But an unexpected reconnection led Duffy to discover that love could be rekindled in the unlikeliest of circumstances. Take a look at his enduring love story with his first wife and how he found happiness again years after her passing.

Duffy’s life changed forever when he met his wife Carlyn Rosser during his senior year of college. Rosser, a ballet dancer with the First Chamber Dance Company of New York, was a decade older than Duffy. Yet their age difference didn’t deter a connection that spanned 43 years of marriage.

Speaking about their first meeting, Duffy recalled, “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.”

The couple married in 1974 in a Buddhist temple, a faith Rosser introduced to Duffy and became a cornerstone of their relationship. That same year, they welcomed their first son, Padraic.

Early in their marriage, the couple moved to New York, where Duffy pursued acting, appearing in Off-Broadway productions while working as a carpenter to support Rosser and their growing family.

His acting career began to take off in the late 1970s. After a stint working as a house painter, he landed the role of Mark Harris in the TV series “Man from Atlantis.” In 1978, he secured his most iconic role, Bobby Ewing, on “Dallas.”

The horrifying event shook Duffy to his core, but he leaned on Rosser and his Buddhist faith to endure the pain. “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],” Duffy later shared.

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, formerly Twitter, 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.”

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.

For Duffy, the loss of Rosser was profound, but her memory continued to guide him. Her impact on his life, both personally and spiritually, remained a source of strength as he moved forward with each passing day — until the expected happened.

A Love Rediscovered in an Unexpected Chapter

Duffy never imagined he’d fall in love again after the devastating loss of his wife. Yet, as life often proves, the most beautiful moments can arise when least expected. At 71, he found a second chance at happiness with actress Linda Purl, a romance that began during the quiet days of the pandemic.

Years prior, Duffy and Purl had been casual friends, but they lost touch over time. Their reconnection happened serendipitously through a group text chain with a mutual friend. As weeks passed, the conversations gradually dwindled until only Duffy and Purl remained.

What began as simple chats soon deepened into hours-long Zoom calls each night. “We Zoomed every single night for at least two to three hours,” Duffy shared. “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.”

“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.”

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.”

“Gorgeous Couple♥️,” one social media user 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! ❤️❤️❤️.”