Patrick Duffy's parents were murdered in their bar in 1986. The Buddhist belief helped the "Dallas" star to cope with the loss.
Thanks to his role in the hit TV series "Dallas" (1978-1991), Patrick Duffy (71) was on a wave of success in 1986. Then fate struck when two 19-year-old men shot his parents in their bar in Montana in November that year. The actor explained to the US magazine "People" how his Buddhist beliefs helped him to cope with the tragedy.
The aspect of the "eternity of life" is firmly anchored in Duffy, said the 71-year-old, who in "Dallas" embodied Bobby Ewing, the younger brother of villain J. R. Ewing (Larry Hagman, 1931-2012). "As horrible as that was, I still didn't feel separated from them."
The Townsend, Montana-born star helped other people with his attitude. Many came to him and said: "When I lost my mother or father, I remembered how you said that you never really had the feeling that you had lost them," said Duffy. "I thought, as long as I can make a difference with it, I'll be fine."
Buddhism is an "essential part" of Patrick Duffy's life
The actor was brought closer to the teachings of Buddhism by his late wife, the ballet dancer Carlyn Rosser (1939-2017). He has now been practicing religion for almost 50 years and describes it as an "essential part" of his life. "I start taking the lessons from the moment I wake up," reported the TV star. "Even when I'm alone, I try."
The two killers of Duffy's parents, Sean A. Wentz and Kenneth A. Miller, were found guilty after their crime in the 1980s and ended up in jail. Miller was paroled in 2007.