also a grand tradition, among Scientology spokespeople, to act bewildered when they’re facing a camera and they’re asked about Xenu and space-alien thetans. Tommy Davis is just doing what other mouthpieces have said in the past." In March 2009 Davis was interviewed by investigative journalist
Investigative journalism
Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, often involving crime, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years researching and preparing a report. Investigative journalism...
Nathan Baca for KESQ-TV
KESQ-TV
KESQ-TV is the ABC-affiliated television station for the Coachella Valley of California licensed to Palm Springs. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 42 from a transmitter on Edom Hill northeast of Cathedral City and I-10...
and was again asked about the OT III
Operating Thetan
In Scientology, the state of Operating Thetan is a spiritual state above Clear. L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, defined it as "knowing and willing cause over life, thought, matter, energy, space and time ". According to religious scholar J...
materials containing the Xenu myth. When read an excerpt from Hubbard's writing, Davis told Baca "I'm familiar with the material," and called it "the confidential scriptures of the Church".
After the death of Jett Travolta, son of celebrity Scientologist John Travolta
John Travolta
John Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease...
, the Church came under fire from critical groups accusing it of being irresponsible; Jett had died of a seizure soon after being taken off of his medication. Tommy Davis responded by denying that the Church keeps people from taking medications, and also denying that the Church claims to cure disease
Medical claims in Scientology doctrine
In Church of Scientology doctrine, there have been a number of controversial medical claims made, usually centered around their auditing process. These claims began with the 1950 publication of founder L. Ron Hubbard's book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health...
. He stated in one interview, "The bottom line is that Scientologists seek conventional medical treatment for medical conditions."
Davis was interviewed by journalist Martin Bashir
Martin Bashir
Martin Bashir is a British journalist and media personality, currently with NBC News as a contributor for its Dateline program, and an afternoon anchor for MSNBC, hosting Martin Bashir...
for the ABC News
ABC News
ABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
program Nightline in a piece "Inside Scientology" which aired in October 2009. Davis ripped off his microphone and stormed off the set of the interview after he was questioned about whether he believed that 75 million years ago a galactic ruler called Xenu
Xenu
Xenu ,also spelled Xemu, was, according to the founder of Scientology L. Ron Hubbard, the dictator of the "Galactic Confederacy" who, 75 million years ago, brought billions of his people to Earth in a DC-8-like spacecraft, stacked them around volcanoes and killed them using hydrogen bombs...
brought individuals to Earth and killed them in volcanoes. An hour before the segment aired he showed up at ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
headquarters, and demanded a security guard let him in. Security called Nightline representatives, and they met with Davis who demanded the segment not be aired and he be allowed to speak with Bashir. Davis was told Bashir couldn't meet with him, and the interview was already edited and would air. The following week director Paul Haggis
Paul Haggis
Paul Edward Haggis is a Canadian screenwriter, producer, and director. He spent his early career producing and directing various American and Canadian television network series.-Early life and education:...
accused Davis of lying on CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, when Davis said disconnection
Disconnection
Disconnection, when used in Scientology, is a term used to describe the severance of all ties between a Scientologist and a friend, colleague, or family member deemed to be antagonistic towards Scientology. The practice of disconnection is a form of shunning. Among Scientologists, disconnection is...
did not happen, but Haggis and his wife were "ordered" by Scientology to disconnect from family. Haggis, in the same letter, announced he was leaving the organization. Davis responded that Haggis's claims were based on misunderstandings. In 2009, Larry Anderson, an actor, spoke with Davis about getting his money and leaving Scientology, which was reported in the St. Petersburg Times
St. Petersburg Times
The St. Petersburg Times is a United States newspaper. It is one of two major publications serving the Tampa Bay Area, the other being The Tampa Tribune, which the Times tops in both circulation and readership. Based in St...
.
In July 2010 the Church of Scientology International
Church of Scientology International
The Church of Scientology International, Inc. is a Californian 501 non-profit corporation. Within the worldwide network of Scientology corporations and entities, CSI is officially referred to as the "mother church" of the Church of Scientology....
publicized a "Scientology Newsroom" website tailored for members of the media; Davis was one of four international representatives for Scientology listed as spokespersons. John Sweeney
John Sweeney (journalist)
John Sweeney is an award-winning journalist and author, currently working as an investigative journalist for the BBC's Panorama series.- Investigative journalism :...
and a former Scientology relations officer stated in a BBC documentary, The Secrets of Scientology
The Secrets of Scientology
The Secrets of Scientology is a documentary which was broadcast on 28 September 2010 as part of the BBC's Panorama documentary strand. Presented by John Sweeney it is a follow up of his 2007 investigation into the Church of Scientology and features interviews with former high-ranking members of the...
, that Tommy Davis authorised the following of John in order to provoke a reaction by mental engagement. Tommy was quoted to say "I can drive him 'psychotic'."
Personal life
Davis is the son of real estate investor William Davis and film actress and Scientologist Anne ArcherAnne Archer
Anne Archer is an American actress who has performed in feature films, television, and stage and was named Miss Golden Globe in 1971. Among her best known roles is that of Beth Gallagher in the 1987 movie Fatal Attraction, for which she received a nomination for an Academy Award.-Career:Archer's...
. He has a half-brother, Jeffrey Tucker Jastrow.
Davis was raised as a Christian Scientist
Christian Science
Christian Science is a system of thought and practice derived from the writings of Mary Baker Eddy and the Bible. It is practiced by members of The First Church of Christ, Scientist as well as some others who are nonmembers. Its central texts are the Bible and the Christian Science textbook,...
, but after taking two courses at Celebrity Centre, he converted to Scientology at age of 17. In 1990, Davis was accepted at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
. He attended college for a semester, but dropped out to join the Sea Org.
Davis is a friend of actor and Scientologist Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV , better known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and he has won three Golden Globe Awards....
, and a former friend of actor Jason Beghe
Jason Beghe
Jason Beghe is an American film and television actor and critic of Scientology. As a young man he attended the Collegiate School in New York City, where he became best friends with John F. Kennedy, Jr. and David Duchovny. Beghe is married and lives in Los Angeles, California.Beghe starred in the...
, who left the church in 2007. He is independently wealthy as his family obtained success in the real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
business, and told Rolling Stone: "I have enough money to never work a day in my life." In 2009, Davis was a resident of Scientology's campus in Gilman Hot Springs, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, which also contains Scientology's organization Golden Era Productions
Golden Era Productions
Golden Era Productions is an organization operated by the Church of Scientology that produces promotional material for the Church's membership, as well as many of the restored lectures, E-meters, training films and other materials related to the works of church founder L...
.
He is married to Jessica Feshbach, a fellow spokesperson for Church of Scientology.