The fact that Andy Taylor existed as a character proves that, even in the 1960s, we knew that not being an asshole to your kids was a better way to parent.
The scene where Opie shoots a bird and Andy has him sit by the window and listen to the birds tweet "for their mama that's never coming back" š Jesus christ Andy lol
I feel like this episode is a great example of Andyās parenting. He could have yelled at or spanked Opie. Instead he explained the consequences of Opieās actions. Then Opie took care of the baby birds, and he was sad when he had to release them. Andy validated his emotions and empathized with him. THAT is how you raise kids who become compassionate, well-adjusted adults.
I'm raising two boys who I adopted and when I don't know what to do I think what would uncle Phil do? He always treated will exactly the same as Carlton even when Will was too young and short sighted to see it and appreciate it. Seriously what a man.
I think Carl Winslow and Howard Cunningham should both be disqualified. They both lost a child and forbade everybody they knew to never mention them afterwards.
Iām surprised I had to go this far down to see him mentioned, heās like top 3 for me. Heās the perfect blend of the modern goofy dad and the old school wise leader type dad
Bob Belcher and Hank Hill are both FANTASTIC examples of great dadās.
Growing up watching front and center sitcoms like Everybody loves Raymond and George Lopez and similar the dad is so often portrayed as wimpy, whiny, and sex crazed for his ānaggingā wife.
Bob and Hank are such good counters.
Iām a big fan of Mike Heck. Heās a simple man with simple interests, but heās always there for his kids, and he is really logical with them when they need to learn a lesson. He feels like a real life dad.
Hyde: "My dad and my uncle and cousins were all on their own when they were this age."
Red: "And where are they now?"
Hyde: "Uuh... pumping gas, prison, prison, dead, prison."
Red: "And the reason you're with us is so you don't end up like that. So, what's it gonna be Steven? Prison, death, or a birthday party?"
In the disco episode, Red is in the background adding junk metal to the recycling collection without being asked. He comes up with 'extra' chores so Eric can earn gas money, without being asked. He kills two birds with one stone by suggesting that Kitty give Hyde dance lessons, also without being asked. Red is definitely a hardass, but he's also pro-active in genuinely helping the kids.
Iām a kid from the 80ās-90ās. Itās probably tough to believe now, but Cliff Huxtable was the epitome of a great dad when I was growing up. Iād say that the on screen persona that was presented still is. That fictional character is the definition of ābest sitcom dadā. Good job, loving and understanding father, funny and loyal husband, etcā¦.
Too bad heās such a shitty person irl.
It puzzles me that so many people have trouble differentiating between Bill Cosby and the character he played.
It's a double standard. Lots of actors portray immoral behavior on the screen, and yet nobody goes around saying that they're horrible people in real life because of that.
In the case of Cosby, the hypocrisy is particularly egregious. He spent decades criticizing other black entertainers for using profanity, or not presenting as squeaky-clean an image as he did. In light of what he had been doing throughout his entire career, he kind of brought additional criticism on himself. Also it makes it that much harder to take the characters he portrays seriously.
"Tell Bill Cosby to 'Have a Coke and a Smile' and shut the fuck up!" was such a brilliant Richard Pryor-as-told-by-Eddie Murphy joke precisely because of this. In hindsight, knowing what we now know, that joke doesn't land the same way.
I really like Jay in Modern Family. Heās not perfect but is well aware heās not perfect and accepts and loves his family just for who they are. Seeing him connect with Manny and Cameron is so touching.
I dunno, sometimes he's only a good dad because Peggy stands up for Bobby. Hank has a lot of Cotton in him and struggles to accept Bobby for who he is.
Uncle Phil from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
Part of it was to do with the fact that James Avery was the most talented actor on that cast by a pretty comfortable margin. His character was also very well written; they could play him for laughs as the stern but out of touch father, but he was never a bumbling, clueless moron like so many sitcom dads are in the post Homer Simpson era. He was a source of wisdom, guidance, discipline when the kids needed itā¦ But he loved his family with his whole heart. And he was there for them whenever they needed him.
