'Young and Restless' Actor Suing Scientologist Doctor
Star on CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” Michael Fairman has claimed a Scientologist chiropractor refused to treat him because he left the church, and is suing for religious discrimination.
Fairman and his family left the Church of Scientology after the actor had expressed opinions and misgivings about the religion, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Claiming to have been blacklisted, Fairman has taken out the lawsuit after receiving a letter from his long time chiropractor Charlene Thorburn saying the doctor would no longer treat him or members of his family.
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TMZ reported that the church labeled Fairman and his family as “suppressive persons” or people who are said to be disruptive and unsupportive of the religion.
Fairman joined the church in 2003 and has accused its leaders of blacklisting him for leaving. The actor also claimed that Thorburn has withheld important medical records belonging to him and his family, adding to his lawsuit case.
The Voice, a Scientology-based publication, reported that another Scientology church member, dermatologist Lisa Benest, has also dropped Fairman and his family as patients. It has not been confirmed if a similar lawsuit will be filed against Benest.
Seventy-seven-year-old Fairman has appeared on soaps such as “Ryan’s Hope” and “General Hospital” in addition to “Young and Restless.” He also recently had a multi-episode role on FX’s “Sons of Anarchy.”
Many Hollywood actors are members of the Church of Scientology, including Tom Cruise and John Travolta. The movement’s new headquarters resides in Clearwater, Fla.
In June, the Church of Scientology’s new HQ was finally certified by the city as occupied, and is complete with a black-domed running track for church members.
Called the “Mecca of Scientology” on its website, the eight-story, 377,000 square foot building covers an entire city block in downtown Clearwater. Spokesperson for the Scientologists, Pat Harney, said in a statement that the final touches to the interior are still being completed.
“This is our cathedral,” said Harney. “It’s not just some simple process of building an office.”
The building includes a three-story glass atrium and a special member lounge area for celebrity Scientologist members.
The fifth floor is dedicated to the 52 “perceptics”, a principle of Scientology, and was designed to amplify experiences such as taste, sight, hearing, and smell, among other senses. There are 22 course-training rooms that can hold up to 1,800 people, as well as 300 counseling rooms that were designed for “auditing” sessions.
