Jump to content

Kevin Sorbo: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
m Reverted edit by 207.255.106.141 (talk) to last version by 96.241.99.133
 
(39 intermediate revisions by 28 users not shown)
Line 20: Line 20:
}}
}}


'''Kevin David Sorbo''' (born September 24, 1958) is an American actor and producer. He has had starring roles in two television series: as [[Hercules]] in ''[[Hercules: The Legendary Journeys]]'' (1995–1999) and as Captain [[Dylan Hunt (Andromeda)|Dylan Hunt]] in ''[[Andromeda (TV series)|Andromeda]]'' (2000–2005). In between his years playing Hercules, Sorbo played his first leading film role in the 1997 [[fantasy film]] ''[[Kull the Conqueror]]''.
'''Kevin David Sorbo''' (born September 24, 1958) is an American actor. He has had starring roles in two television series: as [[Hercules]] in ''[[Hercules: The Legendary Journeys]]'' (1995–1999) and as Captain [[Dylan Hunt (Andromeda)|Dylan Hunt]] in ''[[Andromeda (TV series)|Andromeda]]'' (2000–2005). In between his years playing Hercules, Sorbo played his first leading film role in the 1997 [[fantasy film]] ''[[Kull the Conqueror]]''.


Sorbo is also known for acting in Christian films such as ''[[God's Not Dead (film)|God's Not Dead]]'' (2014) and ''[[Let There Be Light (2017 film)|Let There Be Light]]'' (2017).
Sorbo is also known for acting in Christian films, such as ''[[God's Not Dead (film)|God's Not Dead]]'' (2014) and ''[[Let There Be Light (2017 film)|Let There Be Light]]'' (2017).


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Line 29: Line 29:
==Career==
==Career==
===Early work===
===Early work===
In the mid-1980s, Sorbo traveled around Europe and Australia working in television commercials and also modeling for print advertisements. During this period, he made his acting debut in an episode of the soap opera ''[[Santa Barbara (TV series)|Santa Barbara]]'' in 1986. He continued working in advertising and by the early 1990s, he had appeared in over 150 commercials. One of the popular commercials he appeared in was for [[Jim Beam]] [[bourbon whiskey]], known for Sorbo's repeated [[catchphrase]], "This ain't Jim Beam".<ref>{{cite news |last=Mendoza |first=N.F. |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1994-11-06/news/tv-59138_1_kevin-sorbo |title=With an Eye On: Kevin Sorbo's Hercules is strong stuff but not exactly his serious side |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=November 6, 1994 |access-date=May 6, 2016 |archive-date=June 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603130129/http://articles.latimes.com/1994-11-06/news/tv-59138_1_kevin-sorbo |url-status=live }}</ref>
In the mid-1980s, Sorbo traveled around Europe and Australia working in television commercials and also modeling for print advertisements. During this period, he made his acting debut in an episode of the soap opera ''[[Santa Barbara (TV series)|Santa Barbara]]'' in 1986. His second television appearance was in an episode of the sitcom ''[[1st & Ten (1984 TV series)|1st & Ten]]'' in 1988. He continued working in advertising and by the early 1990s, he had appeared in over 150 commercials. One of the popular commercials he appeared in was for [[Jim Beam]] [[bourbon whiskey]], known for Sorbo's repeated [[catchphrase]], "This ain't Jim Beam".<ref>{{cite news |last=Mendoza |first=N.F. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-11-06-tv-59138-story.html |title=With an Eye On: Kevin Sorbo's Hercules is strong stuff but not exactly his serious side |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=November 6, 1994 |access-date=May 6, 2016 |archive-date=June 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603130129/http://articles.latimes.com/1994-11-06/news/tv-59138_1_kevin-sorbo |url-status=live }}</ref>


He made guest appearances in television series such as ''[[1st & Ten (HBO TV series)|1st & Ten]]'', ''[[Murder She Wrote]]'', and ''[[The Commish]]''. In 1992, he played his first leading role in an unsuccessful [[television pilot]] for a medical drama series titled ''Condition: Critical'', which was not picked up, but aired as a television film on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. He was considered for and lost out to [[Dean Cain]] as [[Superman]] in ''[[Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman]]'' and was one of the possible contenders for the role of [[Fox Mulder]] in ''[[The X-Files]]'', which went to [[David Duchovny]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Filed Away (Features)|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-61070196.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924105921/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-61070196.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2018|publisher=London, England|work=The Mirror|date=September 29, 1997|access-date=September 24, 2018|quote=Hercules hunk Kevin Sorbo has revealed that he nearly played Fox Mulder in The X Files. The 6ft 3in muscleman was beaten to the role by 5ft 7in David Duchovny after the two auditioned for creator Chris Carter.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Fantastic Fest: Kevin Sorbo on the Twisted Julia X 3D, Christian Films, and Hollywood Snobbery|url=http://movieline.com/2011/09/28/fantastic-fest-kevin-sorbo-on-the-twisted-julia-x-3d-christian-films-and-hollywood-snobbery/|first=Jen|last=Yamato|access-date=September 24, 2018|work=Movieline|date=September 28, 2011|quote=You were previously up to play roles like Superman and Mulder in The X-Files before your Hercules days.|archive-date=June 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625132422/http://movieline.com/2011/09/28/fantastic-fest-kevin-sorbo-on-the-twisted-julia-x-3d-christian-films-and-hollywood-snobbery/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pQIDAQAAQBAJ&q=sorbo+mulder&pg=PA370|title=Science Fiction Television Series, 1990–2004: Histories, Casts and Credits for 58 Shows|first1=Frank|last1=Garcia|first2=Mark|last2=Phillips|date=2013|access-date=September 24, 2018|page=370|publisher=McFarland|via=Google Books|isbn=9780786491834|archive-date=May 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505181431/https://books.google.com/books?id=pQIDAQAAQBAJ&q=sorbo+mulder&pg=PA370|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://actorsorbo.narod.ru/sorbo_eng/kevinroles_eng/roles_loss_eng.htm|title=Winston-Salem Journal|date=August 29, 1997|access-date=September 24, 2018|quote=People make too big a deal out of me getting the Agent Mulder role in that,'' he said with a laugh. ''I got in to read twice for that part. Nowhere near getting it. How would he be different if I played him? Mulder would be taller.|archive-date=September 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924145114/http://actorsorbo.narod.ru/sorbo_eng/kevinroles_eng/roles_loss_eng.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1993, he made his film debut in ''[[Slaughter of the Innocents (film)|Slaughter of the Innocents]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carter |first=Brooke |date=January 23, 2017 |title=What Happened to Kevin Sorbo – News & Updates |url=https://gazettereview.com/2017/01/happened-kevin-sorbo-news-updates/ |work=Gazette Review |access-date=January 23, 2017 |archive-date=June 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620070834/http://gazettereview.com/2017/01/happened-kevin-sorbo-news-updates/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
His acting career continued with guest appearances in ''[[Murder She Wrote]]'' and ''[[The Commish]]''. In 1992, he played his first leading role in an unsuccessful [[television pilot]] for a medical drama series titled ''Condition: Critical'', which was not picked up, but aired as a television film on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. He was considered for and lost out to [[Dean Cain]] as [[Superman]] in ''[[Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman]]'' and was one of the possible contenders for the role of [[Fox Mulder]] in ''[[The X-Files]]'', which went to [[David Duchovny]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Filed Away (Features)|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-61070196.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924105921/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-61070196.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2018|publisher=London, England|work=The Mirror|date=September 29, 1997|access-date=September 24, 2018|quote=Hercules hunk Kevin Sorbo has revealed that he nearly played Fox Mulder in The X Files. The 6ft 3in muscleman was beaten to the role by 5ft 7in David Duchovny after the two auditioned for creator Chris Carter.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Fantastic Fest: Kevin Sorbo on the Twisted Julia X 3D, Christian Films, and Hollywood Snobbery|url=http://movieline.com/2011/09/28/fantastic-fest-kevin-sorbo-on-the-twisted-julia-x-3d-christian-films-and-hollywood-snobbery/|first=Jen|last=Yamato|access-date=September 24, 2018|work=Movieline|date=September 28, 2011|quote=You were previously up to play roles like Superman and Mulder in The X-Files before your Hercules days.|archive-date=June 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625132422/http://movieline.com/2011/09/28/fantastic-fest-kevin-sorbo-on-the-twisted-julia-x-3d-christian-films-and-hollywood-snobbery/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pQIDAQAAQBAJ&q=sorbo+mulder&pg=PA370|title=Science Fiction Television Series, 1990–2004: Histories, Casts and Credits for 58 Shows|first1=Frank|last1=Garcia|first2=Mark|last2=Phillips|date=2013|access-date=September 24, 2018|page=370|publisher=McFarland|via=Google Books|isbn=9780786491834|archive-date=May 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505181431/https://books.google.com/books?id=pQIDAQAAQBAJ&q=sorbo+mulder&pg=PA370|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://actorsorbo.narod.ru/sorbo_eng/kevinroles_eng/roles_loss_eng.htm|title=Winston-Salem Journal|date=August 29, 1997|access-date=September 24, 2018|quote=People make too big a deal out of me getting the Agent Mulder role in that,'' he said with a laugh. ''I got in to read twice for that part. Nowhere near getting it. How would he be different if I played him? Mulder would be taller.|archive-date=September 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924145114/http://actorsorbo.narod.ru/sorbo_eng/kevinroles_eng/roles_loss_eng.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1993, he made his film debut in ''[[Slaughter of the Innocents (film)|Slaughter of the Innocents]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carter |first=Brooke |date=January 23, 2017 |title=What Happened to Kevin Sorbo – News & Updates |url=https://gazettereview.com/2017/01/happened-kevin-sorbo-news-updates/ |work=Gazette Review |access-date=January 23, 2017 |archive-date=June 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620070834/http://gazettereview.com/2017/01/happened-kevin-sorbo-news-updates/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Professional breakthrough with ''Hercules''===
===Professional breakthrough with ''Hercules''===
In 1993, Sorbo received his breakthrough leading role as the [[ancient greek]] [[demigod]] [[Hercules]] in a series of five [[television films]] that aired as part of [[Universal Television]]'s [[Action Pack (television)|Action Pack]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1994-11-06/news/tv-59138_1_kevin-sorbo|title=WITH AN EYE ON ... : Kevin Sorbo's Hercules is strong stuff but not exactly his serious side|first=N. F.|last=MENDOZA|date=November 6, 1994|via=LA Times|access-date=May 6, 2016|archive-date=June 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603130129/http://articles.latimes.com/1994-11-06/news/tv-59138_1_kevin-sorbo|url-status=live}}</ref> The first film to premiere was ''[[Hercules and the Amazon Women]]'', which aired in April 1994, the others following later in the year. The ratings success of the films paved the way for the commission of the television series ''[[Hercules: The Legendary Journeys]]'', which started airing in [[Broadcast syndication|syndication]] from January 1995 and ran for six seasons. The series made Sorbo an international star and was one of the highest rated syndicated television shows at the time.<ref name="scifiw">{{Citation | title = Kevin Sorbo |url=http://www.thescifiworld.net/interviews/kevin_sorbo_01.htm | type = interview | work = The sci-fi world | access-date = November 2, 2017 | archive-date = June 25, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625103948/http://www.thescifiworld.net/interviews/kevin_sorbo_01.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=October 2023}}
In 1993, Sorbo received his breakthrough leading role as the [[ancient greek]] [[demigod]] [[Hercules]] in a series of five [[television films]] that aired as part of [[Universal Television]]'s [[Action Pack (television)|Action Pack]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-11-06-tv-59138-story.html|title=WITH AN EYE ON ... : Kevin Sorbo's Hercules is strong stuff but not exactly his serious side|first=N. F.|last=MENDOZA|date=November 6, 1994|via=LA Times|access-date=May 6, 2016|archive-date=June 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603130129/http://articles.latimes.com/1994-11-06/news/tv-59138_1_kevin-sorbo|url-status=live}}</ref> The first film to premiere was ''[[Hercules and the Amazon Women]]'', which aired in April 1994, the others following later in the year. The ratings success of the films paved the way for the commission of the television series ''[[Hercules: The Legendary Journeys]]'', which started airing in [[Broadcast syndication|syndication]] from January 1995 and ran for six seasons. The series made Sorbo an international star and was one of the highest rated syndicated television shows at the time.<ref name="scifiw">{{Citation | title = Kevin Sorbo |url=http://www.thescifiworld.net/interviews/kevin_sorbo_01.htm | type = interview | work = The sci-fi world | access-date = November 2, 2017 | archive-date = June 25, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625103948/http://www.thescifiworld.net/interviews/kevin_sorbo_01.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=October 2023}}


