Tribute to Kevin Sorbo fan Charline Denis… We love and will miss you…

Hello, friends, I write to you today with great sadness.

Yesterday, October 13, 2013, our beloved Sorbo Sister Charline Denis passed away. Although I didn’t know her personally, I occasionally corresponded with her via email and knew her as a loyal Kevin Sorbo fan, one of our fine Sorbo artists, and a supporter of and contributor to this blog and the Kevin Sorbo Brazilian Forum.

We will miss her, and offer our sincerest condolences and prayers to her family and friends.

Mara from Brazil met Charline at the October, 2009 FACTS Convention in Gent, Belgium, and wrote this beautiful tribute:

I met Charline through Teresa from Spain. Charline was a huge fan of Kevin Sorbo, and so Teresa introduced her to the Brazilian forum…

Charline – when she was able to – would write something nice on the forum or send an artwork or a picture or even make some lovely clips about Kevin’s job, like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNkxw2wNdwE

She was suffering from an illness that kept her in a wheelchair, and meeting Kevin Sorbo was a huge dream for her… and she made it come true in 2009, as Jan wrote on her great blog: https://sorbowriter.wordpress.com/2009/12/06/more-facts-coverage/

She could not meet Kevin again, as she would like, but I’m sure Kevin and Hercules helped to make her life less sad and eased her pain along her sickness.

Yesterday, the pain was over, and now Charline is at peace. Coucou, ma belle!

(Video and Kevin Sorbo photos by Teresa; artwork by Mara, Evelyne, Malena and Vanessa)

Kevin Sorbo receives fan-made Andromeda cross-stitch

Kevin’s fans are so creative in many ways from painting and computer art to writing and crafts. This lovely story is from Pilar in Spain, who sent it quite a while ago, and who made an amazing cross-stitch for Kevin. My humblest apologies for posting it so late, Pilar. Enjoy!

In January, 2011, my good friend, Teresa, asked me to make an artwork by using the cross-stitch so she could offer it to her idol, Kevin Sorbo, at the Film Festival in Estepona, Spain, in September, 2011.

She asked me to do it by using the ship of Kevin’s (television) series, “Andromeda,” so, I did it, and wrote “Sorbo/Hunt” on it.

Please take a look at Kevin holding it:

http://recuerdosyregalosenpuntodecruz.blogspot.com/2011/09/ampliando-horizontes.html

For me it feels so good being able to show you the photo right now. I’m very grateful to Teresa for it – it gives me great pleasure looking at my artwork in its owner’s hands.

Here’s Pilar’s beautiful work:

Kevin Sorbo took his pants down and got the house roaring with laughter

Our multi-talented friend, Hercules Hunt, was lucky enough to see, photograph and subsequently meet Kevin during the 2011 Toronto Sci-Fi Fan Expo and the accompanying “Kevin Sorbo Garbage Weekend” held at Toronto’s Comedy Bar. Clearly, he is equally as versatile at improvisation as he is at everything else he tries. Way to go, Kevin, and many thanks, HH!

Here are her awesome report and photos:

My weekend with Kevin Sorbo, AKA Hercules! By Hercules Hunt

I had often thought about how nice it would be to meet Kevin Sorbo, AKA Hercules in HTLJ… Finally in August of 2011, he was coming to my town! He not only was coming to the Fan Expo, Canada’s biggest Sci-Fi expo, but he was also appearing at a small comedy store downtown in my old neighbourhood!

I bought tickets via phone and Credit Card a few months prior to this evening. The comedy troupe called the show, “The Kevin Sorbo Garbage Weekend,” and although I tried to get one of these posters, I tried to no avail. I, however, did manage to do one better: sit in the front row and was about 8 feet away from the super-small stage and right in front of Kevin Sorbo the entire show! Was this exciting or what?! I had my IPhone and my regular camera, which are two really good digital options under normal lighting whether or not I use (a) flash. However, because I was so, so close to the stage and the lights were right on top of Kevin, most of the 200+ pictures I got were overexposed! Yes, my ladies, there IS such a thing as being too close to Kevin Sorbo live!! I was lucky that most of my film on my IPhone got filmed properly, and we can enjoy these clips on my YouTube channel! I was there with a good friend of mine who managed one camera as I managed the other, so that is how I got film plus a few good pictures to share with all my friends!

Some highlights of the show were when Kevin took his pants down to reveal red plaid shorts that got the house roaring with laughter.

