This Actor’s Chance Encounter With Billy Graham Gave Him ‘Goosebumps’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Actor Kevin Sorbo is recalling his faith journey — including a chance encounter with the Rev. Billy Graham.
“In later teenage years in my 20s, I did a lot of stupid things,” the HERCULES actor told CBN News. “But I never went away from my faith. I never had that crisis where I didn’t believe in God or believe in Jesus.”
He explained that his parents were “very devoted Christians” and passed that dedication to faith along to him.
Another factor that impacted his faith? A chance meeting with Billy Graham.
“When I was 13, we took a field trip to the St. Paul fairgrounds with the Rev. Billy Graham,” Sorbo recalled. “It was a hot August night. There [were], like, 300,000 people there outside. It was amazing — full moon was out and Billy Graham’s, like, incredible, even though he’s a mile away on the stage.”
Later that night, Sorbo was sitting and talking with some people when he felt a hand on his head.
“I turned around, and it was Billy Graham,” Sorbo said. “And he had his security guys with him, of course. But his head was perfectly behind the full moon. It’s like these rays coming out of his head. And I…got goosebumps.”
Sorbo has since made it his mission to share his faith through his work as an actor, appearing in movies like GOD’S NOT DEAD and LET THERE BE LIGHT.
“Hollywood booted me out about ten years ago,” the actor told Christianity Premier Magazine. “My agent and manager said: ‘We can’t work with you anymore because of your conservative and Christian views.’ I said: ‘But you’re the industry screaming for tolerance!’ Hollywood are hypocrites. It’s all a one-way street with these guys.”
He also discussed the growing popularity of movies and shows with Christian stories.
“Well, I know that Christian movies are getting more and more popular. The production value on them is great. The writing is great,” Sorbo explained. “There’s a huge niche market out there that people aren’t paying attention to…There’s 80 [million] homes out there that want the kind of movies we make. So we’re gonna keep making things.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Sorbo’s efforts to make faith-based content:
Determined to create content that aligned with his values, Sorbo formed Sorbo Studios. This move allowed him to produce family-friendly and faith-based films, carving out a niche in a competitive industry. His success with movies like GOD’S NOT DEAD demonstrated the demand for such content and solidified his position as a leading figure in faith-based entertainment.
Sorbo’s work extends beyond acting and producing. He is a vocal advocate for ideological diversity in Hollywood, challenging the industry’s often one-sided narrative. “It’s amazing to me… movies and television will influence our youth,” he notes, underscoring the impact of media on society.
Through Sorbo Studios, he continues to produce films that resonate with audiences seeking wholesome and inspiring content. His journey from a small town in Minnesota to Hollywood success serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring actors and filmmakers. Sorbo’s story is a reminder that with faith, determination, and a clear vision, anything is possible.
One of Sorbo’s most recent acting credits is in REAGAN, the biopic about the former president. Sorbo plays Reagan’s pastor, Ben Cleaver.
“It most certainly is something very special,” he said of his part in REAGAN in an interview with Hollywood In Toto. “I am old enough to remember and miss Ronald Reagan — we miss his kind of leadership, and since I hold President Reagan in high esteem, it was a great honor to be cast in the film.”
Sorbo continued, “It’s a rare opportunity for any actor to be part of telling this story and to play a character that was so crucial in the formation of his character is an honor. In many ways, his pastor was a father to him, and Reagan almost married his daughter. It’s a small role, but it’s one of the most meaningful experiences of my career.”
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