Kevin Sorbo's Bold Exit: Why He's Leaving California Behind
Kevin Sorbo has officially closed the door on California.Nearly seven years after leaving the Golden State for Florida, the “Hercules” star says he has no interest in going back — and he’s got three reasons why: “Taxes, traffic and negativity.”In an interview with Fox News Digital, Sorbo, who stars in the faith-based movie “Elijah Peel,” said his move to Florida has given him something he felt was increasingly difficult to find in California — “acceptance.”The actor said he still misses Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, his golf course, his old house and California’s famously mild weather. But the trade-off, he said, isn’t 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.”For Sorbo, the California exit wasn’t simply a change of scenery.Kevin Sorbo says he is never returning to California, slamming Hollywood for blacklisting stars who hold conservative and Christian views. Kathryn Indiek/ImageDirectThe 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.“The people I’ve met here, the contacts I’ve met, it’s been incredible,” he said.Sorbo took aim at the entertainment industry, which he believes has punished people for holding certain political or religious views.The actor, who has been outspoken about his faith and politics, compared Hollywood’s treatment of conservatives and Christians to childish antics seen in schools, not a multimillion-dollar industry.Sorbo attends Moods of Norway at Studio on Main with The PhotoFund and Animal Avengers on Jan. 22, 2011 in Park City, Utah. WireImage“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 told Fox News Digital.“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. But he said the experience hasn’t convinced him to stay quiet.Instead, he’s challenging other conservatives in Hollywood to stop hiding.Governor Gavin Newsom speaking at an event about clean energy and electric vehicles. Anadolu via Getty Images“It’s the conservatives that are in the closet now because they saw me get canceled,” Sorbo said. “But I’m still working.”Sorbo’s comments came as his latest film, “Elijah Peel,” hit theaters — a faith-based drama inspired by a true story.The movie 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’s been living.Sorbo portrays the musician’s longtime talent manager.Willie and Korie Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” serve as executive producers, adding another prominent Christian entertainment connection to the project.The actor said he still misses Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, his golf course, his old house and California’s famously mild weather. But the trade-off, he said, isn’t worth it.And Sorbo believes movies like “Elijah Peel” demonstrate that faith-based filmmakers no longer need Hollywood’s blessing.The audience is already there, he argued.“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,” Sorbo said.Away from the cameras, Sorbo said his marriage and family have remained his top priorities through career changes, health scares and the ups and downs of life in Hollywood.Sorbo also opened up about the nearly three decades he has spent married to his wife, Sam, crediting humor, compromise and family for keeping their relationship strong.Sorbo took aim at the entertainment industry, which he believes has punished people for holding certain political or religious views.When Fox News Digital asked about the foundation of his marriage, Sorbo laughed and replied, “Oh, that’s easy. I just say yes to her all the time. I just agree with everything she tells me.”He added, “We have our disagreements, but we’ve always gone through those with no problem. And we’ve overcome those things.”Family remains the priority, Sorbo emphasized.“My boys are now 24 and 22, my daughter’s 20.”The Sorbos are also outspoken advocates for homeschooling, with Sorbo’s wife traveling around the country to share what they see as the benefits of educating children outside the traditional public-school system.“We never experienced terrible teens with my kids. We just didn’t. They’re hardworking, they’re awesome, and they’re just good people,” Sorbo said.