The success of the show spawned the popular [[spin-off (media)|spin-off]] series ''[[Xena: Warrior Princess]]'' starring [[Lucy Lawless]], who was introduced in a three-episode arc in the first season of ''Hercules''. This allowed several characters from both shows to make [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] appearances. In 1998, a spin-off [[direct-to-video]], [[animated]] film titled ''[[Hercules and Xena – The Animated Movie: The Battle for Mount Olympus]]'' was released with both Sorbo and Lawless voicing the characters.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lenburg |first1=Jeff |title=The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons |date=2009 |publisher=Checkmark Books |location=New York |isbn=978-0-8160-6600-1 |edition=3rd |page=317}}</ref>
The success of the show spawned the popular [[spin-off (media)|spin-off]] series ''[[Xena: Warrior Princess]]'' starring [[Lucy Lawless]], who was introduced in a three-episode arc in the first season of ''Hercules''. This allowed several characters from both shows to make [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] appearances. In 1998, a spin-off [[direct-to-video]], [[animated]] film titled ''[[Hercules and Xena – The Animated Movie: The Battle for Mount Olympus]]'' was released with both Sorbo and Lawless voicing the characters.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lenburg |first1=Jeff |title=The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons |date=2009 |publisher=Checkmark Books |location=New York |isbn=978-0-8160-6600-1 |edition=3rd |page=317}}</ref>


''Hercules'' was canceled midway through the filming of Season Six, of which only eight episodes were produced. The final episode aired in November 1999.<ref>{{Citation | title = Entertainment | newspaper = The Los Angeles times | date = November 27, 1999 |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1999/nov/27/entertainment/ca-37888 | access-date = November 2, 2017 | archive-date = December 10, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210153743/http://articles.latimes.com/1999/nov/27/entertainment/ca-37888 | url-status = live }}.</ref> Although it was not revealed at the time, health issues reduced Sorbo's abilities to perform the physically demanding role during the later seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chestang |first=Raphael |date=2011-10-17 |title=Kevin Sorbo Reveals Near-Death Experience |url=https://www.etonline.com/news/115243_Kevin_Sorbo_Reveals_Near_Death_Experience |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Entertainment Tonight}}</ref> Sorbo made his final appearance as Hercules on ''Xena'', in the Season Five episode "God Fearing Child", which aired in February 2000.
''Hercules'' was canceled midway through the filming of Season Six, of which only eight episodes were produced. The final episode aired in November 1999.<ref>{{Citation | title = Entertainment | newspaper = The Los Angeles times | date = November 27, 1999 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-nov-27-ca-37888-story.html | access-date = November 2, 2017 | archive-date = December 10, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210153743/http://articles.latimes.com/1999/nov/27/entertainment/ca-37888 | url-status = live }}.</ref> Although it was not revealed at the time, health issues reduced Sorbo's abilities to perform the physically demanding role during the later seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chestang |first=Raphael |date=2011-10-17 |title=Kevin Sorbo Reveals Near-Death Experience |url=https://www.etonline.com/news/115243_Kevin_Sorbo_Reveals_Near_Death_Experience |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Entertainment Tonight}}</ref> Sorbo made his final appearance as Hercules on ''Xena'', in the Season Five episode "God Fearing Child", which aired in February 2000.


In between his years playing Hercules, Sorbo played his first leading film role in the 1997 film ''[[Kull the Conqueror]]''. In a mostly negative review, ''[[The New York Times]]'' writes, "Mr. Sorbo provides the requisite oiled torso, a hint of humor and the professionalism and good grace to act as if ''Kull the Conqueror'' mattered."<ref>{{cite news|title=Kull the Conqueror (1997)|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A0CE6DE1231F93AA1575BC0A961958260|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=October 2, 2015|archive-date=October 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011182239/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A0CE6DE1231F93AA1575BC0A961958260|url-status=live}}</ref>
In between his years playing Hercules, Sorbo played his first leading film role in the 1997 film ''[[Kull the Conqueror]]''. In a mostly negative review, ''[[The New York Times]]'' writes, "Mr. Sorbo provides the requisite oiled torso, a hint of humor and the professionalism and good grace to act as if ''Kull the Conqueror'' mattered."<ref>{{cite news|title=Kull the Conqueror (1997)|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A0CE6DE1231F93AA1575BC0A961958260|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=October 2, 2015|archive-date=October 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011182239/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A0CE6DE1231F93AA1575BC0A961958260|url-status=live}}</ref>
Line 47: Line 47:
In 2007, he starred in two [[direct-to-video]] sequels to ''[[Walking Tall (2004 film)|Walking Tall]]'', ''[[Walking Tall: The Payback]]'' and ''[[Walking Tall: Lone Justice]]''. In the [[Hallmark Channel]] film ''[[Avenging Angel (2007 TV film)|Avenging Angel]]'', he co-starred with his real wife, [[Sam Sorbo|Sam Jenkins]].
In 2007, he starred in two [[direct-to-video]] sequels to ''[[Walking Tall (2004 film)|Walking Tall]]'', ''[[Walking Tall: The Payback]]'' and ''[[Walking Tall: Lone Justice]]''. In the [[Hallmark Channel]] film ''[[Avenging Angel (2007 TV film)|Avenging Angel]]'', he co-starred with his real wife, [[Sam Sorbo|Sam Jenkins]].


