Off The Record
Patrick Duffy Thought He’d Never Love Again After His Wife’s Death — Until 71 Changed Everything
When Patrick Duffy’s wife of more than 40 years tragically died in 2017, his entire world fell apart. For years, the actor felt he’d never recover from the heartbreak. However, he unexpectedly fell in love again in his seventies.
Patrick Duffy’s life revolved around the love story he shared with his wife for decades. After 43 years of marriage, they established a family and a strong spiritual bond that influenced him. After she passed away, he struggled with deep grief and embraced widowhood for years.
However, a surprising reunion made Duffy realize that even in the most unlikely situations, love might be reignited. Read about his long-lasting relationship with his first wife and how, years after her death, he was able to find happiness once more.
A Love That Stood the Test of Time
When Duffy met his wife, Carlyn Rosser, in his final year of college, his life was irrevocably altered. Duffy was ten years younger than Rosser, who danced ballet for the First Chamber Dance Company of New York.
However, despite their age difference, they remained connected and married for 43 years. Recalling their initial encounter, Duffy said:
“I was an immature college graduate touring as narrator with this dance production, and she was a beautiful ballerina 10 years older. We met on the tour bus, and that was it — for life.”
Rosser introduced Duffy to Buddhism, which became a pillar of their relationship and led to their 1974 marriage in a Buddhist temple. Padraic, their first son, was born that same year.
The couple relocated to New York early in their marriage, where Duffy worked as a carpenter to support Rosser and their expanding family while pursuing acting and making appearances in Off-Broadway companies.
In the latter part of the 1970s, his acting career really took off. He worked as a house painter for a while before landing the part of Mark Harris in the television show “Man from Atlantis.” In 1978, he was cast as Bobby Ewing, the most famous character on “Dallas.”
Conor, Duffy and Rosser’s second son, was born around the same period. Their relationship was then put to the test in 1986 when the actor’s parents were brutally killed in a robbery at their Boulder, Montana, pub.
Duffy was deeply shaken by the horrific incident, but he managed to bear the anguish by leaning on Rosser and his Buddhist beliefs. Later, he revealed:
“When my parents were murdered, I went through all the emotions of the horrific event — shock and anger and everything — but I never felt disconnected from [my parents].”
He attributed his ability to cope with the catastrophe to Buddhism. At this time, Rosser served as Duffy’s anchor as well. But when mother died in 2017 at the age of 77, he experienced an unfathomable sorrow. The family was shocked by her passing, and Duffy said that he found it difficult to cope.
Reflecting on their relationship, he said, “My wife and I, in 48 years, we were always together.” He also noted, “It was a surprise when she passed. There was no indication. So that was the big adjustment.”
Six months after her death, Duffy took to X and wrote, “On this day 6 months ago my heart stopped, yet I live on as she wishes. We will be together eternally. Thank you for the love and concern.”
The actor leaned heavily on his sons for support, though he often felt it was his role to help them process their grief, saying, “My boys were there as stalwarts. But I also realized that, as much as they were trying to buttress old Dad up, I’m probably more adjusted to this set of circumstances than they are.”
Despite his heartache, Duffy found solace in the memories he shared with Rosser. “I feel close to her all the time,” he said. “[…] What I miss most is her touch.” He also expressed a deep sense of gratitude for their time together, saying, “I have worked hard to make the best of life, and it’s been good to me.”
By 2019, Duffy had come to terms with life as a widower, though he admitted he still considered himself a married man. “I can hear her. I can see her. I know what she would expect of me, and I try and live up to that,” he shared.
The actor was deeply saddened by Rosser’s passing, but her memories kept him on course. Her influence on his life, both spiritually and emotionally, continued to give him strength as he went on each day until the inevitable occurred.
A Love Rediscovered in an Unexpected Chapter
After the tragic death of his wife, Duffy never thought he would experience love again. However, life often reveals the most exquisite moments unexpectedly. His romance with actress Linda Purl began during the peaceful days of the pandemic and gave him a second opportunity at happiness at the age of 71.
