Leah Remini is suing the Church of Scientology and its leader, David Miscavige, for harassment and defamation.
The King Of Queens actress joined the religious organisation as a child in 1979 and left in 2013.
Remini lodged her case in the California Superior Court against the Church of Scientology, David Miscavige and the Religious Technology Center, Inc. to "require Scientology, and any entity it controls and funds, to cease and desist its alleged practice of harassment, defamation, and other unlawful conduct against anyone who Scientology has labelled as an 'enemy'."
The Old School actress, claims Scientology's "mob-style operations and attacks" have "significantly" impacted her life and career.
Speaking to entertainment publication Variety, the Remini said: "For 17 years, Scientology and David Miscavige have subjected me to what I believe to be psychological torture, defamation, surveillance, harassment, and intimidation, significantly impacting my life and career.
"I believe I am not the first person targeted by Scientology and its operations, but I intend to be the last."
Variety also reports that Remini is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for the alleged harm Scientology has inflicted on her personal and professional life referring to "OSA Network Orders", directives alleged to be issued by the Church's Office of Special Affairs.
The Emmy award winner contends these orders are a series of retaliatory measures, said to have been implemented by the Church's founder L Ron Hubbard, to be taken against any individual or organisation that the Church deems to be an enemy.
In 2015, Remini produced a documentary series about the Church, called Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, which ran for three seasons.
"With this lawsuit, I hope to protect my rights as afforded by the Constitution of the United States to speak the truth and report the facts about Scientology," Remini said.
"I feel strongly that the banner of religious freedom does not give anyone licence to intimidate, harass and abuse those who exercise their First Amendment rights."
