Tim Allen says Erika Kirk’s memorial speech inspired him to forgive his father’s killer

Tim Allen says Erika Kirk’s memorial speech deeply affected him and inspired him to forgive the man who killed his father more than six decades ago. The Home Improvement star, 72, wrote on X that Erika Kirk’s forgiveness of her husband Charlie Kirk’s killer gave him peace, and that he has spent more than 60 years seeking the same absolution for his own father’s death.

Erika Kirk spoke at her husband Charlie Kirk’s memorial service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sept. 21, 2025, publicly forgiving Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused shooter. "That young man … I forgive him," she said, adding, "I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and it’s what Charlie would do."

Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed while speaking at a public event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. Robinson was arrested and faces multiple charges including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and violent offense in the presence of a child. The memorial service drew tens of thousands of attendees, with some reporting that more than 90,000 people were present or watching online, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Elon Musk.

Allen’s memories of his own father, Gerald Dick, who died in 1964 after a drunk-driving crash when Allen was 11, have long shaped his public reflections on forgiveness and faith. He has spoken in past interviews about the lasting impact of that day, including a 2006 account in which he described how his death altered his relationship with his faith and his sense of trust in God. In a 2012 interview, he said he had spent years seeking answers about why his father was taken from him and that he hoped for some resolution from a higher power.

The memorial service for Charlie Kirk, 31, was held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, and drew a wide cross-section of supporters from across the political spectrum. Kirk’s widow also spoke movingly about forgiveness in what many described as a public, faith-forward moment amid a tragedy that has touched the conservative movement he helped to organize.

Erika Kirk’s forgiveness of Robinson, who is also charged with offenses that include witness tampering and a violent offense in the presence of a child, has added a powerful footnote to the ongoing case. Robinson, 22, was charged after the Sept. 10 shooting, which occurred while Kirk was at a public event in Utah.

Allen’s public note about Erika Kirk’s eulogy arrived as the country watched a case that has drawn national attention to the Turning Point USA leadership amid questions about security and accountability at political events. The singer-actor has not indicated any personal involvement in the investigation, focusing instead on the emotional resonance of Erika Kirk’s remarks and their broader message about mercy.

The dialogue surrounding forgiveness in the aftermath of violence is likely to color discussions about faith, family and political activism in the weeks ahead. Allen’s statement—paired with Erika Kirk’s public offering of grace—highlights how personal narratives can shape public conversations about reconciliation in a polarized era.

Image: Tim Allen forgiveness collage

Robinson’s case remains under investigation and in the realm of the Utah legal system, with authorities describing the incident as a fatal shooting that has prompted a national discussion about forgiveness, faith and the role of public figures who advocate for peaceful resolutions even in the face of violence.

The evolving story continues to unfold as prosecutors outline the charges and investigators seek to establish motive and reliability of security protocols at public events. Erika Kirk’s decision to forgive, and Tim Allen’s public acknowledgment of that forgiveness, add a humanizing layer to a case that has captivated many Americans who follow both politics and culture.