‘Toy Story’ Star Says Erika Kirk Inspired Him to Forgive His Dad’s Killer
Tim Allen finds a way to forgive the driver who killed his dad.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Home Improvement star Tim Allen has revealed how Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika, has changed his own life. Erika revealed she had forgiven the man who took her husband’s life while speaking at the funeral for the slain right-wing activist. “I forgive him because it was what Christ did,” Kirk said. “The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the Gospel is love and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.” Allen, 72, the voice of Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story franchise, posted on X that her lesson in forgiveness had “deeply affected me.” The actor’s father, Gerald M. Dick, died when his car collided with a drunk driver in 1964, when Allen was 11. Allen, who adapted his middle name Alan for his professional surname, revealed his dad “broke his neck and died in my mom’s lap right there,” during a 2006 episode of Inside the Actors Studio. Allen posted on X, “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.”
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
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.