Leah Remini Reacts to Scientology Whistleblower Mike Rinder’s Death: “We Lost a Giant”

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Leah Remini has finally spoken out following the passing of Mike Rinder, a former Scientology member turned whistleblower who was awarded an Emmy for revealing the group’s secrets.

On Tuesday, Remini shared on Instagram that we had tragically lost a colossal figure. For him, it wasn’t just a friend who passed away – he considered him family,” the statement reads. Remini and this individual worked together on the A&E documentary series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath as well as the podcast Scientology: Fair Game, using these platforms to shed light on the organization.

The actress, known as Rinder, referred to this individual as her “reliable associate” within Scientology. It was to this person that she reached out when she herself departed from the mysterious organization back in 2013.

Mike was instrumental in saving both my life and my daughter’s, supporting me through struggles that seemed overwhelming. The harsh truth is, I can no longer contact him or hear his voice. I’m broken in ways I never thought imaginable. Since returning home, I have shed countless tears and find it difficult to get out of bed.” – Remini wrote.

Rinder teamed up with Remini, and together they launched the A&E investigative documentary series titled “Scientology and the Aftermath“, which premiered in November 2016. Over its three seasons, the show produced a total of 37 episodes. In the final season and the 2019 special, Rinder served as an executive producer for the docuseries.

The full Instagram post by Leah Remini follows:

On Sunday, we tragically lost an extraordinary individual, and I lost a man who was more than a friend—he was like family. It’s hard to imagine the past 13 years of my life without Mike Rinder. He was my rock, my reliable ally, and my most trusted confidant. It’s difficult to envision the last 13 years of my life without Mike Rinder. He was my confidant and my closest ally. When I left Scientology, Mike was among the first people I reached out to. From that moment on, he became my lifeline. Together, we embarked on an incredible journey that included The Aftermath and our podcast, Fair Game. However, Mike was so much more than my partner in this fight—he was my brother, my father, and my best friend.

Mike saved my life and the life of my daughter, and he stood by me through battles that seemed impossible to overcome. I am finding it hard to accept that I can no longer contact him or hear his voice. I’m devastated in ways I never thought possible. I have cried endlessly and find myself unable to leave my bed since returning home. I will have more to say about Mike and the legacy he leaves behind—words that will attempt to honor his immeasurable contribution to this world. But for now, I want to pay tribute to his memory by helping fulfill one of his last wishes: encouraging support for his son Jack’s college fund.

In the years following Scientology, Mike underwent a remarkable transformation. He dedicated himself tirelessly to righting the wrongs from his past. There was no call he wouldn’t answer and no person he wouldn’t try to help, despite the numerous heartaches he endured from those who needed him. Additionally, Mike became an exceptional husband and loving father to Jack and his stepson Shane. One of the many pains Mike experienced was the absence of his older children, who disconnected from him due to Scientology’s cruel policies following his courageous departure. Mike cherished Jack, who is only 12 years old.

If you’re able, I hope you’ll join me in donating to Jack’s college fund, ensuring Mike’s dreams for his son can still become a reality. The link to donate can be found in my bio. Please keep Mike’s wife Christie, Jack, and Mike’s stepson Shane in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. They have lost a husband and father whose love knew no bounds, and I’ve lost someone whose presence in my life was invaluable.

Mikey, I will miss you every day, and I don’t know how to move forward without you.

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2025-01-07 23:54