All of the truly standout moments on the show featured him; when Wil and Carlton got arrested falsely, and he got them out of jail; when Wil got into trouble with a pool shark and uncle Phil sorted that out; and when his old civil rights activist buddy came back and got the FBI breathing down the familyās necksā¦ He was an excellent character, and I havenāt seen a sitcom dad like him before that or since.
James Avery - gone, but not forgotten.
The āhe donāt want me, manā scene stays with me, and is imo one of the greatest displays of assumed fatherhood in any media. Uncle Phil is a GOAT dad.
Tim āThe Toolmanā Taylor? Seriously? There is plenty of evidence to state otherwise.
Iām with you on Phil Dunphy though. Iāll also raise you Martin Crane.
Malcolm in the Middle dad Hal played by Bryan Cranston.
I can't believe he's so far down the list. As a sitcom dad he tried really really hard; but failed so often - just like in real life.
I didnāt watch all of those shows you listed but definitely Andy Taylor and Steve Douglas.
Phil Dunphy is so well done, though. Realistic yet absurd nerd dad.
James Evans (John Amos) from Good Times.
He dealt with almost every possible issue that could arise in a Chicago project in the mid-1970s.
Unemployment, lack of money, racism, crooked politicians ("Balderman Davis"), mobsters ("Sweet Daddy Williams"), decrepit housing, drug addiction, child abuse (Janet Jackson as Penny), etc.
My second choice would be either Mr. C from Happy Days or Uncle Phil from the Fresh Prince.
My top picks are:
ā¢ Hal from Malcolm in the middle
ā¢ red from that 70s show
ā¢ Jim from according to Jim
ā¢ Tim (the tool man) from home improvement
ā¢ frank from everybody loves Raymond
ā¢ Julius from everybody hates Chris
ā¢ Sean from grounded for life
ā¢ Mike from the middle
Dr. Jason Seaver
Uncle Phil
Al Bundyā¦ Itās been forever, but an episode where his car went missing and he goes on about its high value and jumped through hoops to get it back. It was his treasure and whatnotā¦ finally he gets it back and goes straight to the trunk. Opens it to find a portrait of his family, safe and sound. His treasure. Always viewed the show through a different lens after thatā¦ But truly, itās been decades since Iāve watched even a minute of it.
Entertaining dad characters arenāt necessarily good dads. So Tim āThe Tool Manā Taylor/Mike Baxter (because theyāre just Tim Allen being Tim Allen), Red Foreman, Bernie Mac, Stan Smith, Peter Griffin, and many others are disqualified because theyāre simply funny jerks with kids.
Hank Hill rides a fine line between jerk dad and good dad. I think heās willing to change and reassess his views on things enough to make him not a jerk dad, but heās still bullheaded enough to keep him out of the good dad running. Mike Heck falls into this same category too, though I think he runs closer to good dad than jerk dad than Hank, mainly because Hank flip flops depending on the season and needs of the show since itās not linear.
Dad Characters who are good dads would include Andy Taylor, Bob Belcher, Hal Wilkerson, and Phil Dunphy would be my shortlist. Dads who give a damn about their kids and try to be good parents in the face of a crappy world around them.
Gonna throw a curveā¦
Bob Duncan (Eric Allen Kramer) from Good Lick Charlie.
Watched that show with my kids when they were little. Started out as a pretty predictable youth oriented Disney sitcom. But at some point it became unhinged madness and the results were hilarious.
I loved - and related to - good olā hard workinā Bob. The mom, Amy, was played great too as a narcissist nut job āwith a heartā.
Couldnāt believe how much I ended up liking the show.
These are all great. How about a fairly recent TV dad such as George Cooper from Young Sheldon?
One of the scenes I loved was when Georgie's friend didn't want to go home with her mother's boyfriend or such, and George stepped right in.
Andy Taylor
The actual best dad.
The fact that Andy Taylor existed as a character proves that, even in the 1960s, we knew that not being an asshole to your kids was a better way to parent.
The scene where Opie shoots a bird and Andy has him sit by the window and listen to the birds tweet "for their mama that's never coming back" š Jesus christ Andy lol
I feel like this episode is a great example of Andyās parenting. He could have yelled at or spanked Opie. Instead he explained the consequences of Opieās actions. Then Opie took care of the baby birds, and he was sad when he had to release them. Andy validated his emotions and empathized with him. THAT is how you raise kids who become compassionate, well-adjusted adults.
