Today is Father’s Day so let’s take a look at some of the best and worst TV dads. There’s obviously a huge pool to pull from, so there will inevitably be lots of good choices missing from both lists.
Best
Philip Banks, Fresh Prince of Bel Air
He takes in his nephew, essentially making Will his second son. He treated Will as one of his own, never afraid of giving him the tough love he needed. But he was also always there for Will, Hilary, Carlton, Ashley, and later, Nicky, the way any father should be.
In what is likely Will’s best, most intense and emotional scene of the entire series, it’s also a great, though understated, scene for Uncle Phil. He lets Will vent, doesn’t try to cut in, and he simply is there for support.
Here’s just one example of Uncle Phil going full tilt.
Sandy Cohen, The O.C.
I think these clips speak for themselves. Whether it’s his own kid or not, he’s always there with great advice.
Oh, and let’s not forget the little detail of giving young Ryan Atwood a new home.
Phil Dunphy, Modern Family
The goofy, lovable dad. He has his share of slip-ups, but at the end of the day, you won’t find many (any?) dads who love their family more than Phil.
Even when he’s in discipline mode, he’s still funny.
Red Forman, That 70’s Show
Sure, he may have come across as a hard-ass, but he just believed in good, hard, honest work. And he expected the same from his kids. And he was good for nuggets of wisdom here and there as well.
Alan Matthews, Boy Meets World
One of the true all-time greats. Not only was a great father to his own kids, but he stepped up for Shawn on multiple occasions as well.
A great example of your average, middle-class father who just wanted to do right by his family and provide them with the best life he could.
Homer Simpson, The Simpsons
True, he’s a bumbling idiot who has his fair share of problems. But when it comes down to it, he really is a loving father to his kids.
Ron Swanson, Parks and Recreation
Any child who grows up with the “Swanson Pyramid of Greatness” is going to turn out just fine.
He’s responsible with his money, which a great skill to pass on to your kids.
Yep, any child who grows up with Ron as a dad is a lucky child indeed.
Eric Taylor, Friday Night Lights
Poor Coach drew the short straw with his own daughter, Julie (She. Is. The. WORST.) But the fact that she didn’t turn out to be a complete screw up just goes to show how great her parents were. Yes, Tami was an amazing mom but this post is focusing on the dads out there. And Coach Taylor is one of the best. He took his job as a coach to the next level, becoming a legitimate father figure to a number of his players.
He could get deep when necessary, he could keep it funny, and he knew when to give some tough love. If I was ranking the dads here, I’d have a hard time keeping him out of the #1 spot. So let’s take a look at some of his great dad moments.
One of my favorite scenes in the entire series.
I could go on forever about Coach Taylor, but I’m going to show some self-control and leave it here.
Tim Taylor, Home Improvement
One of the most overused “real man” stereotypes is that you’re not supposed to go to others for help; if you have a problem, you deal with it yourself. While Tim has many of the stereotypical “real man” qualities, this is one area he has no trouble with. In nearly every episode, he goes to neighbor Wilson for help with this problem or that problem. Even without outright saying it, this had to have a positive effect on the boys.
Chris Traeger, Parks and Recreation
I mean, probably, right?
There’s no way he didn’t turn out to be an unbelievable dad.
Worst
Stannis Baratheon, Game of Thrones
He burned his daughter alive. Do I really need to say any more?
Frank Costanza, Seinfeld
He’s mean to George.
He’s petty.
He’s Frank.
Don Draper, Mad Men
Like many (all) on this list, a great character. But a bad, bad father. Absentee dad. Self-centered, putting his wants and desires about what his kids needed and wanted. A serial cheater who eventually gets caught by daughter Sally. No one is nominating Dick Whitman for Father of the Year.
Peter Griffin, Family Guy
Hilarious? Yes. Would I want him as a father? Absolutely not.
Dexter Morgan, Dexter
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that living with a single dad who happens to moonlight as a serial killer may not be the best environment for a child. Plus, you know, his side gig ultimately gets his wife murdered in the presence of their young son. So there’s that too.
Dennis Reynolds, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Right? We’ve barely seen him as a father, but, come on. There’s no way this man can be a good dad.
Frank Reynolds, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
An all-time great character. But a good father that does not make. This is the man who would buy the Christmas presents his kids wanted most…for himself.
Homer Simpson, The Simpsons
Yep, Homer gets the distinct honor of making both lists. There’s the constant choking of Bart.
He doesn’t always make his kids feel valued.
And he doesn’t always set the best examples for kids. Deliberately making himself obese so he can work from home? Not what you want to see.
Tony Soprano, The Sopranos
An iconic character, for sure. But a mobster isn’t exactly the best living example of what a man, or just a person for that matter, should be. But his inner struggles to reconcile his mob life with his family obligations does make for some fascinating television. He often does try to do right by his family (or at least his kids) but I’ve got to think being an 8-time murderer sets you pretty far back.
Walter White, Breaking Bad
Has some real similarities to Tony Soprano. Iconic character. Wants to do what he can to help his family by leading to a life of crime. But Walt ends up fully embracing his new life, becoming just an all-around horrible human being. And that of course includes being a terrible father.
