Mike Rinder in Los Angeles on Sept. 9, 2018.Photo:Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic
Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic
Mike Rinder, a former Scientologist turned outspoken critic of the organization who co-hosted the A&E seriesLeah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, has died. He was 69.
“Rest in peace, my sweet, beautiful husband,” Collbran wrote on Sunday, Jan. 5. “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. ❤️,” she added.
Collbran went on to include her husband’s “last words, as per Mike’s wishes,” which were also shared in ablog post titled “Farewell,“published on his website Sunday, Jan. 5.
After noting that the website had “been a labor of love,” Rinder wrote, “I have been lucky — living two lives in one lifetime. The second one the most wonderful years anyone could wish for with all of you and my new family!”
“My only real regret is not having achieved what I said I wanted to — ending the abuses of Scientology, especially disconnection, and seeing Jack into adulthood,” he added. “If you are in any way fighting to end those abuses please keep the flag flying — never give up.”
“Let the flowers grow and look to the future … With that said, I rest in peace,” Rinder wrote later in the post, concluding his final words to the public with a quote from Cicero: “The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
While no cause of death was given, Rinder shared that he’d been diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer in aJune 2023 blog post. That October, a post on hisInstagramstated that his “latest scan did not show any cancer,” and “his treatment is working.”
Rinder was raised a Scientologist from age 5 but exited the church in 2007 at age 52.
He went on to write a memoir titledA Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology, co-hosted theScientology: Fair Gamepodcast alongsideLeah Reminiand also co-hostedScientology and the Aftermathwith Remini, 54.
Mike Rinder and Leah Remini in Beverly Hills, California, on June 2, 2019.Rich Fury/Getty
Rich Fury/Getty
The latter is a documentary series that ran for three seasons on A&E, and “explores individual accounts from ex-Church members and their families through meetings and interviews,” according to an official synopsis from the network.
Remini, who visited Rinder over the Christmas holidays, wrote in the caption of a December 2024Instagram postthat her friend and colleague had “been courageously battling cancer.”
“Your messages of love truly lift his spirits,” she added. “Please keep Mike, Christie, and their two boys in your prayers. Surround them with all the love and strength they so deserve.”
source: people.com
