Kevin Sorbo debuted as an international TV star in 1994 when he was cast as lead of “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.” In addition to his on-screen appearances and charity work, Sorbo also produces feature films through Sorbo Studios, which he founded with his wife Sam. His films breathe traditional values and uplifting content back into the fabric of American culture.
I had the good fortune to be granted some time with Sorbo last month to discuss some of his past and upcoming projects.
Michael Clark: I have to say, in the three decades I’ve been interviewing people, this is the first time I’ve done so on Election Day.
Kevin Sorbo: Yet here we are. As soon as I’m done here I’m flying to Mar-a-Lago to watch the election returns with President Trump.
Clark: If I understand correctly, “He Rules the World” is based on a previous concept album by Peter Emerson.
Sorbo: That’s correct.
Actor, producer, and filmmaker Kevin Sorbo steps outside Hollywood to make faith-based films. IMDb Moviebase
Clark: How did it gestate into a stage musical?
Sorbo: They got hold of me to be a producer and was then asked to narrate it as well. The musical will run from December 11 to 14 at the Hippodrome in Waco, Texas. You can find out more by going to HeRulesTheWorld.com. It mixes live performances with Rock & Roll and animation and tells the story of the birth of Jesus in a way you might not expect. We wanted to remind people what Christmas is all about.
Clark: For people unable to make the trip to Waco, will it be available in theaters, streaming, or on home video?Sorbo: Yes. The performances will be filmed, and the show will eventually be available to stream.
Clark: What I get from this production is that it resembles both “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Godspell.” Are those fair comparisons?
Sorbo: That’s funny; I’ve said the same thing to people when describing what we’re doing. I would really love to do a remake of “Jesus Christ Superstar” because the original production [from 1971] is so bad and is so influenced by the “free love” hippie movement of the time. The soundtrack, however, is great. If you’ve got $80 million, I’ll get started on the remake.
Sorbo in 2020 at an event hosted by Turning Point USA. Gage Skidmore/CC BY-SA 2.0
Clark: Why do you think there has been a rebirth or renewed interested in “faith and family” entertainment?
Sorbo: Because the world is in trouble. There’s so much anger and hate and violence and cancel culture; it’s insane. I think people are looking for a new direction, hope, and redemption. It also helps that this newer stuff has really high production values along with well-written stories and great acting.
Clark: Did you leave Hollywood, or did Hollywood leave you?
Sorbo: I would say it was mutual. About 10 years ago, my manager and agent told me they couldn’t represent me anymore because of what I was posting [on social media], to which I replied, “You mean the truth?”
Hollywood is full of hypocrites. According to an unnamed Disney executive who didn’t know they were being recorded at the time, he said that right now the studios don’t want to hire any straight white men. The people “in closets” now aren’t gay people; they’re conservatives and people of faith. That’s when my wife and I started Sorbo Studios and I’ve never been busier.
Sam Sorbo and Kevin Sorbo attend the 34th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner in 2019. Mike Coppola/Getty Images
I’ve got three movies and three documentaries currently in post production and I leave for Memphis next week to start shooting another movie. They [Hollywood] don’t call me anymore for TV or big budget movies, which is fine. I’m still making a living and putting out movies with a positive message.
Clark: I saw on your website that you are partnered with Patriot Mobile, as are a number of other conservative-minded personalities. Why is that and why should people use Patriot as a cell phone service provider?
Sorbo: The coverage is just as good as the other providers, and it costs less. Patriot takes a portion of its profits and donates it to startup faith-based businesses.
Clark: Also on your website is “Rise Up Con.” What is that?
Sorbo: I used to do Comic-Con all the time because of my work on “Hercules” and “Andromeda,” but no more because I’m conservative. I was approached by someone to start a “Faith Con” to which I said yes; the first one was this year in Memphis, Tennessee. The one in 2025 will be down the road a bit in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It’s close to Dollywood and shopping, and we’ll also be doing a charity golf event.
"Rise Up Con" is a faith-based riff on popular Comic-Con events. Courtesy of Rise Up Con
Clark: You devoted a relatively rather long chunk of your early career [five years] to playing Hercules on TV. Were you ever worried you might get typecast?
Sorbo: Not at all. As soon as “Hercules” wrapped, I began work on the [sci-fi] series “Andromeda,” which ran for six years and was nothing like “Hercules.” Right after that, I shot a pilot for an ABC sitcom (“Bobby Cannon”) that was very funny and tested number one with audiences, but for some reason wasn’t picked up. That show was planned to run eight seasons.
Since then I’ve done a number of very different things—Westerns, comedies, and, of course, faith-based movies. It’s been a great ride for me. I’ve never felt pigeonholed or stereotyped.
Kevin Sorbo played Hercules for over five seasons in the popular series. Public Domain
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