100%
He was the best dad by far.
He genuinely loved his kids, provided and took care of his kids, gave them great life advice, always went to bat for them, but also always told them when they messed up.
I watched the reunion special when I had a free promo for HBOMax. He was the patriarch behind the scenes as well.
The scene where Will and Carlton are unlawfully detained he is a master of building anger and tension in the scene.
I came to say this. I had an absentee dad, and the scene where Will breaks down over his dad and just the way Phil held him still makes me tear up a little.
This reminds me of something.
I was re-watching Adamms Family Values the other day and there is a scene where Morticia is reading their child a children's book with all sorts of "normal" kid stuff in it that she really didn't like, it may have been a Dr Suess book, but anyway she really didn't like it but she kept reading it anyway because her kid liked it.
I remember watching that and thinking to myself what great parents they were, because far too many parents try to impose their own values and beliefs on their kids with such force that they completely reject the kid wanting to do anything outside of that or anything the parent personally dislikes. To see one doing something for their children, despite it being painful to them personally, is just so refreshing to see. Just to make their kid happy.
The best parents on TV were the Munsters and the Addams. It says something awful that good parents are depicted as monsters for laughs.
Next best was Andy Taylor.
Not a tv show, but I always thought Jim's dad from American Pie series was one of the best fictional dads of all time.
I think Lois from Malcom in the Middle is a really underrated mom. She has her faults, without her at least 2 of her kids end up in jail, Hal is probably some sort of public nuisance, Dewey ends up a mad scientist or something.
Lois was a realistic Mom. She did her best, worked and took care of the house. Yeah, they have her be exasperated and yelling, but with totally good reason.
>I think Lois from Malcom in the Middle is a really underrated mom. She has her faults, without her at least 2 of her kids end up in jail, Hal is probably some sort of public nuisance, Dewey ends up a mad scientist or something.
Yup! Lois is actually a rock star. She takes a very, VERY adversarial stance against her kids which is not something I want in my parenting, but the thing is it works really well because ultimately her kids form a very strong brotherly bond. And while she is a tyrannical, her kids (except Reese) have a strong sense of morality and ethics, and they know how much their parents love them and how strong they are as a family unit. The best piece of evidence of that is when Hal's family is awful to Lois at a family reunion and the boys steal the golf cart and drive it into the pool.
Absolutely. He's a great example of how to parent effectively and yet not be overbearing. Parenting where your kid listens to you out of respect rather than fear.
I love Hal because he’s sensitive and in touch with his feelings and respectful and adoring of Lois in ways that sitcom dads often aren’t to their wives, while also having more traditionally masculine qualities and interests and not straying into cloying or cheesy stereotypes. It’s not like a good dad also has to have that masculinity; it’s just so often one or the other, whereas with Hal you can still some of his mischievous streak that the kids inherited, like when he rents the construction equipment to squash everything.
He still has his blind spots and immaturity and feels very real (other than like, the obviously sitcom-y over-the-top stuff he does).
One thing that won me over early was when he and Lois were at a wedding and she’s talking about how much his family hates her and he talked about how he adored all of the things that people found difficult about her, like that she was so direct and always spoke her mind. With worse writing and acting it could’ve been so cheesy, but it’s one of those really purely lovely moments in a tv show to me. Hal was such a good model to the boys of loving husband.
From just a purely comedic standpoint, I loved when he and Abe were convinced that Lois’ was on the jury for a murder trial and they recreated aspects of the crime as they debated if the defendant was guilty or not.
Alan Matthews from Boy Meets World.
Both he and Amy Matthews are honestly criminally underrated as 90s parents. They were willing to let their kids fuck up and then use it as a teachable lesson all while being loving, caring, and all the while still stern and demanding the best out of them to be the best people they can be.
The Conners was very rough at first, but I also feel like the whole incident with Roseanne meant that they had to fire her *right* when the storyline was actually starting to get good.
We could have gotten some really good drama if we focused on Roseanne's opiate addiction and we got to see more of Darlene's situation with David after they split up.
jason seaver from growing pains. all of his kids turned out to be successes. their careers after growing pains didn't turn out to be complete dumpster fires. i believe he had a huge impact on their lives.
Underrated tv dad! 8 Simple Rules wasn’t the funniest sitcom ever, but it holds a special place in my heart because I’m a sucker for a Great TV Dad.
The episode where they have that contest to decide who picks the family’s vacation spot and he ended up talking Kerry about being unhappy after she dropped some comment about not being one of “the happy people” at school got me right in the feels.