The house was totally packed and everyone was so excited to be there in such close proximity to such a well-known actor. I think I was the only one who took pictures though, oddly enough, or at least, the only one who has posted any online! Some of the skits were very funny and I got some unique pictures of Kevin in action!

Kevin was very gracious even as the comedy troupe guys ribbed him about being Hercules and also baited him about Xena. I will not go into this, but they weren’t all that nice to Kevin, but, he was a professional throughout.

The show lasted about two hours and the entire time was a blast!!

The next day is when I went to the Fan Expo to see Kevin in the autograph alley, and I was also going to see the “Lost Girl” cast, but was about 10 minutes too late! They had left for the day. Kevin was gracious yet again, and recognized me from the night before at the comedy show as I was sitting in the front row.

He took a picture with me at the table and thanked me for coming to see him last night and also at the Fan Expo! Nice experience and, oh, he is very, very handsome in person, even more so than on TV if that’s possible!

And that is my story about meeting Kevin Sorbo, so I hope you all enjoy the pictures as they are for you as well!

Peace,

Hercules Hunt

Please see more of her very cool vids here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/HerculesHunt?feature=watch

(Images courtesy of and copyright Hercules Hunt)

Would Kevin Sorbo shave his head? Glyn’s Estepona Con report Part 3

This is the final part of Glyn’s amazing report about Kevin’s appearance at the 12^th Costa del Sol International Science Fiction Film Festival in Estepona, Spain, last September 19-24, 2011, at which he received the “Unicorn of Honor” Award. Oh, man, wish I had been there!

Kevin departed Spain on September 24, and traveled to his awesome Annual Kevin Sorbo Celebrity Golf Tournament benefiting his foundation, A World Fit For Kids!, that occurred in scenic Napa, California, which I had the privilege to attend.

More about that later. For now, please enjoy Glyn’s last Estepona story.

Again, we all gathered in the foyer on the Thursday afternoon. This time Kevin was wearing his golfing gear: blue shirt, shorts and trainers. (Yes, his legs are nicely tanned – I know the stuff you want to know *wink*). The talk was taking place in a meeting room in reception where the film had been shown the previous day. There didn’t seem to be a rush for the front row, so me and Snoops got good seats – I was sitting right opposite Kevin’s chair. (He must’ve thought, “OH NO! Not her again!”).

The Spanish press was there doing some interviews with the Spanish-speaking fans, and as soon as they had finished, the talk started. Guess who asked the first question? *blush* *grin* I actually asked a few – I can’t remember which order I asked them in…

Q:  Would you have your head shaved for a part?

He said he’d have it cut short, and then said about the first season of “Andromeda” (that) his hair felt really short to him, but in hindsight it wasn’t. He got it shorter for later seasons because Dylan was a military guy and that’s how he’d wear it, but he really missed his long hair.

Q:  I know you like old movies, is there anyone from the past you would’ve liked to work with?

A:  Cary Grant or Paul Newman – then he paused, gave a big grin and said Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida. He talked about (his upcoming film) “Abel’s Field,” and said having all those tattoos made him feel really cool when he walked into the gym (he pointed at Snoops). I asked how long it took to put them on. Apparently, they just go on like kid’s transfers – just press the design onto the skin with water – so it took less than an hour and they lasted for about five days before they faded away.

Snoops asked if he had ever been injured?

Kevin recounted the time Michael Hurst nearly killed him while filming a fight scene in the Xena episode. (I’m sure you all know the story). He said he woke up in hospital with eight stitches. I asked if they shaved his head. He said yes, but he had plenty of hair to cover it up. Michael thought it was funny and gave him a bottle of Scotch – unfortunately, Kevin doesn’t like Scotch.

Someone else asked him who was his favourite actress to work with?

Without much hesitation he answered Kristy Swanson (“What If…”), saying what a joy she was. Then after a few seconds hesitation, grinned and said he really should have said his wife (laughter).

After his talk came the autograph session. Kevin laid out a collection of photos, and we all clustered around the table. I’d promised Alison (Aliykat) a photo as I know how much she adores the Sorbs, so I made a grab for a nice sexy one for her from his modelling days, and I got one of Herc for myself. Lindsey, who stood next to me, gave Kevin a copy of the club mag and some other items, and Anne gave him a lovely laminated poster of how much the club had raised for his charity. Kevin was very impressed with that and said he would put it on display at his golf tournament and get the celebs to sign it and perhaps they could auction if off and raise more money.

