Biography
Heber Jentzsch grew up in a Mormon family, and identified himself as a "believing Mormon". He is the son of polygamist Carl Jentzsch (who was excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and Carl's third wife Pauline; Heber has 42 siblings. While Heber Jentzsch was never baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his first name was inspired by the Latter-day Saint apostle Heber C. Kimball.
Jentzsch was educated at Weber College in Ogden, Utah and the University of Utah, where he graduated in 1959 with a degree in communications. He also studied Eastern religions.
Before his involvement with Scientology, which he joined in 1967, Jentzsch was a journalist with the Los Angeles Free Press and an actor, having a bit part in the movie Paint Your Wagon. The Internet Movie Database lists Jentzsch with one credited acting appearance, a small part playing a Nazi in one episode of the 1960s television series Combat!, and with an uncredited role in the movie 1776.
According to Jentzsch, two events of his life were pivotal: the arrest of his father in 1955, and himself being cured in the Scientology Purification Rundown from radiation burns he had suffered from since he was 15.
According to Mark Rathbun's blog, Jentzsch is banned by current Scientology leader David Miscavige from making any public appearances.
On July 2, 2012, Alexander Jentzsch (Heber Jentzsch's son with Karen de la Carriere) died from an overdose of prescription painkillers and NyQuil. de La Clarriere stated that she had not seen Alexander for 2 years, due to her decision to leave the Scientology Church, who "forced her" to disconnect from her son. Alexander was 27 at the time of his death.
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