Tim Allen Inspired by Erika Kirk to Forgive Man Who Killed His Father

Tim Allen was so moved by Erika Kirk forgiving her husband’s suspected killer that he’s decided to forgive the man who killed his father.

The Toy Story and Shifting Gears star took to social media on Thursday to detail how the viral moment from Charlie Kirk‘s memorial service (watch it below) has impacted him.

“When Erika Kirk spoke the words [about] the man who killed her husband: ‘That man … that young man … I forgive him,’ Allen wrote. “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 killed my father.’”

Added Allen: “Peace be with you all.”

Allen’s father was killed by a drunk driver while he was while driving the family home from a college football game in 1964, according to an AARP interview with the actor. Allen was 11 years old and was the only family member who had stayed home that day (his mother and siblings survived the crash).

“It changed everything forever,” Allen said in 2012. “Part of me still doesn’t trust that things are going to work out all right. I knew my father was dead, but I was never satisfied with why he was dead. I wanted answers that minute from God. ‘Do you think this is funny? Do you think this is necessary?’ And I’ve had a tumultuous relationship with my creator ever since.”

The footage of Kirk forgiving suspect Tyler Robinson — and receiving a standing ovation from the 90,000 mourners who attended the Turning Point USA co-founder’s memorial at State Farm Stadium in Arizona on Sunday — has been a powerful video counterweight, of sorts, to the horrifying video that circulated on social media of her husband being shot.

One part of Jimmy Kimmel’s return monologue this week that nearly everyone — even his right-wing critics — seemed to like was his emotional take on the footage which concluded his remarks. “She forgave him — that is an example we should follow,” Kimmel said. “If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, as I do, there it was. That’s it. A selfless act of grace, forgiveness from a grieving widow, and it touched me deeply. And it touched many. If there’s anything we should take from this tragedy to carry forward, I hope it can be that, and not this.”

Allen, at least, has seemed to indeed carry that moment forward.