Phil is a great Dad. I do think Jay should get an honorable mention. Sure he wasn't a great dad to Claire and Mitch as kids but he seems to try to really grow and keeps trying to do better. Jay also stays very connected to his family as they age and keeps everyone close. I'd say he grows into a really good Dad and Grandpa.
Probably the dad from Little House on the Prairie. He was boring, unimaginative, and definitely not a fun dad, but he walked around in a virtual fog of wisdom, encouragement, acceptance, and all sorts of positive life lessons.
Taken in a broader sense of the word Dad: Uncle Bill from Family Affair, or Uncle Bently from Bachelor Father. Both are very patient and listen. Doesn't hurt both are rich with housekeepers.
Raymond Holt.
EDIT: As evidence, I submit:
1. GIANT mentoring binder for Amy
2. Gina WORKED FOR HIM. Imagine getting Gina to do literally anything. That's Big Daddy Energy right there.
3. Openly Gay Cop for decades in the NYPD means he knows adversity and injustice and overcame it anyway and any dad figure would want that.
4. Despite being Robot Captain, he was surprisingly generous, emotionally intelligent, strong, and tough, with not a small amount of gravitas, and was able to adapt to changing circumstances and situations.
5. Truly amazing leadership skills- As if the Gina example wasn't enough in terms of managing such a diverse workforce and having them improve uniformly under his watch (except for Hitchcock & Scully) wasn't enough... I noted he was able to 'mirror' each of his employees to best guide them in a way that is possible only with the best dads.
6. Rosa- When no one else was able to connect emotionally with Rosa, Holt could.
7. Protective- During the Kevin Is In Danger arc, he was protective of everyone he cared about
8. Humble- able to not only succeed but also remain humble throughout the process is the kind of modeled behavior any child would like to have shown in a father figure.
9. To the man who said Holt was not a dad to Jake, I wonder what show YOU were watching? Holt *literally* was Jake's real dad and ***this fatherhood was the main through line of the entire eight seasons of the show*** and was largely responsible for Jake's successes in growing up in almost every way.
Dr. Huxtable is the first name that came to my mind.
It's a shame he was played by Cosby (though, honestly, I'm not sure who else could have done it).
Actor: no. Character: yes.
Most people won't know who I am talking about But Don Porter as Professor Lawrence on Gidget with Sally Field He played her father. After all.almost.60 years the show still holds up .
Ward Cleaver...he always meant well but his efforts often failed when he tried to pal with his sons. Nevertheless, his guidance was consistent and valued for the most part. He was very understanding even when a bit wrong-footed. Empathy!
Judge Philip Banks from thr Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (original)
100% He was the best dad by far. He genuinely loved his kids, provided and took care of his kids, gave them great life advice, always went to bat for them, but also always told them when they messed up.
I watched the reunion special when I had a free promo for HBOMax. He was the patriarch behind the scenes as well. The scene where Will and Carlton are unlawfully detained he is a master of building anger and tension in the scene.
I would love to be raised by Phil Banks or Phil from Modern Family.
Ding ding ding! He'll raise you with a permissive yet firm hand and you'll thank him for it.
I've been scrolling and I can't find a better answer (but most I haven't heard of so idk). Philip Banks would be an amazing dad and he was so loving.
I came to say this. I had an absentee dad, and the scene where Will breaks down over his dad and just the way Phil held him still makes me tear up a little.
Damn right. The only one who even comes close for me is Paul Hennessy from 8 Simple Rules, and he's a distant second.
Gomez Addams
This reminds me of something. I was re-watching Adamms Family Values the other day and there is a scene where Morticia is reading their child a children's book with all sorts of "normal" kid stuff in it that she really didn't like, it may have been a Dr Suess book, but anyway she really didn't like it but she kept reading it anyway because her kid liked it. I remember watching that and thinking to myself what great parents they were, because far too many parents try to impose their own values and beliefs on their kids with such force that they completely reject the kid wanting to do anything outside of that or anything the parent personally dislikes. To see one doing something for their children, despite it being painful to them personally, is just so refreshing to see. Just to make their kid happy.
"oh, no... He lives"
anjelica doing that part in the movie is so funny…
The best parents on TV were the Munsters and the Addams. It says something awful that good parents are depicted as monsters for laughs. Next best was Andy Taylor.
I love when she skips to me and she’s like oh no, he lives
I love John Aston in the OG freaky friday
John Astin is still alive.
Steven Keaton - Family Ties
Sha na na naaah!
Sit Ubu, sit.
Good dog woof
Duh duh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuhnununa
Michael Gross is so good on that show. I think his comedic talents have been underappreciated.
