Leah Remini is remembering her Scientology And The Aftermath co-host Mike Rinder.
Leah Remini is mourning the lack of her co-host, who handed away on January 5 on the age of 69. In a heartfelt tribute shared on social media, Remini, 53, expressed her deep sorrow and the profound impression Rinder had on her life.
“On Sunday, we misplaced a large, and I misplaced a person who was greater than a good friend—he was my household,” Remini wrote.
“It’s inconceivable to think about the final 13 years of my life with out Mike Rinder. He was my anchor, my trusted associate, and my closest confidant. The considered shifting ahead with out him feels insufferable.”
Remini and Rinder collaborated on Scientology and the Aftermath, a present that ran for 3 seasons from 2016 to 2019, incomes Rinder two Emmy nominations and one win. Their partnership prolonged past the display, as Rinder turned a vital determine in Remini’s life after she left Scientology.
“When I left Scientology, Mike was one of many first folks I turned to. From that second, he turned my lifeline,” she continued.
“Together, we launched into an unimaginable journey that included The Aftermath and our podcast, Fair Game. But Mike was a lot greater than my associate on this struggle—he was my brother, my father, my finest good friend… in each manner that mattered.”
Remini highlighted Rinder’s unwavering assist by their shared battles, saying, “Mike stood by me by battles that felt insurmountable, giving me energy after I had none left. I owe him a debt I might by no means repay.”
She shared the depth of her grief, including, “I haven’t but come to phrases with the truth that I can’t name him, textual content him, or hear his voice anymore. I’m shattered in methods I by no means thought potential, overwhelmed by the load of this loss. I’ve cried endlessly and might’t appear to maneuver from my mattress since coming dwelling from being with him and his grieving household.”
While Remini guarantees to share extra about Rinder’s legacy, she encourages others to honor his reminiscence by supporting his son Jack’s faculty fund.
Rinder, born in Australia in 1955, was a lifelong Scientologist till his high-profile defection in 2007, when he renounced the Church and have become a vocal critic.
Rinder performed a key function within the 2015 HBO documentary Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief alongside director Paul Haggis. Before leaving, he held outstanding positions inside Scientology, together with head of the Office of Special Affairs and board member.
After the present ended, he and Remini launched the podcast Scientology: Fair Game, which continued till 2022. In 2022, Rinder printed his memoir A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life within the Highest Ranks of Scientology.
Though no reason for loss of life was listed, Rinder had been identified with superior esophageal most cancers in June 2023. By October, he had been declared cancer-free. Rinder handed away on January 5, 2024.
Leah Remini’s full assertion after Mike Rinder’s loss of life
“On Sunday, we misplaced a large, and I misplaced a person who was greater than a good friend—he was my household. It’s inconceivable to think about the final 13 years of my life with out Mike Rinder. He was my anchor, my trusted associate, and my closest confidant. The considered shifting ahead with out him feels insufferable.
“When I left Scientology, Mike was one of many first folks I turned to. From that second, he turned my lifeline. Together, we launched into an unimaginable journey that included The Aftermath and our podcast, Fair Game. But Mike was a lot greater than my associate on this struggle—he was my brother, my father, my finest good friend… in each manner that mattered.
“Mike saved my life and the lifetime of my daughter. He stood by me by battles that felt insurmountable, giving me energy after I had none left. I owe him a debt I might by no means repay. I haven’t but come to phrases with the truth that I can’t name him, textual content him, or hear his voice anymore. I’m shattered in methods I by no means thought potential, overwhelmed by the load of this loss. I’ve cried endlessly and might’t appear to maneuver from my mattress since coming dwelling from being with him and his grieving household.
“I’ll have a lot extra to say about Mike and the legacy he leaves behind—phrases that may try to honor his immeasurable contribution to this world, to my life, and to the lives of numerous others. But for now, I wish to honor his reminiscence by fulfilling considered one of his final needs: encouraging assist for his son Jack’s faculty fund.
“In his post-Scientology life, Mike was a person remodeled. He labored tirelessly to proper the wrongs of his previous and past. He owed nobody something. Mike was provided some huge cash to remain silent about Scientology’s prison actions, and he refused and did the work.
“There was not one name that Mike didn’t take, not one particular person Mike didn’t attempt to assist, regardless of the various heartbreaks he endured from those that wanted him. Mike additionally turned an unimaginable husband and an attentive, loving father to Jack and his stepson Shane.
“One of the various heartbreaks Mike suffered was the absence of his older youngsters, Taryn and Benjamin, who disconnected from him attributable to Scientology’s merciless insurance policies after he courageously escaped its abuse.
“Mike adored Jack, who’s simply 12 years outdated. He was consumed with understanding he wouldn’t be there to see Jack develop into maturity. If you’re ready, I hope you’ll be a part of me in contributing to Jack’s faculty fund, making certain that Mike’s desires for his son can nonetheless come true.
“Please preserve Mike’s courageous and devoted spouse, Christie, their son Jack, and Mike’s stepson Shane in your ideas and prayers. They’ve misplaced a husband and father whose love knew no bounds, and I’ve misplaced somebody whose presence in my life was irreplaceable.
“My Mikey, I’ll miss you daily, and I simply don’t know find out how to do it with out you.”
