Kevin Sorbo says he is done with California, citing taxes, traffic and negativity
Actor Kevin Sorbo, known for his role in "Hercules," says he has no plans to return to California nearly seven years after relocating to Florida, citing taxes, traffic and negativity as his reasons.
Actor Kevin Sorbo has closed the door on California for good. Nearly seven years after leaving the Golden State for Florida, the former "Hercules" star says he has no interest in going back, and he has three reasons: "Taxes, traffic and negativity."
In a recent interview, Sorbo, who stars in the faith-based film "Elijah Peel," said the move to Florida gave him something he found increasingly difficult to find in California — "acceptance." He acknowledged that 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, 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."
For Sorbo, the California exit was not simply a change of scenery. 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. "The people I've met here, the contacts I've met, it's been incredible," he said.
Sorbo also 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.
"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. But he said the experience has not convinced him to stay quiet. Instead, he is challenging other conservatives in Hollywood to stop hiding. "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 has 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.
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.
When 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.