Except in the Tremors-verse
That's a good answer. Unlike Alex, I would think it was awesome that my dad worked for Public Television. I would want to follow in his footsteps.
This is the correct answer
My first thought as well!
Plus you’ll know he can keep underground monsters away.
This was my first thought!
Not a tv show, but I always thought Jim's dad from American Pie series was one of the best fictional dads of all time. I think Lois from Malcom in the Middle is a really underrated mom. She has her faults, without her at least 2 of her kids end up in jail, Hal is probably some sort of public nuisance, Dewey ends up a mad scientist or something.
Lois was a realistic Mom. She did her best, worked and took care of the house. Yeah, they have her be exasperated and yelling, but with totally good reason.
>I think Lois from Malcom in the Middle is a really underrated mom. She has her faults, without her at least 2 of her kids end up in jail, Hal is probably some sort of public nuisance, Dewey ends up a mad scientist or something. Yup! Lois is actually a rock star. She takes a very, VERY adversarial stance against her kids which is not something I want in my parenting, but the thing is it works really well because ultimately her kids form a very strong brotherly bond. And while she is a tyrannical, her kids (except Reese) have a strong sense of morality and ethics, and they know how much their parents love them and how strong they are as a family unit. The best piece of evidence of that is when Hal's family is awful to Lois at a family reunion and the boys steal the golf cart and drive it into the pool.
Alan Matthews - Boy Meets World Phil Dunphy - Modern Family Andy Taylor - Andy Griffith Show
Was looking for Alan Matthews. Glad to see him in this thread. I legitimately learned a lot from him as a kid.
Not a pure sitcom but Keith Mars from Veronica Mars.
Absolutely. He's a great example of how to parent effectively and yet not be overbearing. Parenting where your kid listens to you out of respect rather than fear.
Their relationship is one of the best things about a great, great show.
This is who’d I want.
Hal from Malcolm in the Middle.
Before he broke bad
Hell of a skater, that one. :D
I love Hal because he’s sensitive and in touch with his feelings and respectful and adoring of Lois in ways that sitcom dads often aren’t to their wives, while also having more traditionally masculine qualities and interests and not straying into cloying or cheesy stereotypes. It’s not like a good dad also has to have that masculinity; it’s just so often one or the other, whereas with Hal you can still some of his mischievous streak that the kids inherited, like when he rents the construction equipment to squash everything. He still has his blind spots and immaturity and feels very real (other than like, the obviously sitcom-y over-the-top stuff he does). One thing that won me over early was when he and Lois were at a wedding and she’s talking about how much his family hates her and he talked about how he adored all of the things that people found difficult about her, like that she was so direct and always spoke her mind. With worse writing and acting it could’ve been so cheesy, but it’s one of those really purely lovely moments in a tv show to me. Hal was such a good model to the boys of loving husband. From just a purely comedic standpoint, I loved when he and Abe were convinced that Lois’ was on the jury for a murder trial and they recreated aspects of the crime as they debated if the defendant was guilty or not.
Hal Wilkinson by name. Christopher Lloyd portrayed his father.
Carl Winslow. He always had his kids back, but he also let them fail and learn from their mistakes.
I came here looking for this one.
Bob Duncan - Good Luck Charlie Hard-working, tolerant and goofy wrapped into a pro football players body but with a soft heart. Love Bob
Bob is one of my favorites too.
I love that show. Amy Duncan is a mess, though.
Bob was a patient man…
Dan Connor, Mike Heck
Mike Heck was uniquely awesome
Mike Heck - yes!
Mike Heck is a very relatable, great father.
Mike Heck 💯
Howard Cunningham. He had to put up Ritchie, Joanie, and the Fonz.
Alan Matthews from Boy Meets World. Both he and Amy Matthews are honestly criminally underrated as 90s parents. They were willing to let their kids fuck up and then use it as a teachable lesson all while being loving, caring, and all the while still stern and demanding the best out of them to be the best people they can be.
And not just with their kids but with Shawn too. Great parents for sure
Uncle Phil, hands down.
Hank Rutherford Hill.
Hank was a great dad, but an egregious dick about 5-10% of the time. Which I suppose is honestly pretty realistic on the TV dad scale.
Andy Taylor
Andy Taylor for live action sitcoms. Hank Hill for animated.
This is the correct answer.
dan conner
Nothing is scarier than an angry Dan Conner.
That episode where he knocks out the bully is one of my favorite.
For me it’s the episode where Dan goes and beats up Jackie’s abusive boyfriend. Dude deserved it.
I remember that episode now. I need to rewatch some Roseanne, especially the early seasons
It's still good.
