Tim Allen says Erika Kirk inspired him to forgive the man who killed his father
Actor and comedian Tim Allen says conservative activist Charlie Kirk's widow Erika Kirk inspired him to forgive the man who killed his father in a drunk driving accident more than six decades ago.
Allen took to social media on Thursday afternoon, writing that his decision to forgive the man came after listening to Erika Kirk's speech at her husband's memorial service on Sunday.
"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 on X.
He continued, "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 killed my father.' Peace be with you all."
In her Sept. 21 speech, Erika Kirk shocked the audience, publicly forgiving her husband's alleged assailant, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, just 11 days after his fatal shooting.
"The answer to hate is not hate," Erika Kirk said.
Holding back tears, she added, "That young man, I forgive him."
Allen's father died after being hit by a drunk driver when Allen was 11 years old.
In an interview with ABC News' Elizabeth Vargas in 2011, Allen said the traumatic incident made him question if he could have prevented his father's death by praying harder or being with his dad on that day.
"For years, I just did not like this idea of God, church," he said. "[I was] still a churchgoer but constantly a cynic."
Allen said at the time that his faith had grown since then.
Allen is currently starring in a new show, "Shifting Gears," on ABC, about a grieving widower who runs a car workshop and must reconnect with his daughter.
"I've been always amazed with people that have trauma in their lives but still have a sense of humor and still expose themselves to people," Allen told "Good Morning America" in January 2025 discussing his show.
