During a recent eulogy, Erika Kirk expressed forgiveness for the individual who took her husband’s life, sparking global attention. Her words resonated deeply with actor Tim Allen, who shared how the speech inspired him to confront unresolved feelings tied to his father’s death over six decades ago.

At the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, Erika Kirk conveyed forgiveness for her husband’s killer, Tyler Robinson, 22, charged with aggravated murder and other offenses in the September 10 shooting at Utah Valley University. “I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and is what Charlie would do,” she said during the ceremony in Glendale, Arizona.

Allen, 72, revealed on social media that Erika Kirk’s words prompted him to finally forgive the man responsible for his father’s death in a 1964 car accident caused by a drunk driver. “I will say those words now as I type: ‘I forgive the man who killed my father,’” he wrote, reflecting on decades of struggle with unforgiveness.

The actor emphasized that forgiveness is essential, noting its impact on personal well-being. “Unforgiveness can literally make you sick,” he stated, urging others to release resentment. His message highlighted the universal challenge of forgiving those who cause harm.