Patrick Duffy’s world crumbled when his wife of over four decades unexpectedly passed away in 2017. For years, the actor thought he’d never recover from the heartbreak. Yet, in his seventies, he found love again when he least expected it. For decades, Patrick Duffy and his wife shared a love story that became the centerpiece of his life. Married for 43 years, they built a family and a deep spiritual connection that shaped him. When she died, he grappled with profound loss and spent years embracing life as a widower.
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.
Patrick Duffy and Carlyn Rosser photographed at California State University on May 22, 1977. | Source: Getty Images 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 β 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.”
Around the same time, Duffy and Rosser welcomed their second son, Conor. Then, their bond was tested in 1986 when the actor’s parents were tragically murdered during a robbery at their tavern in Boulder, Montana.The horrifying event shook Duffy to his core, but he leaned on Rosser and his Buddhist faith to endure the pain. He later shared: “When my parents were murdered, I went through all the emotions of the horrific event β shock and anger and everything β but I never felt disconnected from [my parents].”
He credited Buddhism with helping him process the tragedy. Rosser was also Duffy’s anchor during this time. However, in 2017, he faced an unimaginable loss when she passed away at 77. Her death came as a shock to the family, and Duffy admitted he struggled to adjust. 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.”
