Patrick Duffy: The Man Behind Bobby Ewing

How Much Is Patrick Duffy Worth?

Let’s talk about the man who brought Bobby Ewing to life. Patrick Duffy, an iconic figure in television history, has amassed a net worth of $20 million over the years. His career skyrocketed with the original "Dallas," the classic primetime soap opera that captivated audiences worldwide. Later, he reprised his role as Bobby Ewing in the TNT reboot in 2012, proving that some stories never grow old. In the '90s, Patrick took on a different role as Frank Lambert in the beloved sitcom "Step by Step," co-starring with Suzanne Somers. Beyond acting, Patrick directed 49 episodes of "Step by Step," showing his versatility behind the camera.

Real Estate Ventures

From Tarzana to the Pacific Palisades

For over two decades, Patrick and his late wife, Carlyn, enjoyed life in Tarzana, California. They listed their 1.5-acre property for $2 million back in 1999 but ultimately sold it in 2000 for $1.5 million to Jonathan Davis, the lead singer of the rock band Korn. Davis flipped the property in 2004, selling it for just under $2.1 million. After parting ways with their Tarzana home, Patrick and Carlyn purchased a townhouse in LA’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood. This move allowed them to maintain their Southern California roots.

The Oregon Dream

A 400-Acre Paradise

For many years, Patrick spent the majority of his time on his 400-acre ranch near Medford, Oregon. His love affair with the region began in 1989 during a fishing trip with his "Dallas" co-star Larry Hagman. Inspired by the beauty of the area, he purchased his first 130 acres for $1.5 million a year later. Over the next two decades, Patrick invested an additional $3 million to expand his land, creating a stunning 400-acre estate along the Rogue River. The property features a main house with four bedrooms, an art gallery, and a guest cottage. Not to mention, a recreational facility complete with a wine bar, hot tub, and an indoor lap pool carved into the mountain. The ranch also boasts eight additional homes, six of which are rental units. In 2022, Patrick listed the majority of the property for $14 million but ultimately sold it at auction for $6.44 million after a 12% auction premium. Here’s a video tour of the property, hosted by Patrick himself:

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Artistic Roots

A Passion for Collecting

One of the main reasons Patrick and Carlyn chose Oregon was to create more space for their extraordinary art collection. Their collection includes works by John Singer Sargent, Charles Burchfield, Milton Avery, Andrew Wyeth, and many more. Some pieces were worth millions on their own. In May 2018, Patrick auctioned off several items from their collection. A standout piece, Milton Avery's "The Seamstress," fetched an impressive $2.75 million at auction.

Duffy's Dough: A New Chapter

In September 2022, Patrick and his girlfriend, actress Linda Purl, embarked on a new venture with the launch of "Duffy's Dough." This sourdough business offers starter kits that include dehydrated sourdough, sugar, flour, measuring cups, and even a rolling pin. Priced at around $80, these kits have given fans a taste of Patrick’s culinary creativity.

Early Beginnings

Patrick Duffy was born on May 17, 1949, in the small town of Townsend, Montana. His parents, Terence and Marie "Babe" Duffy, owned a tavern, and the family later moved to Everett, Washington. Duffy attended Cascade High School, where he discovered his passion for drama and joined the Drama and Pep Clubs. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1971 with a degree in drama, gaining the skills needed to teach theater arts. During his senior year, Patrick ruptured his vocal cords, leading him to work as an interpreter for ballet, opera, and orchestra companies around Washington. He also taught mime and movement classes, showcasing his versatility.

Breaking Into Hollywood

The Journey to Stardom

In the early '70s, Patrick made the move to Los Angeles, California, to pursue his dreams of becoming an actor. After landing minor roles in TV movies and a guest appearance on "Switch" in 1976, his big break came with the science-fiction series "Man From Atlantis." Playing Mark Harris, a being from the lost continent of Atlantis, Patrick's character had webbed hands and feet and could only survive outside water for limited periods. Although the show only lasted one season, it marked a significant step in his career.

The Dallas Dynasty

From Bobby Ewing to TV Legend

Patrick’s next role would forever define his career. While "Dallas" wasn’t an instant hit, it eventually became a cultural phenomenon. Despite its success, Patrick grew weary of playing the "nice guy" and left the series in 1985 to explore more adventurous roles. After his departure, the show’s ratings plummeted, and in 1986, Patrick was persuaded to return as Bobby Ewing. The writers explained his absence with a now-famous shower scene where it was revealed that his death had been "just a dream." This plot twist became a defining moment in TV history, much like the legendary cliffhanger "Who Shot J.R.?"

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Tragedy struck Patrick's personal life in 1986 when his parents, Terence and Babe, were tragically killed during a robbery attempt at their tavern in Boulder, Montana. Out of respect for Patrick and his immense loss, the production of "Dallas" was briefly paused. Patrick remained with the show until its cancellation in 1991. During its 13-year run, he directed several episodes and appeared in the spinoff "Knots Landing" from 1979 to 1982. In the '90s, Patrick starred in two "Dallas" reunion movies: 1996's "J.R. Returns" and 1998's "War of Wings," which he also co-produced. In 2004, the cast reunited for the non-fiction TV special "Dallas Reunion: Return to Southfork." In 2012, Patrick joined the reboot of "Dallas," alongside Linda Gray and Larry Hagman. Unfortunately, Larry Hagman passed away from cancer complications that same year. In 2016, Patrick participated in the experimental documentary "Hotel Dallas" by artist duo Ungur & Huang, playing a surreal version of Bobby Ewing.

Singing Success

Patrick ventured into the music world in 1983 with a hit duet, "Together We're Strong," alongside French singer Mireille Mathieu. The song reached #5 in the Netherlands in April 1983, proving that Patrick’s talents extended beyond the screen.

Step by Step: A Family Affair

From 1991 to 1998, Patrick starred as Frank Lambert on the family sitcom "Step By Step," co-starring with Suzanne Somers. The show aired 160 episodes over seven seasons on ABC as part of its TGIF lineup and later became a staple of syndicated television. Patrick directed 49 episodes, further showcasing his skills behind the camera.

Other Ventures

Throughout his career, Patrick continued to act in guest-starring roles and voice-over appearances, including for "Family Guy," "Justice League," and "Touched by an Angel." He also starred in numerous TV movies, such as "Falling in Love with the Girl Next Door" and "Desolation Canyon." In 2006, Patrick began appearing in the recurring role of Stephen Logan on the soap opera "The Bold and the Beautiful." In 2008, he hosted the interactive game show "Bingo America" on GSN.

Personal Life

Love and Loss

Tragedy struck Patrick’s personal life in November 1986 when two teenagers, Kenneth Miller and Sean Wentz, murdered his parents during an armed robbery at their tavern. The teens were sentenced to 75 years in prison, with Miller being released on parole in 2007 and Wentz in 2015. Patrick married professional ballerina Carlyn Rosser in February 1974, and they settled in Eagle Point, Oregon, with their sons Padraic Terence Duffy and Conor Frederick Duffy. Their marriage endured until Carlyn's passing in January 2017. Patrick has shared that he still feels "married" to Carlyn, who helped him embrace Buddhism after the loss of his parents. Carlyn’s sister Roberta married musician Joe Zito, and their son Barry Zito became a successful Major League Baseball pitcher. In 2020, Patrick began dating actress Linda Purl.