An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Kevin Sorbo making thumbs-down gestures at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, Image 2 shows Governor Gavin Newsom speaking at an event about clean energy and electric veh
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Kevin Sorbo Dumps California for Good: 'I'm Done' With Taxes, Traffic, and Hollywood Negativity

The 'Hercules' star is walking away from the Golden State while calling on right-leaning actors to stop hiding their politics.

By Dee AlvarezPublished Updated 2 min read

Kevin Sorbo is packing his bags and cutting ties with California once and for all. The former 1990s action star has officially checked out of the Golden State, pointing to a mix of steep tax rates, endless highway gridlock, and a surrounding culture of negativity as his motivation for pulling the plug. The actor, widely recognized for his titular role in *Hercules: The Legendary Journeys*, made it clear that his patience with West Coast living has completely run out. In recent statements, the open conservative figure expressed zero nostalgia for the entertainment hub, letting both supporters and critics know that he is finished putting up with the state's daily headaches.

Why did Kevin Sorbo leave California?

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Kevin Sorbo making thumbs-down gestures at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, Image 2 shows Governor Gavin Newsom speaking at an event about clean energy and electric veh
An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Kevin Sorbo making thumbs-down gestures at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, Image 2 shows Governor Gavin Newsom speaking at an event about clean energy and electric veh

According to recent reports, Sorbo’s decision to move stems from a long-building frustration with local governance, economic pressures, and the general social environment in Southern California. The performer pointed directly to heavy tax burdens and brutal traffic congestion as prime drivers that made remaining in the area unworkable for his household. Beyond fiscal complaints and transport issues, the veteran actor highlighted what he perceives as a hostile atmosphere for conservative figures. Sorbo has consistently maintained over the years that his personal traditional views created friction within the Hollywood ecosystem, ultimately reshaping his career trajectory toward independent film production.

Kevin Sorbo making thumbs-down gestures at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.
Sorbo attends Moods of Norway at Studio on Main with The PhotoFund and Animal Avengers on Jan. 22, 2011 in Park City, Utah.

What did Kevin Sorbo say to conservative actors in Hollywood?

Governor Gavin Newsom speaking at an event about clean energy and electric vehicles.
Governor Gavin Newsom speaking at an event about clean energy and electric vehicles.

Sorbo didn't just announce his personal departure—he also delivered a direct challenge to his industry peers. The actor called on right-leaning performers currently working in show business to stop masking their political affiliations out of fear. Reflecting on his own experiences as an openly conservative actor navigating the business, Sorbo encouraged fellow stars to step into the spotlight and stop keeping their values under wraps. He urged conservative creatives to stop hiding away, arguing that silence only reinforces the political monoculture currently dominating the film and television sectors. With his California era officially in the rearview mirror, Sorbo joins a growing list of recognizable Hollywood figures choosing to exit the state in search of lower tax rates and more compatible social environments.

The photos · 4

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Kevin Sorbo making thumbs-down gestures at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, Image 2 shows Governor Gavin Newsom speaking at an event about clean energy and electric veh
Sorbo attends Moods of Norway at Studio on Main with The PhotoFund and Animal Avengers on Jan. 22, 2011 in Park City, Utah.
Governor Gavin Newsom speaking at an event about clean energy and electric vehicles.
Sorbo took aim at the entertainment industry, which he believes has punished people for holding certain political or religious views.

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People also ask

Why is Kevin Sorbo leaving California?
Kevin Sorbo stated he is leaving California due to high taxes, heavy traffic jams, and what he views as a pervasive atmosphere of negativity.
What did Kevin Sorbo say about conservative actors in Hollywood?
Sorbo urged conservative performers to stop hiding their political beliefs out of fear and to stand up publicly in the entertainment industry.