Has Being a Strong Conservative in Hollywood Cost Kevin Sorbo Most of His Friends?
Kevin Sorbo, a well-known actor in Hollywood, has faced criticism for his conservative views. Some, like Lucy Lawless, have even accused him of being a racist or implying such sentiments. This raises the question: does holding conservative beliefs impact one's relationships and possibly their career in the entertainment industry?
It's important to note that while the impact of conservative beliefs on Sorbo's career is debatable, other Hollywood figures with similar standing have faced similar challenges.
Historically, strong conservative personalities in Hollywood have included figures such as John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Clint Eastwood, and Bruce Willis. While these actors held conservative views, they seemed to have navigated their careers successfully. They were, however, higher up on the acting food chain than Sorbo, which could complicate comparisons.
Conversely, there is a notable exception in the form of open and sustained criticism of Israel. For example, Vanessa Redgrave faced backlash due to her strong support for Palestinian rights and criticism of Israel. This kind of political stance can severely impact a Hollywood career, as it did for Redgrave.
Sorbo's Health and Career Transition
Kevin Sorbo's career trajectory was perhaps affected more by his health than his conservative views. In 2001, he suffered an aneurysm leading to multiple strokes. After this, Sorbo had to scale back his availability for filming and eventually retired from acting completely. Despite these health challenges, Sorbo's career was generally considered successful, and it is debatable whether his conservative beliefs played a significant role in its diminishment.
One of Sorbo's notable works was the Hercules series, which later inspired Lucy Lawless's Xena series. Sorbo's staunchly conservative Christian beliefs were evident in his original production. He was upset that the spinoff Xena adopted a more violent, and what Sorbo saw as a more liberal, direction. This change in tone, along with the addition of a consistent lesbian theme, led to a negative shift in Sorbo's relationship with Lawless, who came to view him more negatively.
More broadly, the article suggests that it is more about the way individuals express their conservative views, rather than the views themselves, that might affect their professional and personal relationships in Hollywood. Sorbo's behavior and attitudes—often described as 'obnoxious'—seemed to alienate those who disagreed with him, leading to negative relationships and ultimately, a retirement from acting.
Much of the controversy surrounding Sorbo can be attributed to his education at Liberty University, a conservative Christian institution. While his beliefs and education may have influenced his conservative views, it is his actions and behaviors that have had a more direct impact on his professional life.
Conclusion
Whether Kevin Sorbo's conservative views cost him most of his friends or impacted his career more significantly than most others, it is clear that views and behaviors in Hollywood can have substantial effects. While figures like John Wayne and Gary Cooper navigated their careers successfully despite similar views, the impact of open criticism of Israel, as seen in the career of Vanessa Redgrave, serves as a stark reminder of the risks of such stances.
The journey of Kevin Sorbo serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of maintaining professional behaviors and attitudes, even when holding strong personal beliefs. Whether one agrees with Sorbo's views or not, it is his interactions and behaviors that have had a more marked impact on his career and personal relationships.