In the 2008, he appeared in the [[parody film|spoof film]] titled'' [[Meet the Spartans]]'', which was a box office success despite poor reviews.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-numbers.com/charts/weekly/2008/20080125.php |title=Weekend Box Office Chart for January 25th, 2008 |publisher=The Numbers |date=January 25, 2008 |access-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-date=May 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510040419/http://www.the-numbers.com/charts/weekly/2008/20080125.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/meet_the_spartans/ |title=Meet the Spartans |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-date=April 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428185954/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/meet_the_spartans/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2008, he appeared in the [[parody film|spoof film]] titled'' [[Meet the Spartans]]'', which was a box office success despite poor reviews.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-numbers.com/charts/weekly/2008/20080125.php |title=Weekend Box Office Chart for January 25th, 2008 |publisher=The Numbers |date=January 25, 2008 |access-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-date=May 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510040419/http://www.the-numbers.com/charts/weekly/2008/20080125.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/meet_the_spartans/ |title=Meet the Spartans |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-date=April 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428185954/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/meet_the_spartans/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


[[File:Kevin Sorbo 03.jpg|right|upright|Sorbo in 2013|thumb]]
[[File:Kevin Sorbo 03.jpg|right|upright|Sorbo in 2013|thumb]]
Line 61: Line 61:
In 2017, Sorbo directed and starred in the [[Christian drama]] film ''[[Let There Be Light (2017 film)|Let There Be Light]]'', which featured conservative pundit [[Sean Hannity]], who was also an executive producer. It was described by the ''[[The New Yorker|New Yorker]]'' as "a cynical, xenophobic morality tale, as bitter as it is saccharine" that closes with "a dénouement of bald Islamophobia".<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Blanche |date=October 26, 2017 |title=Kevin Sorbo opens up about new film 'Let There Be Light': 'The world has gotten more evil' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/kevin-sorbo-opens-up-about-new-film-let-there-be-light-the-world-has-gotten-more-evil |work=[[Fox News]] |access-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-date=June 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614063102/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/kevin-sorbo-opens-up-about-new-film-let-there-be-light-the-world-has-gotten-more-evil |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sean Hannity and Kevin Sorbo's ''Let There Be Light'' Is Pious, Xenophobic Fun for the Whole Family |first=Dan |last=Piepenbring |date=November 4, 2017 |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/sean-hannity-and-kevin-sorbos-let-there-be-light-is-pious-xenophobic-fun-for-the-whole-family}}</ref> ''[[The Los Angeles Times]]'', although critical, says that it provides "an involving bonanza" for its intended Christian audience. Sorbo is described as bringing "puckish charm and credible warmth to his role".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-mini-let-there-be-light-review-20171026-story.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |title=Review: Sean Hannity and Kevin Sorbo join forces in the Christian reckoning drama 'Let There be Light' |date=October 26, 2017 }}</ref>
In 2017, Sorbo directed and starred in the [[Christian drama]] film ''[[Let There Be Light (2017 film)|Let There Be Light]]'', which featured conservative pundit [[Sean Hannity]], who was also an executive producer. It was described by the ''[[The New Yorker|New Yorker]]'' as "a cynical, xenophobic morality tale, as bitter as it is saccharine" that closes with "a dénouement of bald Islamophobia".<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Blanche |date=October 26, 2017 |title=Kevin Sorbo opens up about new film 'Let There Be Light': 'The world has gotten more evil' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/kevin-sorbo-opens-up-about-new-film-let-there-be-light-the-world-has-gotten-more-evil |work=[[Fox News]] |access-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-date=June 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614063102/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/kevin-sorbo-opens-up-about-new-film-let-there-be-light-the-world-has-gotten-more-evil |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sean Hannity and Kevin Sorbo's ''Let There Be Light'' Is Pious, Xenophobic Fun for the Whole Family |first=Dan |last=Piepenbring |date=November 4, 2017 |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/sean-hannity-and-kevin-sorbos-let-there-be-light-is-pious-xenophobic-fun-for-the-whole-family}}</ref> ''[[The Los Angeles Times]]'', although critical, says that it provides "an involving bonanza" for its intended Christian audience. Sorbo is described as bringing "puckish charm and credible warmth to his role".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-mini-let-there-be-light-review-20171026-story.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |title=Review: Sean Hannity and Kevin Sorbo join forces in the Christian reckoning drama 'Let There be Light' |date=October 26, 2017 }}</ref>


In 2023, he is set to appear in the [[Ronald Reagan]] [[Reagan (2024 film)|biopic]] opposite [[Dennis Quaid]] who plays the title role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCarty |first=India |date=2022-04-25 |title=Kevin Sorbo Celebrates Upcoming Projects, Including REAGAN Biopic |url=https://www.movieguide.org/news-articles/kevin-sorbo-celebrates-upcoming-projects-including-reagan-biopic.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Movieguide {{!}} The Family Guide to Movies & Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2024, he appeared in the [[Ronald Reagan]] [[Reagan (2024 film)|biopic]] opposite [[Dennis Quaid]] who plays the title role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCarty |first=India |date=2022-04-25 |title=Kevin Sorbo Celebrates Upcoming Projects, Including REAGAN Biopic |url=https://www.movieguide.org/news-articles/kevin-sorbo-celebrates-upcoming-projects-including-reagan-biopic.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Movieguide {{!}} The Family Guide to Movies & Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Sorbo is a Christian. Although he grew up [[Lutheran]], he attends a [[Nondenominational Christianity|nondenominational]] church.<ref>{{cite web |first=Sasha |last=Savitsky |url=http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2014/03/20/kevin-sorbo-why-is-hollywood-so-afraid-god/ |title=Kevin Sorbo: Why is Hollywood so afraid of God? |publisher=Fox News |date=March 20, 2014 |access-date=June 2, 2014 |archive-date=April 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422000634/http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2014/03/20/kevin-sorbo-why-is-hollywood-so-afraid-god/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Sorbo is a Christian. Although he grew up [[Lutheran]], he attends a [[Nondenominational Christianity|nondenominational]] church.<ref>{{cite web |first=Sasha |last=Savitsky |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/kevin-sorbo-why-is-hollywood-so-afraid-of-god/ |title=Kevin Sorbo: Why is Hollywood so afraid of God? |publisher=Fox News |date=March 20, 2014 |access-date=June 2, 2014 |archive-date=April 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422000634/http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2014/03/20/kevin-sorbo-why-is-hollywood-so-afraid-god/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 5, 1998, Sorbo married actress [[Sam Sorbo]] (née Jenkins), whom he met the previous year when she had a small recurring role on ''Hercules'' (Season 3, Episode 8 "Prince Hercules"). They have three children, including [[Braeden Sorbo]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Beck|first1=Marilyn|last2=Jenel Smith|first2=Stacy|date=September 18, 2001|title='Family Ties' dad has new view of war|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner/129725737/|newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]]|page=C4|access-date=August 9, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Weisbrot|first=Robert|date=2004|title=Hercules: The Legendary Journeys: An Insider's Guide to the Continuing Adventures|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D4RFX7tTjvYC&pg=PA233|publisher=[[Taylor Trade Publishing]]|page=233|isbn=1-58979-120-7}}</ref> Sorbo is the spokesman and chair of A World Fit for Kids! (AWFFK!), a non-profit organization that trains teenagers to become mentors to younger children.<ref>{{cite news|first=Efrem|last=Graham|title=Kevin Sorbo Uses Faith to Make 'World Fit for Kids'|url=http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2015/August/Kevin-Sorbo-Uses-Faith-to-Make-World-Fit-for-Kids/|access-date=October 2, 2015|publisher=cbn.com|date=August 27, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053301/http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2015/August/Kevin-Sorbo-Uses-Faith-to-Make-World-Fit-for-Kids/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 5, 1998, Sorbo married actress [[Sam Sorbo]] (née Jenkins), whom he met the previous year when she had a small recurring role on ''Hercules'' (Season 3, Episode 8 "Prince Hercules"). They have three children, including [[Braeden Sorbo]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Beck|first1=Marilyn|last2=Jenel Smith|first2=Stacy|date=September 18, 2001|title='Family Ties' dad has new view of war|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner/129725737/|newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]]|page=C4|access-date=August 9, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Weisbrot|first=Robert|date=2004|title=Hercules: The Legendary Journeys: An Insider's Guide to the Continuing Adventures|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D4RFX7tTjvYC&pg=PA233|publisher=[[Taylor Trade Publishing]]|page=233|isbn=1-58979-120-7}}</ref> Sorbo is the spokesman and chair of A World Fit for Kids! (AWFFK!), a non-profit organization that trains teenagers to become mentors to younger children.<ref>{{cite news|first=Efrem|last=Graham|title=Kevin Sorbo Uses Faith to Make 'World Fit for Kids'|url=http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2015/August/Kevin-Sorbo-Uses-Faith-to-Make-World-Fit-for-Kids/|access-date=October 2, 2015|publisher=cbn.com|date=August 27, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053301/http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2015/August/Kevin-Sorbo-Uses-Faith-to-Make-World-Fit-for-Kids/|url-status=live}}</ref>


