Patrick Duffy’s Shocking Career Reinvention: From Dallas to Dough – A New Chapter with Linda Purl

In an unbelievable turn of events, Patrick Duffy, the iconic actor best known for his role as Bobby Ewing on Dallas, has completely reinvented himself at the age of 76. Known for his long-running, beloved character on the hit show, Duffy is now the proud CEO of Duffy’s Dough, a bread company that’s taking the world by storm. But this isn’t just any business venture—this shocking twist is packed with emotion, heart, and a brand-new romance with none other than Linda Purl, his co-founder and girlfriend.

Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing in Dallas.

It’s hard to believe that the man who made millions of viewers swoon as the charming, wholesome Bobby Ewing has gone from living life under the spotlight of television to quietly selling loaves of fresh bread. But that’s exactly what he’s doing now, alongside Linda Purl, his partner in business and love. They’re not only making waves in the world of gourmet bread; they’re changing lives one loaf at a time.

But how did this unexpected career shift happen? The twist comes when we look back at how it all started: Patrick Duffy and Linda Purl first reconnected during the coronavirus pandemic, using Zoom calls to stay in touch. After months of virtual conversations, Patrick made the bold decision to drive 20 hours to meet Linda in person, risking everything for a chance to rekindle a relationship that had grown beyond their shared past. Was it fate? Or perhaps something more mysterious than a simple reunion?

Since then, their partnership has blossomed into something extraordinary. Patrick, who had been devastated by the loss of his wife Carolyn in 2017, was unsure he’d ever love again. Yet here he is, thriving in both his personal life and business, with a love for Linda that echoes his passion for his new venture. The two are taking on the bread industry by storm with their company, Duffy’s Dough, which specializes in both delicious artisanal bread and DIY dehydrated sourdough starter kits for anyone wanting to bake at home.

80s TV hunk, 76, looks unrecognizable as he flogs loaves at the supermarket  after quitting fame to make bread | The Sun

But it’s not just about the bread—it’s about the cause. Patrick and Linda have committed to giving back to communities, with 100% of their profits going toward fighting food scarcity. Yes, you read that right—100% of their profits. That means every loaf of sourdough sold not only brings joy to its buyer but also contributes to a larger, more meaningful effort to combat hunger.

Patrick’s Instagram post, shared alongside Linda in a joyful video celebrating their bread hitting Kroger stores, gives us a peek into their excitement. The two write, “From our garage to this. Thank you to each and every one of you for supporting us along this journey, and to @krogerco for helping us reach so many more of you!” And then came the big reveal: “We are so pleased to be able to support food scarcity with 100% of our profits one loaf at a time.”

Imagine the shockwaves this message is sending through the bread industry and beyond—Patrick Duffy, the Dallas heartthrob, now CEO of a social-impact-driven bread company? What’s next, Bobby Ewing selling organic veggies at the farmer’s market?

Let’s not forget that Patrick’s journey has been far from ordinary. His heartfelt confession last year about moving on from the tragic loss of his wife Carolyn resonated deeply with his fans. “I never thought for a minute this would happen again. I never thought I’d feel this way again,” he admitted in an interview with People. His emotional growth, paired with the rekindled spark between him and Linda, has made them a beacon of hope and love for many.

Patrick Duffy and his wife in a grocery store.

Linda Purl, for her part, brings her own fame and charm to the table. Known for her iconic role as Fonzie’s girlfriend, Ashley, on Happy Days, Purl’s career has spanned decades and earned her a loyal fanbase. Despite her fame in television, Linda has found a new sense of purpose with Patrick, working together to not just build a business, but to make an impact on the world. As a couple, they represent a powerful combination of passion, determination, and deep personal connection that transcends any Hollywood plotline.

But here’s the real kicker: Patrick Duffy’s shift from TV star to bread mogul isn’t just a career change—it’s part of a broader trend of celebrities reinventing themselves in unexpected ways. Could it be that Patrick Duffy’s decision to make bread his new passion is a sign of a deeper, more profound transformation in his life?

And what about this new venture—will it last? The couple has already made headlines, but will Duffy’s Dough continue to expand? With their recent partnership with Kroger, it seems like their bread business is only just getting started. Could Patrick and Linda be poised to become the next big power couple in the food industry?

For those who’ve followed Patrick’s career for decades, this might be hard to process. How did the TV heartthrob of the 1980s go from playing the perfect son-in-law on Dallas to baking bread in a garage? How did the tragic loss of his wife Carolyn lead him to find a new love with Linda—and a new purpose with Duffy’s Dough?

If you think you’ve seen it all, think again. Patrick Duffy’s story is a testament to the unpredictable twists life can take. And it’s just the beginning. Could there be more secrets hiding behind the dough? Will the love story continue to unfold in unexpected ways? What will come next from this unlikely, but deeply inspiring, duo?

Stay tuned, because Duffy’s Dough is only getting started. And who knows—maybe the next loaf of sourdough you buy will change someone’s life.

The transformation of Patrick Duffy from a TV legend to a bread-baking philanthropist isn’t just a feel-good story—it’s proof that reinvention is always possible, no matter the age, and that true love can blossom when you least expect it. Will this new chapter be the one that makes Patrick and Linda even bigger icons than before? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—Duffy’s Dough has already proven that sometimes the biggest changes come in the most unexpected packages.