Actor and comedian Tim Allen revealed Thursday that Erika Kirk’s words of faith at her husband’s memorial service moved him to forgive the man who killed his father more than six decades ago.
Allen shared his message on X after hearing Erika Kirk’s stunning decision to forgive Tyler Robinson, the suspect charged in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Speaking before thousands at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Erika said forgiveness was what her husband would have chosen.
“When Erika Kirk spoke the words on the man who killed her husband: ‘That man … that young man … I forgive him.’ That moment deeply affected me,” Allen wrote.
For Allen, the words opened a door he had kept locked for years. “I have struggled for over 60 years to forgive the man who killed my Dad,” he admitted.
Then, in front of his millions of followers, Allen typed out his own act of release: “I will say those words now as I type: ‘I forgive the man who killed my father.’ Peace be with you all.”
Allen’s father, Gerald M. Dick, was killed in November 1964 when a drunk driver swerved into a median on I-70 in Colorado and collided with the family’s car as they returned from a football game. Allen, just 11 years old, lost his father instantly.
“(He) broke his neck and died in my mom’s lap right there,” Allen recalled in a 2006 episode of Inside the Actors Studio.
Allen’s post quickly went viral, drawing 7.6 million views despite his account having only 1.1 million followers — proof, he said, that forgiveness and faith still strike chords that echo far beyond the moment.
When Erika Kirk spoke the words on the man who killed her husband: “That man… that young man… I forgive him.” That moment deeply affected me. I have struggled for over 60 years to forgive the man who killed my Dad. I will say those words now as I type: “ I forgive the man who…
— Tim Allen (@ofctimallen) September 25, 2025