In 2001, Sorbo was featured on a celebrity edition of the game show ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (U.S. game show)|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire]]'', winning $32,000. The money was donated to his charity, A World Fit For Kids.<ref>{{cite news |last=Papadatos |first=Markos |date=July 17, 2014 |title='Hercules' star Kevin Sorbo talks acting career and charity work |url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/a-and-e/entertainment/hercules-star-kevin-sorbo-talks-acting-career-and-charity-work/article/390589 |work=Digital Journal |access-date=July 17, 2014 |archive-date=July 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140721015516/http://www.digitaljournal.com/a-and-e/entertainment/hercules-star-kevin-sorbo-talks-acting-career-and-charity-work/article/390589 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2001, Sorbo was featured on a celebrity edition of the game show ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (U.S. game show)|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire]]'', winning $32,000. The money was donated to his charity, A World Fit For Kids.<ref>{{cite news |last=Papadatos |first=Markos |date=July 17, 2014 |title='Hercules' star Kevin Sorbo talks acting career and charity work |url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/a-and-e/entertainment/hercules-star-kevin-sorbo-talks-acting-career-and-charity-work/article/390589 |work=Digital Journal |access-date=July 17, 2014 |archive-date=July 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140721015516/http://www.digitaljournal.com/a-and-e/entertainment/hercules-star-kevin-sorbo-talks-acting-career-and-charity-work/article/390589 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Line 81: Line 79:
In 2014, during an interview with Jerry Newcombe on the radio show ''[[Vocal Point]]'', Sorbo defended [[Mel Gibson]] against allegations that his 2004 film ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'' was anti-Semitic with the words: "News bulletin: you did kill Jesus!"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.salon.com/2014/09/08/7_worst_right_wing_moments_of_the_week_%e2%80%94%c2%a0kevin_sorbo_reminds_jews_they_killed_jesus_partner/|title=7 worst right-wing moments of the week — Kevin Sorbo wants to remind Jews they "killed Jesus"|date=September 8, 2014|website=Salon|access-date=December 12, 2020|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119151207/https://www.salon.com/2014/09/08/7_worst_right_wing_moments_of_the_week_%E2%80%94%C2%A0kevin_sorbo_reminds_jews_they_killed_jesus_partner/|url-status=live}}</ref> Sorbo later stated he could have rephrased his statements, but defended his stance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.christiantoday.com/article/kevin-sorbo-defends-jews-killed-jesus-remarks/40586.htm|title=Kevin Sorbo defends 'Jews killed Jesus' remarks|first=Brownie Marie September 12, 2014 &#124; 11:10|last=PM|website=www.christiantoday.com|date=September 12, 2014 |access-date=December 12, 2020|archive-date=December 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209040746/https://christiantoday.com/article/kevin-sorbo-defends-jews-killed-jesus-remarks/40586.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2014, during an interview with Jerry Newcombe on the radio show ''[[Vocal Point]]'', Sorbo defended [[Mel Gibson]] against allegations that his 2004 film ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'' was anti-Semitic with the words: "News bulletin: you did kill Jesus!"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.salon.com/2014/09/08/7_worst_right_wing_moments_of_the_week_%e2%80%94%c2%a0kevin_sorbo_reminds_jews_they_killed_jesus_partner/|title=7 worst right-wing moments of the week — Kevin Sorbo wants to remind Jews they "killed Jesus"|date=September 8, 2014|website=Salon|access-date=December 12, 2020|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119151207/https://www.salon.com/2014/09/08/7_worst_right_wing_moments_of_the_week_%E2%80%94%C2%A0kevin_sorbo_reminds_jews_they_killed_jesus_partner/|url-status=live}}</ref> Sorbo later stated he could have rephrased his statements, but defended his stance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.christiantoday.com/article/kevin-sorbo-defends-jews-killed-jesus-remarks/40586.htm|title=Kevin Sorbo defends 'Jews killed Jesus' remarks|first=Brownie Marie September 12, 2014 &#124; 11:10|last=PM|website=www.christiantoday.com|date=September 12, 2014 |access-date=December 12, 2020|archive-date=December 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209040746/https://christiantoday.com/article/kevin-sorbo-defends-jews-killed-jesus-remarks/40586.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>


[[Facebook]] removed him from the platform during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] claiming "We removed Kevin Sorbo's page for repeatedly sharing debunked claims about the coronavirus or vaccines." Sorbo responded that he posts things that doctors say and that Facebook had been shadow banning him for a year prior. He stated, "I [would have been] more than happy to take them [down], whatever offensive posts that Facebook deemed that I should not be posting, So I question their statements… that they gave me."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nolasco |first=Stephanie |date=2021-02-19 |title=Kevin Sorbo speaks out after Facebook deleted his page: 'Freedom of speech has gone out the window' |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/kevin-sorbo-facebook-freedom-of-speech |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=FOXBusiness |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Tyler |date=2021-02-17 |title=Facebook responds to Kevin Sorbo's claims of censorship, alleging he violated coronavirus misinformation rules |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/kevin-sorbo-facebook-removed-censorship-coronavirus-misinformation |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=October 2023}}
[[Facebook]] removed him from the platform during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] claiming "We removed Kevin Sorbo's page for repeatedly sharing debunked claims about the coronavirus or vaccines." Sorbo responded that he posts things that doctors say and that Facebook had been shadow banning him for a year prior. He stated: "I [would have been] more than happy to take them [down], whatever offensive posts that Facebook deemed that I should not be posting, So, I question their statements… that they gave me."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nolasco |first=Stephanie |date=2021-02-19 |title=Kevin Sorbo speaks out after Facebook deleted his page: 'Freedom of speech has gone out the window' |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/kevin-sorbo-facebook-freedom-of-speech |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=FOXBusiness |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Tyler |date=2021-02-17 |title=Facebook responds to Kevin Sorbo's claims of censorship, alleging he violated coronavirus misinformation rules |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/kevin-sorbo-facebook-removed-censorship-coronavirus-misinformation |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=October 2023}}

After [[Donald Trump]] lost the 2020 presidential election, Sorbo repeatedly made remarks defending Trump's [[Republican reactions to Donald Trump's claims of 2020 election fraud|claims of election fraud]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2021-01-08/hercules-kevin-sorbo-xena-lucy-lawless-capitol-riot|title='Hercules' and 'Xena: Warrior Princess' throw down over who instigated Capitol riots|first=Christie|last=D'Zurilla|newspaper=LA Times|date=2021-01-08|accessdate=2022-04-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McCarthy |first1=Tyler |title=Kevin Sorbo speaks out about Hollywood hypocrisy, 2020 election: 'It's not really over yet' |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/kevin-sorbo-hollywood-hypocisy-2020-election |website=Fox Business |date=December 14, 2020 |publisher=Fox |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref> Although he initially supported the protestors as loyal defenders of Trump and enjoined them to respect the police, Sorbo subsequently backtracked and blamed the violence on [[Antifa (United States)|antifa]].<ref>{{cite web |title=PRAY: KEVIN SORBO LIVE TWEETS CAPITOL RIOTS |url=https://www.movieguide.org/say-what/pray-kevin-sorbo-live-tweets-capitol-riots.html |website=MovieGuide |date=January 6, 2021 |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref> This led to a widely reported Twitter exchange between former co-stars Kevin Sorbo and [[Lucy Lawless]], who have exchanged conflicting views on personal and political matters throughout the past 20 years.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Spencer |first1=Samuel |title=Lucy Lawless and Kevin Sorbo: A Timeline of Their Feud |url=https://www.newsweek.com/lucy-lawless-kevin-sorbo-twitter-feud-xena-hercules-1559930 |website=Newsweek |date=January 8, 2021 |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=D'Zurilla |first1=Christie |title='Hercules' and 'Xena: Warrior Princess' throw down over who instigated Capitol riots |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2021-01-08/hercules-kevin-sorbo-xena-lucy-lawless-capitol-riot |newspaper=LA Times |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Nolan |first1=Emma |title=Lucy Lawless Explains Why She Called Out 'Chicken' Kevin Sorbo |url=https://www.newsweek.com/lucy-lawless-chicken-kevin-sorbo-feud-extremism-interview-1643075 |website=Newsweek |date=October 27, 2021 |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mason |first=Jessica |date=2021-01-08 |title=Lucy Lawless Destroys Kevin Sorbo on Twitter |url=https://www.themarysue.com/lucy-lawless-destroys-kevin-sorbo-on-twitter/ |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=The Mary Sue |language=en}}</ref> According to ''[[Dan Abrams|The Mary Sue]]'', apart from audiences of his Christian films, Sorbo's relevance today is otherwise limited to those who follow his political commentary on Twitter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mason |first=Jessica |date=2020-11-10 |title=Pro-Trump Kevin Sorbo Mocked on Twitter for Election Result Denial |url=https://www.themarysue.com/pro-trump-kevin-sorbo-mocked-on-twitter-for-election-result-denial/ |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=The Mary Sue |language=en}}</ref><!--In case I am not the only one not to have heard of this outlet, it is considered a reliable source by Wikipedia; in some cases, however, attribution is advised. Pls. see [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources/Perennial sources]] for archived discussion-->


After [[Donald Trump]] lost the 2020 presidential election, Sorbo repeatedly made remarks defending Trump's [[Republican reactions to Donald Trump's claims of 2020 election fraud|claims of election fraud]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2021-01-08/hercules-kevin-sorbo-xena-lucy-lawless-capitol-riot|title='Hercules' and 'Xena: Warrior Princess' throw down over who instigated Capitol riots|first=Christie|last=D'Zurilla|newspaper=LA Times|date=2021-01-08|accessdate=2022-04-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McCarthy |first1=Tyler |title=Kevin Sorbo speaks out about Hollywood hypocrisy, 2020 election: 'It's not really over yet' |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/kevin-sorbo-hollywood-hypocisy-2020-election |website=Fox Business |date=December 14, 2020 |publisher=Fox |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref> Although he initially supported the protestors as loyal defenders of Trump and enjoined them to respect the police, Sorbo subsequently backtracked and blamed the violence on [[Antifa (United States)|antifa]].<ref>{{cite web |title=PRAY: KEVIN SORBO LIVE TWEETS CAPITOL RIOTS |url=https://www.movieguide.org/say-what/pray-kevin-sorbo-live-tweets-capitol-riots.html |website=MovieGuide |date=January 6, 2021 |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref> This led to a widely reported Twitter exchange between him and his former co-star [[Lucy Lawless]], who have exchanged conflicting views on personal and political matters throughout the past 20 years.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Spencer |first1=Samuel |title=Lucy Lawless and Kevin Sorbo: A Timeline of Their Feud |url=https://www.newsweek.com/lucy-lawless-kevin-sorbo-twitter-feud-xena-hercules-1559930 |website=Newsweek |date=January 8, 2021 |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=D'Zurilla |first1=Christie |title='Hercules' and 'Xena: Warrior Princess' throw down over who instigated Capitol riots |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2021-01-08/hercules-kevin-sorbo-xena-lucy-lawless-capitol-riot |newspaper=LA Times |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Nolan |first1=Emma |title=Lucy Lawless Explains Why She Called Out 'Chicken' Kevin Sorbo |url=https://www.newsweek.com/lucy-lawless-chicken-kevin-sorbo-feud-extremism-interview-1643075 |website=Newsweek |date=October 27, 2021 |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mason |first=Jessica |date=2021-01-08 |title=Lucy Lawless Destroys Kevin Sorbo on Twitter |url=https://www.themarysue.com/lucy-lawless-destroys-kevin-sorbo-on-twitter/ |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=The Mary Sue |language=en}}</ref> According to ''[[Dan Abrams|The Mary Sue]]'', apart from audiences of his Christian films, Sorbo's relevance today is otherwise limited to those who follow his political commentary on Twitter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mason |first=Jessica |date=2020-11-10 |title=Pro-Trump Kevin Sorbo Mocked on Twitter for Election Result Denial |url=https://www.themarysue.com/pro-trump-kevin-sorbo-mocked-on-twitter-for-election-result-denial/ |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=The Mary Sue |language=en}}</ref><!--In case I am not the only one not to have heard of this outlet, it is considered a reliable source by Wikipedia; in some cases, however, attribution is advised. Pls. see [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources/Perennial sources]] for archived discussion-->
In 2022, Sorbo was a featured speaker at the [[Conservative Political Action Conference]]. He wore a suit lined with his own tweets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-cpac-orlando-advance-20220222-dwuheuqa6fhgpfjp6p2ctg4bsy-story.html|title=They're back. CPAC draws Trump, De Santis to Orlando again for more political drama|first=Steven|last=Lemongello|publisher=Orlando Sentinel|date=2022-02-22|accessdate=2022-04-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Monacelli |first=Steven |date=2022-02-28 |title=Candace Owens Is Mad Girls Aren't Being Taught to Make Their Future Husbands a Sandwich -- and 13 Other Crazy CPAC Moments You Missed |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/cpac2022-afpac-mtg-candace-owens-trump-1314137/ |access-date=2023-11-15 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>