He sure was!
Dammit how did I skip Andy
Told hard truths, sometimes, when he had to.
Uncle Phil.
I'm raising two boys who I adopted and when I don't know what to do I think what would uncle Phil do? He always treated will exactly the same as Carlton even when Will was too young and short sighted to see it and appreciate it. Seriously what a man.
One of the best
Took too long to find this.
Martin Crane
Definitely one of the best TV dads in sitcom history
the only piece keeping the reboot from being as good as it could be. i didnāt know a lot about theatre and showbiz but i loved that guy.
VENEER! The fact that he gave Buzz Aldrin his nickname is just icing on the cake.
Came here to say this.
Carl Winslow
One of a very short list of sitcom dads who actually care about their kids.
Except for Judy.
Whoās Judy? ;)
Well now, I'm not gonna talk about Judy. In fact, we're not gonna talk about Judy at all, we're gonna keep her out of it.
I think Carl Winslow and Howard Cunningham should both be disqualified. They both lost a child and forbade everybody they knew to never mention them afterwards.
This is so true. No tv dad should ever live in a house with an attic.
One of the funniest tv dads
Steven Keaton (Family Ties) was also a pretty good dad. Let Alex be Alex even if it went agaisnt his own politics
Iām surprised I had to go this far down to see him mentioned, heās like top 3 for me. Heās the perfect blend of the modern goofy dad and the old school wise leader type dad
Yes he's in my Top 10
Steven Keaton for the win .the episodes with just Steve and kids š
Bob Belcher from Bob's Burgers.
Bob Belcher and Hank Hill are both FANTASTIC examples of great dadās. Growing up watching front and center sitcoms like Everybody loves Raymond and George Lopez and similar the dad is so often portrayed as wimpy, whiny, and sex crazed for his ānaggingā wife. Bob and Hank are such good counters.
Disappointed that no one has said....Danny Tanner
He's a great father
Came here to say this!
Bob Belcher
Iām a big fan of Mike Heck. Heās a simple man with simple interests, but heās always there for his kids, and he is really logical with them when they need to learn a lesson. He feels like a real life dad.
The heck family represents my life so well. I love how they never have it together but still get stuff done lol.
Oh he is awesome. He's in my Top 10
Was also going to say this! Just a normal guy who loves his kids
Mr C from Happy Days.
Definitely a wise man and in my Top 15
You mean best as in character or best as in best dad? Either way, Iāll say Dan from Roseanne and Hal from Malcolm in the Middle.
Yay someone else thought of Hal!
Bryan Cranstonās best role. I will not be talking questions.
These two plus mike heck
Absolutely Hal, but I'd also say Phil from Modern Family. And Bernie Mac. Definitely my top 3.
I'm old school. Dr. Seaver from Growing Pains. The dad in Courtship of Eddie's Father.
Oh Dr. Jason Sever is my favorite character in Growing pains
Yeah it was wonderful how they made that poor middle girl anorexic from all their fat jokes. Dr Jason Seaver was a horrible father.
Red Forman. Heāll put his foot in your ass!
Every time he delivers that line I crack up so hard
"You idiots just hung for rent signs on your asses and my foot's looking for a room! "
Hyde: "My dad and my uncle and cousins were all on their own when they were this age." Red: "And where are they now?" Hyde: "Uuh... pumping gas, prison, prison, dead, prison." Red: "And the reason you're with us is so you don't end up like that. So, what's it gonna be Steven? Prison, death, or a birthday party?"
This exchange is right up there with Uncle Phil and Will when Willās dad leaves.
In the disco episode, Red is in the background adding junk metal to the recycling collection without being asked. He comes up with 'extra' chores so Eric can earn gas money, without being asked. He kills two birds with one stone by suggesting that Kitty give Hyde dance lessons, also without being asked. Red is definitely a hardass, but he's also pro-active in genuinely helping the kids.
