Patrick Duffy, best known for playing Bobby Ewing on the hit CBS series Dallas, still remembers one of the show’s most iconic moments. The actor’s return as Bobby became a major television twist. Years later, Duffy revealed that the scene came with an unexpected career reward. Just two words from his comeback earned him the biggest payday of his career.
Patrick Duffy remembers his famous two-word Dallas comeback scene
At the end of the 1984-1985 season, Duffy left Dallas, and the writers killed off Bobby Ewing in a car crash. When the show’s ratings dropped without him, producers brought Duffy back for the next season. By the end of the 1985–1986 season, the show delivered its major twist. Pamela found Bobby alive in the shower, revealing that the entire previous season had been a dream.
As Bobby turned toward the camera, Duffy delivered just two words: “Good morning.”
Looking back on the scene, Duffy said in an interview on KATU Lifestyle, “That was the most well-paid two words in my entire career.”
However, the comeback did not please every Dallas viewer. Duffy acknowledged the mixed reaction, saying, “Well, it disappointed some people, you know, because our fan base on Dallas has always been dedicated. And so the year I was off the show, even though I was off the show, they were dedicated to Dallas, right?”
He explained that some fans were frustrated by the decision to erase an entire season through the dream storyline. Still, the gamble appeared to pay off. “But the ratings went back up, not just for myself, but the storylines improved again.”
Meanwhile, the production team went to great lengths to prevent the surprise from leaking. Duffy said only he and the show’s producer knew about the twist.
Dallas premiered on April 2, 1978, and quickly became a major hit. The series featured stars including Larry Hagman, Ken Kercheval, Barbara Bel Geddes and Linda Gray. The series lasted 14 seasons and 13 years before ending on May 3, 1991.