In 2023, Sorbo published a children's book entitled ''The Test of Lionhood'', which explores the theme of masculinity from a Christian perspective for young boys,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Alcindor |first1=Nicole |last2=Reporter |first2=C. P. |date=2023-09-25 |title=Kevin Sorbo writes new children's book to expose dangers of 'woke gender confusion' |url=https://www.christianpost.com/books/kevin-sorbo-writes-childrens-book-to-fight-woke-gender-confusion.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=The Christian Post |language=en-US}}</ref> as part of a larger fight in defense of the virtues of masculinity, which he says are being eroded in Hollywood and in society at large.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jaenchen |first=Lillie |date=2023-09-28 |title=Kevin Sorbo's New Book Teaches Boys About Masculinity |url=https://www.movieguide.org/news-articles/kevin-sorbos-new-book-teaches-boys-about-masculinity.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Movieguide {{!}} The Family Guide to Movies & Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sorbo |first=Kevin |date=2023-09-16 |title=Let's make Hollywood manly again |url=https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/lets-make-hollywood-manly-again |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2022, Sorbo was a featured speaker at the [[Conservative Political Action Conference]]. He wore a suit lined with his own tweets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-cpac-orlando-advance-20220222-dwuheuqa6fhgpfjp6p2ctg4bsy-story.html|title=They're back. CPAC draws Trump, De Santis to Orlando again for more political drama|first=Steven|last=Lemongello|publisher=Orlando Sentinel|date=2022-02-22|accessdate=2022-04-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Monacelli |first=Steven |date=2022-02-28 |title=Candace Owens Is Mad Girls Aren't Being Taught to Make Their Future Husbands a Sandwich -- and 13 Other Crazy CPAC Moments You Missed |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/cpac2022-afpac-mtg-candace-owens-trump-1314137/ |access-date=2023-11-15 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2023, Sorbo published a children's book entitled ''The Test of Lionhood'', which explores the theme of masculinity from a Christian perspective for young boys,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Alcindor |first1=Nicole |last2=Reporter |first2=C. P. |date=2023-09-25 |title=Kevin Sorbo writes new children's book to expose dangers of 'woke gender confusion' |url=https://www.christianpost.com/books/kevin-sorbo-writes-childrens-book-to-fight-woke-gender-confusion.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=The Christian Post |language=en-US}}</ref> as part of a larger fight in defense of the virtues of masculinity, which he says are being eroded in Hollywood and in society at large.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jaenchen |first=Lillie |date=2023-09-28 |title=Kevin Sorbo's New Book Teaches Boys About Masculinity |url=https://www.movieguide.org/news-articles/kevin-sorbos-new-book-teaches-boys-about-masculinity.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Movieguide {{!}} The Family Guide to Movies & Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sorbo |first=Kevin |date=2023-09-16 |title=Let's make Hollywood manly again |url=https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/lets-make-hollywood-manly-again |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
Line 196: Line 192:
| 2018 ||''[[Bernie the Dolphin]]'' || Winston Mills ||
| 2018 ||''[[Bernie the Dolphin]]'' || Winston Mills ||
|-
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2019 || ''The Reliant'' ||
| rowspan=3 | 2019 || ''The Reliant'' ||
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/kevin-sorbo-defends-the-reliant|title=Kevin Sorbo defends faith-based action film 'The Reliant,' says 'Hollywood doesn't really owe me anything'|first=Stephanie|last=Nolasco|date=October 23, 2019|website=Fox News|access-date=November 3, 2019|archive-date=November 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103041652/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/kevin-sorbo-defends-the-reliant|url-status=live}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/kevin-sorbo-defends-the-reliant|title=Kevin Sorbo defends faith-based action film 'The Reliant,' says 'Hollywood doesn't really owe me anything'|first=Stephanie|last=Nolasco|date=October 23, 2019|website=Fox News|access-date=November 3, 2019|archive-date=November 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103041652/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/kevin-sorbo-defends-the-reliant|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
| ''Miracle in East Texas'' || Doc Boyd || Director<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ozarksfirst.com/local-news/hollywood-actor-director-teams-up-with-local-filmmaker/|title=Hollywood actor/director teams up with local filmmaker|date=January 17, 2020|website=KOLR - OzarksFirst.com|language=en-US|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-date=January 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118121247/https://www.ozarksfirst.com/local-news/hollywood-actor-director-teams-up-with-local-filmmaker/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| ''Miracle in East Texas'' || Doc Boyd || Director, wide release in 2023<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ozarksfirst.com/local-news/hollywood-actor-director-teams-up-with-local-filmmaker/|title=Hollywood actor/director teams up with local filmmaker|date=January 17, 2020|website=KOLR - OzarksFirst.com|language=en-US|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-date=January 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118121247/https://www.ozarksfirst.com/local-news/hollywood-actor-director-teams-up-with-local-filmmaker/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
| ''[[Bernie the Dolphin 2]]''
| rowspan=2 | 2020 || ''The Penitent Thief'' || King Herod<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5122626/ | title=The Penitent Thief | website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref>
|Winston Mills
|
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2020 || ''The Penitent Thief'' || [[Herod the Great|King Herod]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5122626/ | title=The Penitent Thief | website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref>
|
|
|-
|-
Line 213: Line 213:
| ''Trail Blazers'' || Ethan || Post-production
| ''Trail Blazers'' || Ethan || Post-production
|-
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2023 || ''[[Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist]]'' || Rayford Steele || Also director
| rowspan=2 | 2023 || ''[[Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist]]'' || [[Rayford Steele]]|| Director
|-
|-
||''Alien Storm''|| President of the U.S.
||''Alien Storm''|| President of the U.S.
||
||
|-
|-
|rowspan=2|2024
|rowspan=5|2024
| ''[[The Firing Squad (2024 film)|The Firing Squad]]'' || Pastor Lynbrook ||
| ''[[The Firing Squad (2024 film)|The Firing Squad]]'' || Pastor Lynbrook ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Reagan (2024 film)|Reagan]]'' || TBA|| Post-production<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/reagan-movie-release-date-set-showbiz-direct-1235868769/|title=Dennis Quaid Starrer 'Reagan' Strikes North American Deal With Newly Launched ShowBiz Direct|date=March 26, 2024 |publisher=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=April 26, 2024}}</ref>
| ''[[Reagan (2024 film)|Reagan]]'' || Reverend Cleaver || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/reagan-movie-release-date-set-showbiz-direct-1235868769/|title=Dennis Quaid Starrer 'Reagan' Strikes North American Deal With Newly Launched ShowBiz Direct|date=March 26, 2024 |publisher=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=April 26, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|''Until the Last Promise'' || Pastor Thomas ||
|-
|''Devil's Knight'' || Guard Captain Baldur ||
|-
|''The Last Redemption'' || Lord Roland || Producer