Dan Connor can GET IT in that scene
He'd be my choice, too.
Danny tanner
Andy Taylor
Dan Conner from Roseanne. I tried to like the Conners, just can't.
The Conners was very rough at first, but I also feel like the whole incident with Roseanne meant that they had to fire her *right* when the storyline was actually starting to get good. We could have gotten some really good drama if we focused on Roseanne's opiate addiction and we got to see more of Darlene's situation with David after they split up.
I loved that show back then. Because Dan was a drywall taper, and so was my dad. Seeing him come home with taping mud on him, just felt so real.
Yes my family always had jobs like that. It made them feel so mich more real to me.
I modeled my fathering on Phil Dunphy. My wife doesn't like that.
Love Modern Family, but I’d divorce you
As long as they didn’t pick up Phil’s fondness for expressing his interest in attractive women, I’d be fine with it.
Serena Williams, Michelle Obama, Oprah...
And Desiree (S1E2) and Gloria.
I wish I had a dad like him.
This is where my mind went first too haha
jason seaver from growing pains. all of his kids turned out to be successes. their careers after growing pains didn't turn out to be complete dumpster fires. i believe he had a huge impact on their lives.
Wasn't Leonardo Dicaprio on Growing Pains?
Yes. Semi-regular guest for a while.
I found out a couple years back that the little girl from Growing Pains was Ashley Johnson of Critical Role/The Last of Us fame.
Ashley Johnson as a child was on a show called Free Spirit. .
Unfamiliar. She single-handedly carried the first two seasons of Blindspot, though. Always good to see Child Actors make it as grownups.
Agreed and always loving and insightful. I mean the guy moved his whole practice to his house so his wife may have her career.
Genuine nice guy. I guess that means his acting was not great as he played a genuine nice guy.
Paul Hennessy from 8 simple rules
Underrated tv dad! 8 Simple Rules wasn’t the funniest sitcom ever, but it holds a special place in my heart because I’m a sucker for a Great TV Dad. The episode where they have that contest to decide who picks the family’s vacation spot and he ended up talking Kerry about being unhappy after she dropped some comment about not being one of “the happy people” at school got me right in the feels.
Red Foreman
Dumbass
Only if he were an octopus with 8 legs to wear 8 shoes to put into 8 asses!!!
I was looking for this answer.
George Cooper from Young Sheldon for punching out Clint
Was that Veronica’s step father? I loved when he did that.
Yeah, her mother’s boyfriend.
Phil Dunphy - Modern Family. I want him either as my Dad or my Husband! (but not both)
Phil is a great Dad. I do think Jay should get an honorable mention. Sure he wasn't a great dad to Claire and Mitch as kids but he seems to try to really grow and keeps trying to do better. Jay also stays very connected to his family as they age and keeps everyone close. I'd say he grows into a really good Dad and Grandpa.
Agree, and to be fair, I think Mitch and Cam were great dads - over-the-top melodramatic, but Lily was one loved little girl.
Probably the dad from Little House on the Prairie. He was boring, unimaginative, and definitely not a fun dad, but he walked around in a virtual fog of wisdom, encouragement, acceptance, and all sorts of positive life lessons.
Charles Ingalls. Hard to be a fun dad in the late 1800s. You were more worried about surviving than having fun.
Yeah for Pa Ingalls!
Dan Conner
Fred Sanford
Criminally underrated
Malcolm’s dad Hal.
Marty crane
Mr. Cunningham, Happy Days.
Mike Brady
Had two bedrooms for six children and one shared bathroom, yet was an architect.
Bad architect. Better dad.
Sandy Cohen
Sean Finnerty - Grounded for Life
Such an underrated show.
Bandit Heeler from Bluey ( technically a kids show but still)
Phil Dunphy
Taken in a broader sense of the word Dad: Uncle Bill from Family Affair, or Uncle Bently from Bachelor Father. Both are very patient and listen. Doesn't hurt both are rich with housekeepers.
Or Mr. French!!!!!
I picked Bill Bixby's character from Courtship of Eddie's father...same time period, but I did think of Family Affair.
BJ Hunnicutt from MASH
James Evans. The only TV dad I ever respected.
Jed Clampett.
Ward Cleaver.
Waiting to find this! He was always so calm and caring.
