List of atheists (surnames R to S)

This list provides notable individuals whose surnames fall between R and S, and who have publicly identified as atheists (i.e., lacking belief in God or gods), or who are widely recognized as such through verifiable sources. The inclusion criteria require documented evidence of their atheistic views, typically through published writings, interviews, or statements. Mere speculation or inference is insufficient for inclusion. This list aims to document diverse individuals from various fields, including science, philosophy, literature, entertainment, and politics.

R

• Daniel Radcliffe: British actor known for his role as Harry Potter.
• Salman Rushdie: British-American novelist and essayist.
• Bertrand Russell: British philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian, and social critic. A prominent figure in 20th-century philosophy and a vocal advocate for atheism.
• Richard Rorty: American philosopher.
• Philip Roth: American novelist.
• Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Somali-born Dutch-American activist, writer, and politician known for her criticism of Islam.
• Natalie Portman: Israeli-born American actress.

S

• Carl Sagan: American astronomer, cosmologist, astrophysicist, astrobiologist, science popularizer, and author. Widely known for his contributions to science education and his skeptical views on religion.
• Jill Scott: American singer, songwriter, model, and actress.
• George Santayana: Spanish-American philosopher, essayist, poet, and novelist.
• Jean-Paul Sartre: French philosopher, playwright, novelist, political activist, biographer, and literary critic. Key figure in existentialism and Marxism.
• Pete Seeger: American folk singer and activist.
• Rod Serling: American screenwriter, playwright, television producer, and narrator. Known for creating The Twilight Zone.
• Sam Shepard: American actor, playwright, author, screenwriter, and director.
• Percy Bysshe Shelley: English Romantic poet.
• Brooke Shields: American actress and model.
• William Shockley: American physicist and inventor. Corecipient of the 1956 Nobel Prize in Physics.
• Ruth Simmons: American academic administrator, former president of Brown University.
• B. F. Skinner: American psychologist, behaviorist, author, inventor, and social philosopher.
• Michael Smith: Canadian biochemist and Nobel laureate.
• Julia Sweeney: American actress, comedian, and writer. Known for her comedic monologues exploring her experiences with religion.
• Gloria Steinem: American feminist journalist and activist.
• Patrick Stewart: English actor.
• Joseph Stalin: Soviet politician and dictator. A key figure in the Soviet Union's atheistic policies.
• Michael Stipe: American singer-songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the alternative rock band R.E.M.