The OEKSFC had their autographs, then it was my turn. (Oh my, those baby blues again *grin*). I handed Ali’s photo over and explained it was for Alison whom he might know better as Alikat, and said she wished she could meet him (he said, “one day”) and that she was really excited to get something that he had touched. He then put his fingerprints ALL over the photo and kissed it. I handed my Herc pic over and spelled out my name: “G – L –Y…” Before I got to the “N,” he said he knew the name (!!) and said he remembered faces. (My scary face, judging by the photos, will probably give the poor guy nightmares for weeks!!!). I told him I was the one who posted cheeky jokes and that my pals say I’m a cheeky monkey… Then I said he was also a cheeky monkey judging by some of his jokes, and I gave him a little monkey pin badge. That made him laugh, and he said his daughter would probably steal that. He also said he had a good joke for me and that he’d post it on Friday, and that he has to get a friend to post stuff because he’s not so good with that side of things. (When I checked it out it was one of mine that I’d sent ages ago!!!! Haha!)

At that point I thought I’d hogged him long enough, so I sat down. Although there were not many people in attendance, it was very busy around that table (with) lots of people taking photos and videos. I don’t think a European Convention event would have been that relaxed.

As the queue was dwindling down, Snoops decided to get a photo signed. He chose a really nice one of Herc and Iolaus. When he said his name was Snoopy, Kevin hesitated and asked him to spell it (he’s probably never signed that name before) then said, “Oh, like the dog.” LOL. When Kevin asked why he’s got that nickname, I chimed in and said he has Snoopy eyes after a few beers. Kevin laughed at that.

After the autographs it was time for the photo session. When it came to my turn I made sure the photographer knew I wanted three different poses then I turned to Kevin and said, “Well, I like to get my money’s worth,” to which he laughed. The first one was a hug; for the second one I told him to put his head on my shoulder; and as I turned around for the third one Kevin gripped my shoulders (ooooo… such a FIRM grip,*swoon*), faced me towards the camera and  put his chin on top of my head.

Exit me – well-happy and slightly flustered *grin*.

Snoops was next in the queue. He told Kevin he wanted an “arms folded” shot (Hercules classic pose). Believe it or not, this got applause – not sure who was clapping, but I think some ladies appreciated it.

Once everyone had their photos it was nearly time for Kevin to go. The manager of the hotel came in for a photo and got Kevin to autograph the big poster of “Kull,” then it was all over. He waved his goodbyes and thanked everyone for coming and disappeared out of the door …*sigh*. The film, “Coffin,” was being shown to round off the afternoon.

Well, (all), that’s my report. Apart from meeting the Big Guy it was a pleasure and a joy to meet up with fellow fans of Kevin. You ladies rock!!!

Sorry if I’ve missed anything out, but I hope you enjoyed my report. Wish you could all have been there.

Kevin is everything you’ve heard about him and more: friendly, easy to talk to, funny… just a regular guy who you would like to have a beer with… Oh, and did I mention… gorgeous? *wink* *grin*

(Photos by Teresa)

My mate Kev! Glyn’s Kevin Sorbo Estepona Con report Part 2

Here is Part Two of Glyn’s report from the 12^th Costa del Sol International Science Fiction Film Festival in Estepona, Spain, last September 19-24, 2011, at which Kevin received the “Unicorn of Honor” Award. Enjoy!

Our little group of Sorbs Fans, Lindsey and her husband Pete, Heidi, Anne, Natalia and her husband Pavel (and) me and Snoopy (aka hubby Steve), gathered (at) reception at 8.00 pm to get cabs to the Convention Centre. We got there a bit early, and as there wasn’t very much to look at, me and Snoops went for a walk around while the rest of the gang found somewhere to sit down. As this place was a bit out of the town, there was not much to see apart from a SEAT dealer and a big supermarket, so we soon wandered back and hung around reception, thinking we might see the gang. Unbeknownst to us they had all taken seats in the auditorium.

