I find this story especially sweet because I met them both at an autograph show years ago, separately, and now — after knowing each other forever — actors Patrick Duffy, 71, and his longtime friend Linda Purl, 65, have found love.
“I'm in an incredibly happy relationship. I never thought for a minute this would happen,” Duffy told People magazine. “I never thought I'd feel this way again.”
Duffy, Bobby Ewing on Dallas (1978-1991; 2012-2014), said he knew it was real when COVID-19 stuck and he drove 20 hours to be with Purl, perhaps best known for her recurring role as Ashley on Happy Days (1982-1983).
Duffy was widowed in 2017 when his wife of more than 40 years, ballet dancer Carlyn Rosser, died of cancer.
“We were always together,” he said, but he still feels his wife would very much approve of his renewed happiness.
“I feel quite honestly, that it is keeping with the desires of my wife, the fact that we are intended to be happy.”
Such good advice in 2020!