|}
|}


Line 284: Line 291:
| ''[[Psych]]'' || Byrd Tatums || Episode: "Bounty Hunters!"
| ''[[Psych]]'' || Byrd Tatums || Episode: "Bounty Hunters!"
|-
|-
| ''[[Something Beneath (film)|Something Beneath]]'' || Father Douglas Middleton || Television film
| ''[[Something Beneath (film)|Something Beneath]]'' || Father Douglas Middleton || rowspan="2" | Television film
|-
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2008 || ''[[Never Cry Werewolf]]'' || Redd Tucker || Television film
| rowspan=2 | 2008 || ''[[Never Cry Werewolf]]'' || Redd Tucker
|-
|-
| ''[[The Middleman (TV series)|The Middleman]]'' || 1969 middleman / Guy Goddard || Episode: "The Obsolescent Cryogenic Meltdown"
| ''[[The Middleman (TV series)|The Middleman]]'' || 1969 middleman / Guy Goddard || Episode: "The Obsolescent Cryogenic Meltdown"
Line 300: Line 307:
| rowspan=2 | 2010 || ''[[Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series)|Hawaii Five-0]]'' || Carlton Bass || Episode: "Ko'olauloa"
| rowspan=2 | 2010 || ''[[Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series)|Hawaii Five-0]]'' || Carlton Bass || Episode: "Ko'olauloa"
|-
|-
| ''The Santa Suit''|| Drake Hunter / Santa Claus || Television film
| ''The Santa Suit''|| Drake Hunter / Santa Claus || rowspan="2" | Television film
|-
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2011 || ''Flesh Wounds'' || Lt. Tyler || Television film
| rowspan=2 | 2011 || ''Flesh Wounds'' || Lt. Tyler
|-
|-
| ''[[The Guild (web series)|The Guild]]'' || Himself || Episode: "Social Traumas"
| ''[[The Guild (web series)|The Guild]]'' || rowspan="2" | Himself || Episode: "Social Traumas"
|-
|-
| rowspan=4 | 2012 || ''[[Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23]]'' || Himself || Episode: "The Wedding"
| rowspan=4 | 2012 || ''[[Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23]]'' || Episode: "The Wedding"
|-
|-
| ''[[Key & Peele]]'' || Brad || Episode #2.6<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2466036/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_53|title="Key and Peele" Episode #2.6 (TV Episode 2012)|website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=February 3, 2017|archive-date=February 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204160922/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2466036/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_53|url-status=live}}</ref>
| ''[[Key & Peele]]'' || Brad || Episode #2.6<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2466036/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_53|title="Key and Peele" Episode #2.6 (TV Episode 2012)|website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=February 3, 2017|archive-date=February 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204160922/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2466036/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_53|url-status=live}}</ref>
Line 327: Line 334:
! Notes
! Notes
|-
|-
| 2009 || ''[[The Conduit]]'' || Prometheus || Voice
| 1997|| ''[[Mortal Kombat 4]]'' || Reiko, Quan Chi || rowspan="10" | Voice
|-
| 2009 || ''[[The Conduit]]'' || Prometheus
|-
|-
| 2010 || ''[[God of War III]]'' || Hercules || Voice
| 2010 || ''[[God of War III]]'' || Hercules
|-
|-
| 2012 || ''[[Skylanders: Giants]]'' || rowspan=2 | Crusher || Voice
| 2012 || ''[[Skylanders: Giants]]'' || rowspan=2 | Crusher
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"|2013 || ''[[Skylanders: Swap Force]]'' || Voice
| rowspan="2"|2013 || ''[[Skylanders: Swap Force]]''
|-
|-
|| ''[[Cloudberry Kingdom]]'' || Bob || Voice
|| ''[[Cloudberry Kingdom]]'' || Bob
|-
|-
| 2014 || ''[[Skylanders: Trap Team]]'' || Crusher || Voice
| 2014 || ''[[Skylanders: Trap Team]]'' || Crusher
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"|2015 || ''[[Smite (video game)|Smite]]'' || Hercules (Retro Skin) || Voice
| rowspan="2"|2015 || ''[[Smite (video game)|Smite]]'' || Hercules (Retro Skin)
|-
|-
|| ''[[Skylanders: SuperChargers]]'' || rowspan=2 | Crusher || Voice
|| ''[[Skylanders: SuperChargers]]'' || rowspan=2 | Crusher
|-
|-
| 2016 || ''[[Skylanders: Imaginators]]'' || Voice
| 2016 || ''[[Skylanders: Imaginators]]''
|}
|}


Line 366: Line 375:
[[Category:American evangelicals]]
[[Category:American evangelicals]]
[[Category:American conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:American conspiracy theorists]]
[[[Category:American anti-vaccination activists]]
[[Category:American anti-vaccination activists]]
[[Category:COVID-19 conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:COVID-19 conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
Line 375: Line 384:
[[Category:American television directors]]
[[Category:American television directors]]
[[Category:Christians from Minnesota]]
[[Category:Christians from Minnesota]]
[[Category:Critics of Black Lives Matter]]
[[Category:Former Lutherans]]
[[Category:Former Lutherans]]
[[Category:Male actors from Minnesota]]
[[Category:Male actors from Minnesota]]
[[Category:Male Western (genre) film actors]]
[[Category:Male Western (genre) film actors]]
[[Category:Minnesota Independents]]
[[Category:Minnesota independents]]
[[Category:Minnesota Republicans]]
[[Category:Minnesota Republicans]]
[[Category:Minnesota State University Moorhead alumni]]
[[Category:Minnesota State University Moorhead alumni]]

Latest revision as of 06:24, 23 November 2024

Kevin Sorbo
Sorbo in 2022
Born
Kevin David Sorbo

(1958-09-24) September 24, 1958 (age 66)
Alma materMinnesota State University Moorhead (BA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • producer
  • director
Years active1984–present
Spouse
(m. 1998)
Children3, including Braeden Sorbo
Websitekevinsorbo.net

Kevin David Sorbo (born September 24, 1958) is an American actor. He has had starring roles in two television series: as Hercules in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995–1999) and as Captain Dylan Hunt in Andromeda (2000–2005). In between his years playing Hercules, Sorbo played his first leading film role in the 1997 fantasy film Kull the Conqueror.

Sorbo is also known for acting in Christian films, such as God's Not Dead (2014) and Let There Be Light (2017).

Early life and education

[edit]

Sorbo was born in Mound, Minnesota, on September 24, 1958.[1] He is of Norwegian descent.[2] He was raised in a Lutheran family.[3] Sorbo attended Minnesota State University Moorhead, where he double majored in marketing and advertising.[4] To help pay for tuition, he began to work as a model for print and television advertising.[5]

Career

[edit]

Early work

[edit]

In the mid-1980s, Sorbo traveled around Europe and Australia working in television commercials and also modeling for print advertisements. During this period, he made his acting debut in an episode of the soap opera Santa Barbara in 1986. His second television appearance was in an episode of the sitcom 1st & Ten in 1988. He continued working in advertising and by the early 1990s, he had appeared in over 150 commercials. One of the popular commercials he appeared in was for Jim Beam bourbon whiskey, known for Sorbo's repeated catchphrase, "This ain't Jim Beam".[6]

His acting career continued with guest appearances in Murder She Wrote and The Commish. In 1992, he played his first leading role in an unsuccessful television pilot for a medical drama series titled Condition: Critical, which was not picked up, but aired as a television film on ABC. He was considered for and lost out to Dean Cain as Superman in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and was one of the possible contenders for the role of Fox Mulder in The X-Files, which went to David Duchovny.[7][8][9][10] In 1993, he made his film debut in Slaughter of the Innocents.[11]

Professional breakthrough with Hercules

[edit]

In 1993, Sorbo received his breakthrough leading role as the ancient greek demigod Hercules in a series of five television films that aired as part of Universal Television's Action Pack.[12] The first film to premiere was Hercules and the Amazon Women, which aired in April 1994, the others following later in the year. The ratings success of the films paved the way for the commission of the television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, which started airing in syndication from January 1995 and ran for six seasons. The series made Sorbo an international star and was one of the highest rated syndicated television shows at the time.[13][better source needed]

The success of the show spawned the popular spin-off series Xena: Warrior Princess starring Lucy Lawless, who was introduced in a three-episode arc in the first season of Hercules. This allowed several characters from both shows to make crossover appearances. In 1998, a spin-off direct-to-video, animated film titled Hercules and Xena – The Animated Movie: The Battle for Mount Olympus was released with both Sorbo and Lawless voicing the characters.[14]

Hercules was canceled midway through the filming of Season Six, of which only eight episodes were produced. The final episode aired in November 1999.[15] Although it was not revealed at the time, health issues reduced Sorbo's abilities to perform the physically demanding role during the later seasons.[16] Sorbo made his final appearance as Hercules on Xena, in the Season Five episode "God Fearing Child", which aired in February 2000.

In between his years playing Hercules, Sorbo played his first leading film role in the 1997 film Kull the Conqueror. In a mostly negative review, The New York Times writes, "Mr. Sorbo provides the requisite oiled torso, a hint of humor and the professionalism and good grace to act as if Kull the Conqueror mattered."[17]

Post-Hercules work

[edit]

After Hercules ended, Sorbo played the starring role of Captain Dylan Hunt in the science-fiction drama series Andromeda from 2000 to 2005. In 2006, he played a recurring role on the final season of The O.C.

In 2007, he starred in two direct-to-video sequels to Walking Tall, Walking Tall: The Payback and Walking Tall: Lone Justice. In the Hallmark Channel film Avenging Angel, he co-starred with his real wife, Sam Jenkins.

In 2008, he appeared in the spoof film titled Meet the Spartans, which was a box office success despite poor reviews.[18][19]

Sorbo in 2013

In the first of what would be several voice acting jobs, Sorbo performed one of the main protagonists, Prometheus, in the video game The Conduit.[20] He also reprised the role of Hercules in the video game God of War III and worked together with his wife on the game Cloudberry Kingdom.[21]

In 2014, Sorbo co-starred in God's Not Dead, a Christian film in which he portrayed an atheist college professor who requires his students to disown their religions on the first day of his class.[22] Although heavily panned by critics, it was a commercial success and the first of a sequence of Christian films that Sorbo would produce or perform.[23][24][25]

Sorbo appeared in the 2015 romantic comedy Single in South Beach, starring Haley Webb. On Twitter, in 2019, she accused Sorbo of sexual advances and of sexually harassing her on the set. However, Webb did not elaborate on any of her accusations, and he did not respond to her tweet.[26][27]

In 2017, Sorbo directed and starred in the Christian drama film Let There Be Light, which featured conservative pundit Sean Hannity, who was also an executive producer. It was described by the New Yorker as "a cynical, xenophobic morality tale, as bitter as it is saccharine" that closes with "a dénouement of bald Islamophobia".[28][29] The Los Angeles Times, although critical, says that it provides "an involving bonanza" for its intended Christian audience. Sorbo is described as bringing "puckish charm and credible warmth to his role".[30]

In 2024, he appeared in the Ronald Reagan biopic opposite Dennis Quaid who plays the title role.[31]

Personal life

[edit]

