Kevin Sorbo Reveals Near-Death Experience

Kevin Sorbo became famous playing half man, half god Hercules, but at the height of his career, Kevin suffered a series of secret strokes that nearly ended the action star's life.

Unbeknownst to his fans, Kevin suffered three strokes in 1997 that were set off by an aneurysm that occurred following a trip to the chiropractor. In his new book, True Strength: My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal -- and How Nearly Dying Saved My Life, Kevin describes in detail his near-death experience and the rehab he undertook to get healthy again.

"I was lying there on the table and I heard a voice say, 'Don't let [the chiropractor] crack your neck,'" said Kevin, who never liked getting his neck cracked and usually refused the service. Kevin doesn't blame his chiropractor for his aneurysm but that day the chiropractor happened to crack his neck without warning.

"Within minutes the first two strokes happened," Kevin told ET's Samantha Harris.

It took three months of rehab before Kevin was able to return to his hit series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. The actor had to teach himself basic things like keeping his balance.

"I basically had to relearn how to walk and run and get my brain to function again," said Kevin.

One of the aftereffects from the tragic episode, 10-percent loss of vision, still lingers to this day.

Click the video to hear about Kevin's emotional first day back on set after his medical emergency. Kevin's book True Strength is in stores now.