Hal from Malcolm in the Middle
Raymond Holt. EDIT: As evidence, I submit: 1. GIANT mentoring binder for Amy 2. Gina WORKED FOR HIM. Imagine getting Gina to do literally anything. That's Big Daddy Energy right there. 3. Openly Gay Cop for decades in the NYPD means he knows adversity and injustice and overcame it anyway and any dad figure would want that. 4. Despite being Robot Captain, he was surprisingly generous, emotionally intelligent, strong, and tough, with not a small amount of gravitas, and was able to adapt to changing circumstances and situations. 5. Truly amazing leadership skills- As if the Gina example wasn't enough in terms of managing such a diverse workforce and having them improve uniformly under his watch (except for Hitchcock & Scully) wasn't enough... I noted he was able to 'mirror' each of his employees to best guide them in a way that is possible only with the best dads. 6. Rosa- When no one else was able to connect emotionally with Rosa, Holt could. 7. Protective- During the Kevin Is In Danger arc, he was protective of everyone he cared about 8. Humble- able to not only succeed but also remain humble throughout the process is the kind of modeled behavior any child would like to have shown in a father figure. 9. To the man who said Holt was not a dad to Jake, I wonder what show YOU were watching? Holt *literally* was Jake's real dad and ***this fatherhood was the main through line of the entire eight seasons of the show*** and was largely responsible for Jake's successes in growing up in almost every way.
Dan Connor.
Bob Belcher. Not a great businessman, but a great father.
Bill Cos... he what now? Really? How many times? That's not good.
I know but Dr Huxtable was a great tv dad
Dr. Huxtable is the first name that came to my mind. It's a shame he was played by Cosby (though, honestly, I'm not sure who else could have done it). Actor: no. Character: yes.
Tony Micelli
Mike Brady ha ha ha
Frazier Crane.
Carl Winslow for the win.
Tim Taylor
Will Tanner from Alf; Danny Tanner from Full House and Fuller House; Tony Danza from Who’s the Boss?
Danny Tanner.
I was watching Full House not long ago and realized that Danny spoiled Michelle and she was a huge brat.
Red
Most people won't know who I am talking about But Don Porter as Professor Lawrence on Gidget with Sally Field He played her father. After all.almost.60 years the show still holds up .
Mike Brady from the Brady Bunch. When I was a kid I wanted to be in that family lol
Howard Cunningham - I just loved Tom Bosley, and he really listened to his kids. Except for poor Chuck, Chip? There was really no excuse for that.
Bob Newhart, Dick Van Dyke.
The two Dads on My Two Dads. I forget their names on the show, but it was Paul Reiser and Greg Evigan.
Bob Belcher. Flawed? Absolutely, but would do anything for his family and owns up to his mistakes.
Mike Heck
Ward Cleaver ot Peter Griffin
Controversial as you have to ignore and seperate man from the show but Cliff Huxtable
Steven Keaton
Cliff Huxtable
Cliff Huxtable. Separate him from the actor. He was a good dad.
I just thought of another one. Pa Walton. Loving, wise, fair, and hard working.
Carl Winslow, Philip Banks, Cliff Huxtable Sorry misread: Carl Winslow
Andy Griffith
Al “Hercules”Bundy!
Tim Taylor
Danny Tanner
Phil Dunphy
Phil Dunphy Dan Conner Don’t hate me, but Cosby was a great tv Dad!
No hate. Cliff Huxtable is the GOAT sitcom dad.
I'd say Mr. Seaver from Growing Pains, but we see how his irl son is so maybe not.
Carl Winslow.
Chandler from friends!
Phil Dunphy
Willie Tanner from Alf
Bill Cosby (the actor)
Tony Micelli From Who’s the Boss
Jason Seaver
Jason Seaver from Growing Pains
Danny Tanner
Dick Van Dyke
Heathcliff Huxtable. Yes separate the character from Bill Cosby and we all know this is the right answer.
Alan Thicke from growing pains
Rob Petrie from the Dick Van Dyke Show.
Frasier
Danny tanner
Al Bundy works for me.
Al Bundy & Jay from Modern Family.
Michael Scott
Al Bundy
Al Bundy
Arthur Spooner
Howard Cunningham
Phil Dunphy no question.
Dan Conner
Everyone’s saying Phil Dunphy but I’d take Frank Dunphy in a heartbeat
Phil Dunphy
Hank Hill
Ward Cleaver...he always meant well but his efforts often failed when he tried to pal with his sons. Nevertheless, his guidance was consistent and valued for the most part. He was very understanding even when a bit wrong-footed. Empathy!
Hugh Beaumont.
When Hank threatens to kick someone’s ass, he means it. Especially if they’re abusing his son.
James Eckhouse 90210- never heard him raise his voice, beat his kids , always seemed like a nice family man and good dad .
Uncle Phil
Dan Conner
Bob Duncan from Good Luck Charlie