Yahoo Lifestyle Mike Rinder Dies: ‘Leah Remini: Scientology And The Aftermath’ Co-Host Was 69
Mike Rinder, a former top-ranking Scientology executive-turned-whistleblower and co-host of A&E’s Emmy-winning docuseries Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, died January 5. He was 69. His wife Christie King Collbran posted the news on Instagram.
While no cause of death was listed, Rinder was diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer in June 2023. However, in October of that year, the producer said he was deemed cancer-free.
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“Rest in peace, my sweet, beautiful husband,” wrote Collbran, who was also raised in the Church of Scientology and recruited alongside Rinder to be a part of the Sea Org, an elite group of members who enforce the institution. “I speak for so many when I say the sadness and pain we feel mirror the depth of our unwavering love for you. Your courage, bravery, and integrity are unmatched and will forever inspire us. You have been the pillar of stability in our lives, filling our days with your strength, wisdom, love, laughter and devotion. The world will remember you. My best friend, my hero, my love, Michael John Rinder. ❤️”
In the statement (below), Collbran shared Rinder’s parting words, which included a dig at Scientologists’ belief in immortality as well as a list of regrets in not having achieved “ending the abuses of Scientology, especially disconnection, and seeing [his son] Jack into adulthood.”
Rinder was born in Australia in 1955 and grew up as a Scientologist from early childhood. In 2007, he made headlines with a high-profile defection from the organization, renouncing the Church and becoming one of its most outspoken detractors.
He was prominently featured in the 2015 HBO documentary Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief along with Oscar-winning Crash director Paul Haggis. Prior to his departure, Rinder was the head of Scientology’s Office of Special Affairs, as well as a member of its board of directors. The following year, Remini and Rinder teamed on Scientology and the Aftermath, which ran for three seasons from 2016 to 2019. Rinder was nominated for two Emmys for his work, winning one.
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In 2020, Rinder and Remini continued their co-hosting partnership by launching the podcast Scientology: Fair Game, which ran through 2022.
That year, Rinder also released the memoir A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology. He dedicated the book to his two grown children from his previous marriage, as he said leaving the Church cost him a connection with his ex-wife Cathy Bernardini and the family.
He is survived by Collbran and their two sons, Shane and Jack, as well as his older children Taryn and Benjamin.
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