In celebration of Father’s Day, we thought it would be fun to take a stroll down memory lane and pay tribute to 10 of our favorite TV Dads. Some of them are kind, some of them are stern, some of them are loud, and some of them are clueless, but each of them has contributed to that patchwork quilt of qualities that defines our collective sense of the word “Dad.” These icons are presented in chronological order, and we’ve made it interactive so that you can vote for your fave!
Ward Cleaver
Leave it to Beaver (1957-1963)
Ward Cleaver is a classic TV Dad—handsome, good-natured, and wise. He was a font of sage advice to his sons Wally and the Beav, yet you could see Ward and his wife June as having an actual sex life, which was pretty rare in the conservative 1950s. Due in large part to his anchoring presence, LITB is a funny show with heart that stands up to this day.
Ward’s Words of Wisdom:
“You’re never too old to do goofy stuff.”
Herman Munster
The Munsters (1964-1966)
One of the most lovable TV Dads of all time, Herman was a gentle giant with a heart of gold. Tall, green, and forward-thinking with an awesome car—his son Eddie the Wolf Boy was a lucky lad, indeed!
Herman’s Words of Wisdom:
“The lesson I want you to learn is...it doesn’t matter what you look like, you can be tall, short or fat or thin or ugly or handsome like your father, or you can be black or yellow or white, it doesn’t matter. What does matter is the size of your heart and the strength of your character.”
Mike Brady
The Brady Bunch (1969-1974)
Maybe it’s just the chemical fumes from his perm talking, but legions of Gen X-ers think of Mr. Brady as the ultimate TV Dad. He was so good that after the first season you totally forgot he wasn’t the biological father of Marcia, Jan, and Cindy. Mike was a successful architect and a groovy dresser. Still, the question must be asked—who names a dog Tiger?
Mike’s Words of Wisdom:
“Them who don’t look sometimes get took.”
Jodie Dallas
Soap (1977-1981)
Soap was a hilarious soap-opera spoof with a cast to die for. Billy Crystal played Jodie, a gay TV commercial director who fathers a daughter after a one-night stand and goes on to win full custody. One of the first homosexual characters to be portrayed on TV, Jodie was given meaningful plotlines and equal screen time with the rest of the cast, blazing the trail for the representation of future LGBT+ characters.
Jodie’s Words of Wisdom:
“My social life and my child have nothing to do with each other. My life IS my child.”
Frank Costanza
Seinfeld (1989-1998)
After Jerry Stiller’s passing at the age of 92, the other Jerry (Seinfeld) said: “We never gave Jerry Stiller a note. I never adjusted his performance once. Whatever he did, that’s it. What I loved about him is he so completes the George story. When you meet the father you go, ‘Oh, now I understand why he’s like that’.”
Frank’s Words of Wisdom:
“The tradition of festivus begins with the airing of grievances. I’ve got a lot of problems with you people, and now you’re gonna hear about it!”
Homer Simpson
The Simpsons (1989-present)
As the MENSA-not husband and father of three who works at a nuclear power plant, Homer is an everyman slacker whose favorite things in life are TV and beer. He has some of the funniest quotes of any TV Dad in history, but this one takes the cake (er, doughnut).
Homer’s Words of Wisdom:
“Marriage is like a coffin, and each kid is another nail.”
Bernie Mac
The Bernie Mac Show (2001-2006)
In this sitcom based loosely on his real life, Bernie plays a stand-up comedian who takes in his sister’s three children after she enters rehab. His unconventional parenting style is funny and sharp, but the deep well of love he feels for his family is there for all to see. Unique and one of the all-time best, Bernie Mac may be gone but he is not forgotten.
Bernie’s Words of Wisdom:
“When it comes to raising children, I believe in give and take. I give the orders and they take ‘em.”
George Lopez
George Lopez (2002-2007)
Raised in a dysfunctional household, George Lopez eventually sought escape through the outlet of stand-up comedy. He did so well that he was offered his own network TV show. Drawing from his life as a Mexican-American kid growing up in the San Fernando Valley, George brought a fresh take on family life into America’s living rooms.
George’s Words of Wisdom:
“Whoever is my relative, I will not be nice to them.”
Phil Dunphy
Modern Family (2009-2020)
Phil Dunphy is hands down the greatest realtor/amateur magician/goofball TV Dad ever. Sure, he’s less mature than his kids, but Phil is so open-hearted and fun that it’s impossible not to like him. Plus he’s kind of hot, right?
Phil’s Words of Wisdom:
“I always felt bad for people with emotionally distant fathers; it turns out I’m one of them. It’s a miracle I didn’t end up a stripper.”
Dre Johnson
Black-ish (2014-present)
Dre is a successful advertising executive who seeks to “raise” his children in every sense of the word. Though his four kids sometimes roll their eyes at him, Dre wants them to succeed without losing a sense of their heritage. His sometimes quirky behavior is beautifully counter-balanced by his wife Rainbow, played by Tracee Ellis Ross.
Dre’s Words of Wisdom:
“The family that pranks together, stays together.”
Read & Listen
Vote for Your Fave!
Don’t forget to vote for your favorite. Give your own father figure some love. To all you dads and mentors out there, Happy Father’s Day!