Duffy and Purl had been casual acquaintances for years, but eventually drifted apart. The two were actually scheduled to appear together on screen in the late 1980s, but Duffy turned down the chance to work on another project.
Despite this missed opportunity, decades later, they coincidentally reconnected with a common acquaintance via a group text chain. The talks slowed over the next few weeks until they were between Duffy and Purl.
Their relationship felt so natural that they carried it into their careers. The pair appeared in a television film in 2021 as a married couple.
Simple conversations quickly developed into lengthy Zoom talks every night. Duffy revealed:
“We Zoomed every single night for at least two to three hours. We explored all our history, our past, our loves. We listened to music together and covered all that ground you normally cover over months of dating.”
In fact, the first time Duffy told Purl he loved her happened over Zoom, despite it being just a slip of the tongue. “When I hung up after, I said, ‘What did I just say? Oh, my God, I used the L word,'” he humorously revealed.
Once their connection felt undeniable, he decided to meet Purl in person. “I loaded up my car and drove 20 hours and ended up on her doorstep just to see if it was real,” he revealed. From that moment, the two were inseparable.
Purl referred to their journey as “a very Victorian process” since they took their time building a bond before their relationship turned romantic. Duffy, in turn, expressed his surprise at finding love again. “I never thought for a minute this would happen again,” he said. “I never thought I’d feel this way again.”
Their relationship felt so natural that they carried it into their careers. The pair appeared in a television film in 2021 as a married couple. It was an experience that Duffy had never had in his professional life.
“It’s the first time in my entire career that I got up in the morning with my costar and then walked to the set holding hands,” he said. “The chemistry works, offstage and on. And always being together and not being afraid to show affection was so enjoyable.”
Duffy went on to discuss his profound respect for Purl as a partner and an artist in a 2024 interview:
“Every time I see her perform — whether it’s on screen, in a play, or singing — it’s a tutorial. Not just on the craft of what she’s doing but on why you do it in the first place.”
Her unwavering dedication to creativity was praised by him, who referred to her as “an acolyte of the religion of art.” Whether Purl was acting, singing, or painting, Duffy said her passion for the arts stemmed from her conviction that “art can change the world.”
He continued, “That’s my joy — to watch her work at what she does, and art is what she does best.” The actor revealed that he frequently overheard Purl rehearsing songs in the house and made a joke about how well he knew them that he could step in if she ever needed a stand-in.
In January 2025, the beautiful couple called in the new year together
Their relationship reflected a sense of maturity and purpose, different from youthful romances. “You get to a point where you think, ‘It’s all about her. How do I get her to smile?'” Duffy said. “We’ve eliminated all the trial and errors that happen in [younger] relationships. It’s all positive and lovely.”
For Purl, their love story carried a message of hope. “Life is full of surprises, both good and bad. Patrick and I weren’t looking for this. We didn’t expect it or see it coming when our paths crossed. Don’t ever give up,” she shared.
According to Duffy, his late wife would have encouraged his newfound joy by saying:
“I feel, quite honestly, that it is keeping with the desires of my wife, the fact that we are intended to be happy. So when it’s offered, think about it, do whatever you do, but don’t let it pass you up if it’s the right thing.”
Purl posted a charming photo of herself and Duffy grinning while enjoying their trip to Italy on Instagram in November 2024.
“Gorgeous Couple♥️,” one netizen commented on the photo. Another shared, “❤️❤️❤️such cuties,” and a third typed, “Beautiful couple ❤️.” A fourth person wrote, “You’re a good looking couple. God bless! ❤️❤️❤️.”
In January 2025, the beautiful pair called in the new year together. Purl took to Instagram to share, “Boo hoo…Christmas put away for another year. May the spirit prevail in 2025!”
The story of Patrick Duffy is proof that love can endure and start over. Even if he found happiness with Linda Purl, her memory still lingers in him after decades with Rosser.
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