:: January 20, 2005 :: Has actor Steve Buscemi hooked up with Scientology? This month’s issue of Scientology’s “Celebrity” magazine (issue 363) reports that a "Steven Buscemi" has completed the group’s religious ritual known as the “Purification Rundown.” Might this be the actor Steve Buscemi? That is, the Brooklyn born guy best known for his edgy character roles in cult films such as “Reservoir Dogs” and “Pulp Fiction” and most recently for his turn as Tony Blundetto in “The Sopranos.” Has Mr. Buscemi moved from “cult films” to a so-called “cult”? No photo was run with the Scientology magazine article, but Jenna Elfmann was featured on the cover. The so-called “Purification Rundown” apparently prescribed for “Steven Buscemi” is a process performed by Scientologists to supposedly purge them of toxins, largely accomplished through saunas and large doses of Niacin. Tom Cruise swears by it. And this practice is a central feature of the Scientology-linked drug rehab program called Narconon. No independent peer-reviewed study or research has ever been published in a scientific journal to substantiate the effectiveness of the process objectively. In fact the claim that toxins remain in the body for an extended period of time, which forms the basis of this treatment, has been dismissed by doctors. If Steve Buscemi, known for his roles in independent films has been hooked by Scientology, it would be the first cool Hollywood type recruited by the group in quite some time. Update: The NY Daily News later contacted Buscemi's publicist who said, "I checked it out with him, and it's 100% not true. It's a different Steve Buscemi." Scientology told the NY Daily News it is their "policy not to confirm or deny anything unless the celebrity goes public." [Posted by Rick Ross at 03:42 PM][Link] ... « Rev. Moon “funnels” $250,000 for Bush inaugural bash | Main | “Cult” payoff for “scholar”? »