At this point I had a cunning plan: There was only one door, so the Big Guy had to come that way. There was a flurry of camera clicks and much pushing and shoving and… sure enough… there he was. Looking uber cool in a black suit and blue and white striped shirt, he wandered up to the bar with his entourage to get a beer. A few people started getting autographs and asking him to pose for pictures, so, in true Glynnie fashion, I edged in and asked if I could have a photo to which he replied, “Go for it,”… which I did!!! *grin*

When I had my arm clamped around him he said, “Where am I looking?” meaning which camera. I vaguely pointed in hubby’s direction and said, “Him.” Snoops, bless him, took an extra few seconds because it seemed like I was standing there for ages, but in reality it was only a minute or so. I turned to say, “Thanks,” and Kevin reached past me to shake Snoops’ hand and said in an imitation of a British accent, “How you doin’, mate?” Snoops, being Joe Cool, replied, “I’m okay, Kev, how are you?” I think he must have recognised me (the mad blonde from lunch!!) and realised we were a couple and British. Anyhoo, we stayed in the bar (like I was going to move with an unrestricted view of Captain Dylan Hunt *grin*) until Kevin and his troupe moved into the auditorium.

We actually sat down on the front row about four seats along from Kev then realised that they were reserved seats for the officials. Doh! So, we scuttled to the next row back and I had a fabulous view of the back of his head. Childish, I know, staring at his neck but… hey ho!

They (the award organizers) played a very nice video montage from “Hercules,” “Andromeda,” and his films (everyone applauded at the clip of Hercules and Serena.. awwwwww) before introducing the Big Guy on stage. He graciously accepted his award and cracked a few jokes – notably about the music that accompanied the clip – he loved it and wanted it for his next movie. When they told him it was the theme from “Phantom of the Opera” he said (jokingly) he would have to steal it.

Someone else came on stage to show their film for the festival, but to be honest, we all trooped out after Kevin left the stage. Bet the guy on the stage was a bit miffed, but, hey — that’s showbiz.

Some people were snagging Kevin for photos, etc (although you could see by that time he was tired and really wanted to get back to the hotel). Me and Snoops stood to one side out of the way, but as he walked past he caught sight of hubby out of the corner of his eye, stopped, turned, held out his Unicorn Award and said to Snoops, “What do you think of this?” Needless to say, I never lived that down for the rest of the week with comments like, “My mate, Kev!” As you all know, Snoops is a big Kev/Herc fan (got the costume for charity events) and genuinely likes the guy – even more so now (that) he’s met him. (And) even though Kevin was on his way out, he still took the time to pose for a picture with the OEKSFC gals. Lindsey’s husband Pete was kept very busy and did an excellent job as official group photographer.

(Photos by Teresa)

No playing footsie with Kevin Sorbo… Glyn’s Estepona Con report Part 1

Hi, all, I’m still catching up with your great stories. This one is Part One of three installments by our joke-cracking pal Glyn in England, who reported about her attendance at the 12^th Costa del Sol International Science Fiction Film Festival in Estepona, Spain, last September 19-24, 2011, at which Kevin received the “Unicorn of Honor” Award. Many thanks, Glyn!

Okay, I’ll skip the bit about the fabulous hotel, description of the room, the size of the pools and go straight to Kevin… ‘Cos that’s what you (all) want to hear.

We’d already heard that Kevin had problems with his flight and that he would be a day late arriving at the hotel. The estimated time was 2.00 pm approx, so we, the gals from OEKSFC (Anne, Lindsey and Heidi) and myself, got ourselves settled to wait. We took a few pics to pass the time before we joined the other ladies who were waiting for him by the hotel entrance. The Spanish press was hovering around doing interviews, but all we could focus on was the arrival of that lanky frame.

A car pulled up – a few people got out and… there he was. Being a fair few inches above everyone else, you couldn’t really miss him. Wearing jeans, a baggy white sweat shirt and shades, he finally was there – in the flesh – a few feet away. When he took off his shades you could see how tired he was, but, being Kevin, he smiled, waved, and said, “Hi,” before he was directed to the desk to check in.

The next thing on his itinerary was to have a special meal with all of us in a sectioned-off part of the restaurant. We didn’t have too long to wait before he reappeared wearing a snazzy black shirt and accompanied by Pedro (the organiser), and like the Pied Piper he led us into the restaurant. No one was really sure what (to do) or where to go once we got there, so we all huddled in a group until Pedro called out our names one-by-one to get a hug off Kevin and take a seat.

I was the last name read out (at this point I had a slight panic attack in case I’d been missed off the list – silly me). Lindsey was in a bear hug; Kevin had his head over her shoulder and he looked up straight at me!!!! *swoon* He was probably just thinking how many more in the queue, but I’d seen that look on Herc’s face so many times and what did I do? Give a big grin and a “thumbs up” sign. Doh!!! (Not very cool, huh!).