Sorbo is a Christian. Although he grew up Lutheran, he attends a nondenominational church.[32] On January 5, 1998, Sorbo married actress Sam Sorbo (née Jenkins), whom he met the previous year when she had a small recurring role on Hercules (Season 3, Episode 8 "Prince Hercules"). They have three children, including Braeden Sorbo.[33][34] Sorbo is the spokesman and chair of A World Fit for Kids! (AWFFK!), a non-profit organization that trains teenagers to become mentors to younger children.[35]

In 2001, Sorbo was featured on a celebrity edition of the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, winning $32,000. The money was donated to his charity, A World Fit For Kids.[36]

Health

[edit]

In late 1997, while on a publicity tour for Kull the Conqueror and between the fourth and fifth seasons of Hercules, the newly engaged Sorbo experienced an aneurysm in his shoulder which caused three strokes.[37][38] As a result, he was weakened for the next several years, a condition kept secret from the public while he recovered. During the last two seasons of Hercules (the fifth and sixth, which aired in 1998 and 1999), Sorbo had a reduced filming schedule to accommodate his condition, and more guest stars were featured in the show in order to reduce Sorbo's duties.[39] In his 2011 autobiography True Strength, Sorbo revealed the details of his injury and how his wife Sam helped him recover.[40]

In 2013, Sorbo received the Public Leadership in Neurology Award from the American Academy of Neurology and the American Brain Foundation for his efforts raising awareness about stroke.[41] He also received the 2013 Inspiration Honors Award from the Invisible Disabilities Association.[42]

Politics

[edit]
Sorbo in 2020 at an event hosted by Turning Point USA

In 2014, during an interview with Jerry Newcombe on the radio show Vocal Point, Sorbo defended Mel Gibson against allegations that his 2004 film The Passion of the Christ was anti-Semitic with the words: "News bulletin: you did kill Jesus!"[43] Sorbo later stated he could have rephrased his statements, but defended his stance.[44]

Facebook removed him from the platform during the COVID-19 pandemic claiming "We removed Kevin Sorbo's page for repeatedly sharing debunked claims about the coronavirus or vaccines." Sorbo responded that he posts things that doctors say and that Facebook had been shadow banning him for a year prior. He stated: "I [would have been] more than happy to take them [down], whatever offensive posts that Facebook deemed that I should not be posting, So, I question their statements… that they gave me."[45][46][better source needed]

After Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election, Sorbo repeatedly made remarks defending Trump's claims of election fraud.[47][48] Although he initially supported the protestors as loyal defenders of Trump and enjoined them to respect the police, Sorbo subsequently backtracked and blamed the violence on antifa.[49] This led to a widely reported Twitter exchange between him and his former co-star Lucy Lawless, who have exchanged conflicting views on personal and political matters throughout the past 20 years.[50][51][52][53] According to The Mary Sue, apart from audiences of his Christian films, Sorbo's relevance today is otherwise limited to those who follow his political commentary on Twitter.[54]

In 2022, Sorbo was a featured speaker at the Conservative Political Action Conference. He wore a suit lined with his own tweets.[55][56] In 2023, Sorbo published a children's book entitled The Test of Lionhood, which explores the theme of masculinity from a Christian perspective for young boys,[57] as part of a larger fight in defense of the virtues of masculinity, which he says are being eroded in Hollywood and in society at large.[58][59]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1993 Slaughter of the Innocents John Willison
1997 Kull the Conqueror Kull
2004 Clipping Adam Father Dan
2007 Walking Tall: The Payback Nick Prescott Direct-to-video
Walking Tall: Lone Justice
2008 Meet the Spartans Captain
Prairie Fever Preston Biggs Direct-to-video
An American Carol George Mulrooney
2009 Fire from Below Jake Denning
Bitch Slap Mr. Phoenix
2010 What If... Ben Walker
Wog Boy 2: Kings of Mykonos Pierluigi
Tales of an Ancient Empire Aedan
Pool Boy: Drowning Out the Fury Sal Bando
Paradox Sean Nault
2011 Soul Surfer Holt Blanchard
Julia X The Stranger
Coffin
2012 Abel's Field Abel Executive producer[60][61]
Black Box James
Sorority Party Massacre Captain Dan Fanning
FDR: American Badass! Abraham Lincoln
2013 Paranormal Movie Security Guy
Storm Rider Sam Fielding
Alone for Christmas Quentin Direct-to-video
2014 One Shot Commander Gibson
Alongside Night Dr. Martin Vreeland Executive producer
Survivor Captain Hunter
The Black Rider: Revelation Road Honcho
Coffee Shop Produzent
God's Not Dead Professor Jeffrey Radisson
Mythica: A Quest for Heroes Gojun Pye
2015 Confessions of a Prodigal Son Father
The Sparrows: Nesting Pastor Dave
Single in South Beach Sam
Hope Bridge Pastor
Mythica: The Darkspore Gojun Pye
One More Round Billy Jack Taylor
Gallows Road Frank
Mythica: The Necromancer Gojun Pye
2016 Caged No More Richard / Jack
Forgiven Lieutenant Morgan
Mythica: The Iron Crown Gojun Pye
Rodeo Girl Duke Williams[62]
Mythica: The Godslayer Gojun Pye
Joseph & Mary Joseph
Spirit of the Game Parley Condie
2017 Let There Be Light Dr. Sol Harkins Director
2018 Bernie the Dolphin Winston Mills
2019 The Reliant [63]
Miracle in East Texas Doc Boyd Director, wide release in 2023[64]
Bernie the Dolphin 2 Winston Mills
2020 The Penitent Thief King Herod[65]
Against the tide Himself
2021 The Girl Who Believes in Miracles Dr. David Riley
Trail Blazers Ethan Post-production
2023 Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist Rayford Steele Director
Alien Storm President of the U.S.
2024 The Firing Squad Pastor Lynbrook
Reagan Reverend Cleaver [66]
Until the Last Promise Pastor Thomas
Devil's Knight Guard Captain Baldur
The Last Redemption Lord Roland Producer

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1986 Santa Barbara Lars 1 episode
1988 1st & Ten Barry Episode: "...The Clock Runs Out"
1992 Cheers Uncredited Episode: "License to Hill"
Condition: Critical Dr. Thaddeus Kocinski Television film
1993 Murder, She Wrote Michael Burke Episode: "A Virtual Murder"
The Commish Mark Episode: "Dying Affection"
1994 Hercules and the Amazon Women Hercules Television film
Hercules and the Lost Kingdom
Hercules and the Circle of Fire
Hercules in the Underworld
Hercules in the Maze of the Minotaur
1995–1999 Hercules: The Legendary Journeys 111 episodes; also Director for episodes #2.17 & #3.20
1995 Cybill Rick Episode: "The Last Temptation of Cybill"
1995–2000 Xena: Warrior Princess Hercules 2 episodes
1998 Hercules and Xena – The Animated Movie: The Battle for Mount Olympus Voice
1999 Just Shoot Me! Scott Episode: "An Axe to Grind"
2000–2005 Andromeda Captain Dylan Hunt 110 episodes; executive producer
2001 Dharma & Greg Charlie 4 episodes
2003 According to Jim Darryl Buckner Episode: "The Pass"
2004 Hope & Faith Kenny Episode: "Mismatch"
2005 Love, Inc. Father John Episode: "Amen"
2006 Two and a Half Men Andy Episode: "Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Burro"
Last Chance Café Chance Coulter Television film
2006–2007 The O.C. Frank Atwood 7 episodes
2007 Avenging Angel Preacher Television film
Psych Byrd Tatums Episode: "Bounty Hunters!"
Something Beneath Father Douglas Middleton Television film
2008 Never Cry Werewolf Redd Tucker
The Middleman 1969 middleman / Guy Goddard Episode: "The Obsolescent Cryogenic Meltdown"
2009 Gary Unmarried Larry "Seven"
Lightning Strikes Ted Bradly Television film
2009–2010 The Super Hero Squad Show Ka-Zar Voice, 2 episodes
2009 Wolf Canyon Rick / Sheriff Wolf Television film; also executive producer
2010 Hawaii Five-0 Carlton Bass Episode: "Ko'olauloa"
The Santa Suit Drake Hunter / Santa Claus Television film
2011 Flesh Wounds Lt. Tyler
The Guild Himself Episode: "Social Traumas"
2012 Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 Episode: "The Wedding"
Key & Peele Brad Episode #2.6[67]
Christmas Angel Dr. Nathan Davis Television film
The Eric André Show Himself Episode: "The Eric André New Year's Eve Spooktacular"
2013 Shadow on the Mesa Ray Eastman Television film
2017 Supergirl Lar Gand 3 episodes

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1997 Mortal Kombat 4 Reiko, Quan Chi Voice
2009 The Conduit Prometheus
2010 God of War III Hercules
2012 Skylanders: Giants Crusher
2013 Skylanders: Swap Force
Cloudberry Kingdom Bob
2014 Skylanders: Trap Team Crusher
2015 Smite Hercules (Retro Skin)
Skylanders: SuperChargers Crusher
2016 Skylanders: Imaginators

