'Hercules' star Kevin Sorbo won't return to California: 'I'm done'
"Hercules" star Kevin Sorbo told Fox News Digital he will not return to California nearly seven years after relocating to Florida, citing taxes, traffic and "negativity." The actor, promoting faith-based film "Elijah Peel," also challenged Hollywood conservatives to stop hiding after his own experiences with industry blacklisting. Sorbo's remarks add to a growing list of entertainment figures speaking openly about life outside the Golden State.
Key Takeaways
- Sorbo left California for Florida nearly seven years ago and says he has no plans to return.
- He cited taxes, traffic and "negativity" as reasons California is not worth revisiting.
- The actor compared Hollywood's treatment of conservatives and Christians to "seventh grade mean girls."
- Sorbo stars in the faith-based drama "Elijah Peel," now in theaters.
- He urged other conservatives in the industry to stop staying in the closet after seeing him get "canceled."
Why Did Kevin Sorbo Leave California?
Sorbo told Fox News Digital that his move to Florida has given him something he found increasingly difficult in California: "acceptance." He still misses Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, his golf course, his old house and the state's famously mild weather, but said the trade-off is not worth it.
"I mean, here in Florida, yeah, we get five months of pretty high humidity. It's pretty hot, but the winters here are really quite amazing," Sorbo said. "But yeah, there are things I miss, but they can keep their taxes, they can keep their traffic, and they can keep their negativity, I'm done."
What Did Sorbo Say About Hollywood and Conservatives?
The actor, who has been outspoken about his faith and politics, compared Hollywood's blacklisting of people with conservative or Christian viewpoints to childish school behavior rather than conduct befitting a multimillion-dollar industry.
"That's why I find a lot of things in Hollywood, with their blacklisting people that have conservative or Christian viewpoints, I find it like they're seventh grade mean girls," Sorbo said. "It's just ridiculous and childish to me. We all have different opinions. There's nothing wrong with that."
Sorbo has previously described himself as someone who has been "canceled" for his views. He said conservatives in Hollywood now hide because they saw what happened to him, but insisted he is still working. For more on entertainment figures making headlines, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
What Is Kevin Sorbo Promoting Now?
Sorbo's comments came as his latest film, "Elijah Peel," hit theaters. The faith-based drama is inspired by a true story and follows a rock star whose meteoric career and struggle with addiction spiral after a near-fatal heart attack. A young girl's faith ultimately forces him to confront the life he has been living.
Sorbo portrays the musician's longtime talent manager. Willie and Korie Robertson of "Duck Dynasty" serve as executive producers. The actor said the independent film community has embraced him, with filmmakers and creators from across the country reaching out through his production company, Sorbo Studios.
Does Sorbo Believe Faith-Based Films Can Thrive Without Hollywood?
Sorbo argued that movies like "Elijah Peel" show faith-based filmmakers no longer need Hollywood's blessing. He pointed to audience demand, saying, "There's 80 million homes in America that want the kind of movies that I've been fortunate to be part of — that is going to keep on growing."
Away from cameras, Sorbo emphasized that marriage and family remain his top priorities through career changes and health scares. He and his wife Sam have been married nearly three decades, crediting humor and compromise for keeping their relationship strong. Their children are now 24, 22 and 20, and the couple are outspoken advocates for homeschooling.