I had my hug and took a seat – noticing that the seat opposite was empty. Kevin put his hand on the empty chair and said to Pedro, “Where do you want me?” and was told to split his time between the two tables. (It was two, long tables with four people on each side).

He sat down, looked straight at me (only because I was sitting opposite and probably looking like a startled rabbit at this point) and said something like, “Okay, where do we start?” So, I jumped in with the first question about how was his flight. Apparently, he missed the connection by five minutes (he actually saw the gate closing, but couldn’t get there in time), so he had to spend the night in a hotel.

I asked him if he caught up on Twitter to while away the time, but he said no, he’d been working on stuff and clearing up his computer. Lindsey asked if he’d eaten anything, and he said he’d had a ham and mushroom omelette on the plane, but he didn’t like mushrooms. At that point I really wanted to say, “Does that mean you’re not a fun guy (fungi)?” but he looked tired, so I didn’t want to irritate him at this stage with one of my corny jokes.

He did get asked a few questions, but please forgive me if I can’t remember everything that was said. I asked him was there anywhere in the world that he’d like to visit, and he said China – he’d like to run the Great Wall (think that might have been a joke) – and also Russia because it was so different. He was asked about his book and he said he’d just done the audio version which meant five hours in a room, which he found difficult. I said it must be hard talking to yourself for five hours, but at least it didn’t hurt his throat like the reading for Hercules in (the) “God of War” game. He replied he was told to do the Herc voice that way, but this was more like reading a bedtime story and you wouldn’t read out loud to someone for that length of time.

At that point the first course arrived, so he moved to the other table – I was relieved at that because I’m not sure I could’ve eaten anything with him sitting there. I forgot to mention (that) while our table was asking him questions, I knocked my fork on the floor (and) when I bent to pick it up I made a note of the fact (that) his feet were tucked under the chair… no chance of playing footsie then… (only joking). The waiter took if off me, so that meant I was left with no fork, so I pinched Kevin’s – to use… I didn’t steal it. Trust me, he never noticed.

One of the ladies passed her mobile phone to him to say a few words to her friend, Claudia, who couldn’t attend. I think he got a bit confused with the dangling phone charms on it because he held it upside down. Doh!! When he got it the right way up (and this is a memorable bit for me), he lowered his voice to a sexy growl and said, “Hello, Claudia, it’s Kevin,” and he looked straight into my eyes as he said it (just because when you’re on the mobile, you tend to look straight ahead… but, hey… I savoured the moment!!!). I think I might have melted into a huge pool of mush at this point. That voice – those eyes… oh, mama.

He laughed and joked with everyone at the table. He said he liked German beer and was looking forward to sampling a glass later. He spoke about conventions; “Andromeda” (he keeps in touch with Gordon, who is a great laugh and, by the sound of it, just like his character, Harper); how he didn’t have this easy growing up; he mentioned that Sam spoke six (I think it was) languages fluently, even Swedish, and that she chats away on the phone for ages (you could tell he was impressed with her). He said he’s not good with languages, but he excels in sport, so that makes up for it.

All too soon it came to an end and we had some time for a breather whilst Kevin was being interviewed in the lounge. I wandered out of the restaurant and bumped into my hubby who had spent a peaceful afternoon having a few beers and chilling out by the pool. Needless to say, I dragged him to the edge of the balcony to have a look down at Kevin being interviewed.

The next item on the agenda was to watch “What If…” (which was introduced by Kevin)… And that was our afternoon over with the main Award Ceremony taking place at the Convention Centre in the evening.

(Photos by Teresa)

Hot, hot, hot Kevin Sorbo in cool September last year

Our dear friend Anne from Germany, one of the Official European Kevin Sorbo Fan Club triumvirate, attended the 12^th Costa del Sol International Science Fiction Film Festival in Estepona, Spain, last September 19-24, at which Kevin received the “Unicorn of Honor” Award. She took some great photos and posted a report in German on her excellent Sorbo Dreams website.

In case you don’t read German, please try an internet translator to read her story. Or she kindly offered this brief, but heartfelt comment: “This was a dream holiday on a dream beach in a dream hotel with an absolute ‘Dream-man’… ” We totally agree!

Please enjoy some of her many beautiful Kevin photos. Danke, Anne!!

See her report here: http://www.sorbo-dreams.de/report_estepona.html

Please note that reproduction of these images is not permitted without the express consent of Sorbo Dreams.

(Photos by Anne)