Tim Allen says Erika Kirk inspired him to forgive father’s killer
TL;DR:
- Tim Allen said he forgave his father’s killer after 60 years.
- He credits Erika Kirk’s words at Charlie Kirk’s memorial.
- Allen posted the message on X on Sept. 25, 2025.
- His father died in a 1964 drunk driving crash.
- The moment ties to Allen’s new season of “Shifting Gears.”
Tim Allen shared a rare, personal update this week.
In a post on X on Sept. 25, 2025, the actor said Erika Kirk’s words at her husband Charlie Kirk’s memorial helped him forgive the man who killed his father in 1964. Entertainment Weekly and TheWrap both reported on the post, which ended, “Peace be with you all.”
What happened
Erika Kirk spoke at a public memorial on Sept. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona. She said she forgave the 22-year-old suspect accused in her husband’s killing. Her message centered on faith, mercy, and love for enemies. ABC News streamed and summarized the remarks during and after the event.
Four days later, Allen posted that her words “deeply affected” him. He wrote that he had struggled for more than 60 years to forgive, then stated he was choosing to forgive the man who killed his dad. TheWrap captured the exact phrasing and timing of his post.
Background you need
Allen’s father, Gerald M. Dick, died in November 1964 when a drunk driver struck the family car in Colorado. Allen was 11. Entertainment Weekly and a 2023 Biography profile both describe the crash and its impact on Allen’s faith and outlook.
Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot and killed during a Utah Valley University event on Sept. 10, 2025. ABC News built a visual timeline and reported that a 22-year-old suspect was taken into custody within 33 hours. The FBI and local officials continue to investigate.
Why Allen spoke now
Public figures often keep grief private. Allen chose to link his own loss to a public act of grace that many witnessed. His post followed days of national coverage of the memorial in Glendale, where Erika Kirk’s forgiveness drew strong reactions across media. ABC News chronicled the service and response.
What he said, in brief
- He heard Erika Kirk forgive her husband’s alleged killer.
- He said her words moved him to forgive the driver who killed his father.
- He closed with a wish for peace. TheWrap and EW reported the language and context.
What it means for readers
Forgiveness stories can feel distant. Allen’s note connects a widely watched memorial to a decades-old family tragedy. It shows how one public act can spark another, across very different events. ABC News and Entertainment Weekly provide the key on-the-record details that let readers place Allen’s post on a clear timeline.
What happens next
Authorities continue to process evidence from the Sept. 10 shooting and court dates will set the legal path. ABC News’ timeline outlines the initial arrest and next steps. Separate from the case, Allen returns to ABC’s “Shifting Gears,” whose season 2 premiere is scheduled for Oct. 1, 2025, with guest spots from “Home Improvement” castmates, as noted by EW.
Quick timeline
| Date | Event |
| Sept. 10, 2025 | Charlie Kirk is shot at Utah Valley University. |
| Sept. 21, 2025 | Public memorial in Glendale. Erika Kirk says, “I forgive him.” |
| Sept. 25, 2025 | Tim Allen posts that he forgives the man who killed his father |
| Oct. 1, 2025 | “Shifting Gears” season 2 premiere on ABC |
Context on Charlie Kirk case
A suspect was identified and arrested within two days of the shooting, according to ABC News. The investigation is still open, with reviews underway to improve campus security. The Associated Press reported Utah Valley University is commissioning an external review.
Why it matters
Public grief shapes culture. When a well-known figure ties forgiveness to personal loss, it can influence dialogue far beyond entertainment. Allen’s message may prompt readers to revisit their own long-held hurts, or simply to reflect on how mercy is shown in public life. The facts above set the scene without guessing at motives or outcomes.
What to watch
- Any court filings or hearings linked to the Sept. 10 shooting.
- Ratings and reception for “Shifting Gears” season 2 after Oct. 1.
- Further statements from Allen or the Kirk family.
Sources:
- Entertainment Weekly, “Tim Allen was inspired by Charlie Kirk’s widow to finally forgive the man who killed his father,” https://ew.com/tim-allen-charlie-kirk-widow-helped-forgive-dad-11819173 , 2025-09-26
- TheWrap, “Tim Allen Says Erika Kirk’s Grace for Charlie’s Assassin Inspired Him to Forgive His Father’s Killer,” https://www.thewrap.com/tim-allen-charlie-kirk-assassin-forgiveness-father/ , 2025-09-26
ABC News, “Visual timeline: How the Charlie Kirk shooting unfolded,” https://abcnews.go.com/US/visual-timeline-charlie-kirk-shooting-unfolded/story?id=125478526 , 2025-09-18