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Kevin Sorbo". TV Guide. Archived from the original on April 10, 2015. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  2. ^ "Once a kid... always a kid". KSJAA - Kevin Sorbo bio 1958-77. Russia: narod.ru. Archived from the original on December 16, 2005. Retrieved January 28, 2008.
  3. ^ Vivaldo, Josephine (March 8, 2011). "Kevin Sorbo – Christian Hercules in Hollywood". Christian Post. Archived from the original on October 28, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  4. ^ "Kevin Sorbo to share story, answer questions at Westonka Historical Society fundraiser". Laker Pioneer. July 23, 2015. Archived from the original on May 5, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  5. ^ "About | Kevin Sorbo". www.kevinsorbo.net. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  6. ^ Mendoza, N.F. (November 6, 1994). "With an Eye On: Kevin Sorbo's Hercules is strong stuff but not exactly his serious side". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  7. ^ "Filed Away (Features)". The Mirror. London, England. September 29, 1997. Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2018. Hercules hunk Kevin Sorbo has revealed that he nearly played Fox Mulder in The X Files. The 6ft 3in muscleman was beaten to the role by 5ft 7in David Duchovny after the two auditioned for creator Chris Carter.
  8. ^ Yamato, Jen (September 28, 2011). "Fantastic Fest: Kevin Sorbo on the Twisted Julia X 3D, Christian Films, and Hollywood Snobbery". Movieline. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2018. You were previously up to play roles like Superman and Mulder in The X-Files before your Hercules days.
  9. ^ Garcia, Frank; Phillips, Mark (2013). Science Fiction Television Series, 1990–2004: Histories, Casts and Credits for 58 Shows. McFarland. p. 370. ISBN 9780786491834. Archived from the original on May 5, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2018 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ "Winston-Salem Journal". August 29, 1997. Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2018. People make too big a deal out of me getting the Agent Mulder role in that, he said with a laugh. I got in to read twice for that part. Nowhere near getting it. How would he be different if I played him? Mulder would be taller.
  11. ^ Carter, Brooke (January 23, 2017). "What Happened to Kevin Sorbo – News & Updates". Gazette Review. Archived from the original on June 20, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  12. ^ MENDOZA, N. F. (November 6, 1994). "WITH AN EYE ON ... : Kevin Sorbo's Hercules is strong stuff but not exactly his serious side". Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2016 – via LA Times.
  13. ^ "Kevin Sorbo", The sci-fi world (interview), archived from the original on June 25, 2018, retrieved November 2, 2017
  14. ^ Lenburg, Jeff (2009). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons (3rd ed.). New York: Checkmark Books. p. 317. ISBN 978-0-8160-6600-1.
  15. ^ "Entertainment", The Los Angeles times, November 27, 1999, archived from the original on December 10, 2015, retrieved November 2, 2017.
  16. ^ Chestang, Raphael (October 17, 2011). "Kevin Sorbo Reveals Near-Death Experience". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  17. ^ "Kull the Conqueror (1997)". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 11, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  18. ^ "Weekend Box Office Chart for January 25th, 2008". The Numbers. January 25, 2008. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  19. ^ "Meet the Spartans". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  20. ^ "The Conduit Gets Hollywood Voice Talent". cinema blend. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  21. ^ Conditt, Jessica (October 3, 2012). "Kevin Sorbo, Sam Sorbo, Martin Olson star in Cloudberry Kingdom". Joystiq. Archived from the original on January 31, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  22. ^ "'God's Not Dead' Actor Says Hollywood Is 'Waking Up' to Christian Films". christianpost.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  23. ^ "God's Not Dead (2014)". Box Office Mojo. Amazon.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  24. ^ Farber, Stephen (March 21, 2014). "God's Not Dead: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 25, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
  25. ^ St. James, Emily Todd (March 24, 2014). "God's Not Dead is a mess even by Christian film standards". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on April 1, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
  26. ^ Bonfiglio, Nahila (June 21, 2019). "Kevin Sorbo accused of sexual harassment by former co-star Haley Webb". The Daily Dot. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  27. ^ "Kevin Sorbo accused of sexual harassment by former co-star Haley Webb". The A.V. Club. June 22, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  28. ^ Johnson, Blanche (October 26, 2017). "Kevin Sorbo opens up about new film 'Let There Be Light': 'The world has gotten more evil'". Fox News. Archived from the original on June 14, 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  29. ^ Piepenbring, Dan (November 4, 2017). "Sean Hannity and Kevin Sorbo's Let There Be Light Is Pious, Xenophobic Fun for the Whole Family".
  30. ^ "Review: Sean Hannity and Kevin Sorbo join forces in the Christian reckoning drama 'Let There be Light'". Los Angeles Times. October 26, 2017.
  31. ^ McCarty, India (April 25, 2022). "Kevin Sorbo Celebrates Upcoming Projects, Including REAGAN Biopic". Movieguide | The Family Guide to Movies & Entertainment. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  32. ^ Savitsky, Sasha (March 20, 2014). "Kevin Sorbo: Why is Hollywood so afraid of God?". Fox News. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  33. ^ Beck, Marilyn; Jenel Smith, Stacy (September 18, 2001). "'Family Ties' dad has new view of war". The San Francisco Examiner. p. C4. Retrieved August 9, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ Weisbrot, Robert (2004). Hercules: The Legendary Journeys: An Insider's Guide to the Continuing Adventures. Taylor Trade Publishing. p. 233. ISBN 1-58979-120-7.
  35. ^ Graham, Efrem (August 27, 2015). "Kevin Sorbo Uses Faith to Make 'World Fit for Kids'". cbn.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  36. ^ Papadatos, Markos (July 17, 2014). "'Hercules' star Kevin Sorbo talks acting career and charity work". Digital Journal. Archived from the original on July 21, 2014. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  37. ^ "Hercules Actor Kevin Sorbo's Miracle Healing – CBN TV – Video". Cbn.com. Christian Broadcasting Network. Archived from the original on October 29, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  38. ^ Gostin, Nicki (October 19, 2011). "Kevin Sorbo's 'True Strength': 'Hercules' Star Says Strokes Were Blessings In Disguise". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  39. ^ Hammel, Sara (October 2, 2011). "Hercules Star Kevin Sorbo Reveals He's Had Several Strokes". People.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  40. ^ Sorbo, Kevin (October 11, 2011). "True Strength: My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal--and How Nearly Dying Saved My Life". Boston, Massachusetts: Da Capo Press. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  41. ^ "Actor Kevin Sorbo Receives Public Leadership in Neurology Award". www.newswise.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  42. ^ "2013 Inspiration Award - Kevin Sorbo". Invisible Disabilities® Association. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  43. ^ "7 worst right-wing moments of the week — Kevin Sorbo wants to remind Jews they "killed Jesus"". Salon. September 8, 2014. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  44. ^ PM, Brownie Marie September 12, 2014 | 11:10 (September 12, 2014). "Kevin Sorbo defends 'Jews killed Jesus' remarks". www.christiantoday.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  45. ^ Nolasco, Stephanie (February 19, 2021). "Kevin Sorbo speaks out after Facebook deleted his page: 'Freedom of speech has gone out the window'". FOXBusiness. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  46. ^ McCarthy, Tyler (February 17, 2021). "Facebook responds to Kevin Sorbo's claims of censorship, alleging he violated coronavirus misinformation rules". Fox News. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  47. ^ D'Zurilla, Christie (January 8, 2021). "'Hercules' and 'Xena: Warrior Princess' throw down over who instigated Capitol riots". LA Times. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  48. ^ McCarthy, Tyler (December 14, 2020). "Kevin Sorbo speaks out about Hollywood hypocrisy, 2020 election: 'It's not really over yet'". Fox Business. Fox. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  49. ^ "PRAY: KEVIN SORBO LIVE TWEETS CAPITOL RIOTS". MovieGuide. January 6, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  50. ^ Spencer, Samuel (January 8, 2021). "Lucy Lawless and Kevin Sorbo: A Timeline of Their Feud". Newsweek. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  51. ^ D'Zurilla, Christie. "'Hercules' and 'Xena: Warrior Princess' throw down over who instigated Capitol riots". LA Times. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  52. ^ Nolan, Emma (October 27, 2021). "Lucy Lawless Explains Why She Called Out 'Chicken' Kevin Sorbo". Newsweek. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  53. ^ Mason, Jessica (January 8, 2021). "Lucy Lawless Destroys Kevin Sorbo on Twitter". The Mary Sue. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  54. ^ Mason, Jessica (November 10, 2020). "Pro-Trump Kevin Sorbo Mocked on Twitter for Election Result Denial". The Mary Sue. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  55. ^ Lemongello, Steven (February 22, 2022). "They're back. CPAC draws Trump, De Santis to Orlando again for more political drama". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  56. ^ Monacelli, Steven (February 28, 2022). "Candace Owens Is Mad Girls Aren't Being Taught to Make Their Future Husbands a Sandwich -- and 13 Other Crazy CPAC Moments You Missed". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  57. ^ Alcindor, Nicole; Reporter, C. P. (September 25, 2023). "Kevin Sorbo writes new children's book to expose dangers of 'woke gender confusion'". The Christian Post. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  58. ^ Jaenchen, Lillie (September 28, 2023). "Kevin Sorbo's New Book Teaches Boys About Masculinity". Movieguide | The Family Guide to Movies & Entertainment. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  59. ^ Sorbo, Kevin (September 16, 2023). "Let's make Hollywood manly again". Fox News. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  60. ^ Abel's Field (DVD). 2012. Event occurs at Closing credits.
  61. ^ Rolfe, Donna. "Abel's Field – Review". Dove Family Foundation. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  62. ^ "Local OHS Grad Produces Hollywood Feature Film". Brian Harrington. Archived from the original on December 31, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  63. ^ Nolasco, Stephanie (October 23, 2019). "Kevin Sorbo defends faith-based action film 'The Reliant,' says 'Hollywood doesn't really owe me anything'". Fox News. Archived from the original on November 3, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  64. ^ "Hollywood actor/director teams up with local filmmaker". KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. January 17, 2020. Archived from the original on January 18, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  65. ^ "The Penitent Thief". IMDb.
  66. ^ "Dennis Quaid Starrer 'Reagan' Strikes North American Deal With Newly Launched ShowBiz Direct". Deadline Hollywood. March 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  67. ^ ""Key and Peele" Episode #2.6 (TV Episode 2012)". IMDb. Archived from the original on February 4, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
[edit]