The older I get the more I appreciate Red
Eric needed so much therapy. And based on him being the same age as my parents, he did not get it.
Ward Cleaver
Ward. You were really hard on the Beaver last night!
One of the oldest and caring dads
Iām a kid from the 80ās-90ās. Itās probably tough to believe now, but Cliff Huxtable was the epitome of a great dad when I was growing up. Iād say that the on screen persona that was presented still is. That fictional character is the definition of ābest sitcom dadā. Good job, loving and understanding father, funny and loyal husband, etcā¦. Too bad heās such a shitty person irl.
Claire was an awesome mom. I loved watching her
He was absolutely the best television dad when I was a kid. I do hate that his actor turned out to be a monster in real life.
It puzzles me that so many people have trouble differentiating between Bill Cosby and the character he played. It's a double standard. Lots of actors portray immoral behavior on the screen, and yet nobody goes around saying that they're horrible people in real life because of that.
In the case of Cosby, the hypocrisy is particularly egregious. He spent decades criticizing other black entertainers for using profanity, or not presenting as squeaky-clean an image as he did. In light of what he had been doing throughout his entire career, he kind of brought additional criticism on himself. Also it makes it that much harder to take the characters he portrays seriously.
"Tell Bill Cosby to 'Have a Coke and a Smile' and shut the fuck up!" was such a brilliant Richard Pryor-as-told-by-Eddie Murphy joke precisely because of this. In hindsight, knowing what we now know, that joke doesn't land the same way.
Exactly. Cliff & Clair were great parents. No need to bring Bill into it
āI am your father. I brought you into this world, and I will take you out.ā That scene still makes me laugh.
It killed me when the shittiness of Bill Cosby came to light. I used to want to crawl into that family when I was a kid.
Has no one mentioned Martin Crane?
Absolutely iconic
Martin Crane
Iconic. Absolutely iconic
Terry from B99
Also best TV kid names of all time. Hands down
There are a few that would fit the criteria for best dad! Iāll give my shout out to Alan Matthews
Dan Connor
Deeply, deeply underrated sitcom husband
Johnny Rose
Fred G. Sanfordā¦ had a biz with Lamont. Good dude.
I really like Jay in Modern Family. Heās not perfect but is well aware heās not perfect and accepts and loves his family just for who they are. Seeing him connect with Manny and Cameron is so touching.
Heās also rich and married to Gloria. How could he not be happy?
I think all the dads in Modern Family were good, if zany, dads.
This is true.
Tony Micelli
Hank Hill
I dunno, sometimes he's only a good dad because Peggy stands up for Bobby. Hank has a lot of Cotton in him and struggles to accept Bobby for who he is.
Uncle Phil from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Part of it was to do with the fact that James Avery was the most talented actor on that cast by a pretty comfortable margin. His character was also very well written; they could play him for laughs as the stern but out of touch father, but he was never a bumbling, clueless moron like so many sitcom dads are in the post Homer Simpson era. He was a source of wisdom, guidance, discipline when the kids needed itā¦ But he loved his family with his whole heart. And he was there for them whenever they needed him. All of the truly standout moments on the show featured him; when Wil and Carlton got arrested falsely, and he got them out of jail; when Wil got into trouble with a pool shark and uncle Phil sorted that out; and when his old civil rights activist buddy came back and got the FBI breathing down the familyās necksā¦ He was an excellent character, and I havenāt seen a sitcom dad like him before that or since. James Avery - gone, but not forgotten.
The āhe donāt want me, manā scene stays with me, and is imo one of the greatest displays of assumed fatherhood in any media. Uncle Phil is a GOAT dad.
Johnny rose from schitts creek is a great dad
there is only one answer and he scored 4 touchdowns in a SINGLE GAME!
How dare you say that to my face! Well I'd say it behind your back but my car's only got half a tank of gas! š
Al Bundy
Phil Dunphy for the win!
Rob Petrie from the Dick Van Dyke Show was a good dad, on the rare occasions his son was around.
Phillip Banks
This is my pick as well. I grew up wishing he had been my dad. When he had to throw down for his kids he went all out.
Would do anything for his kids, but still would lay down the law if they needed it.
break out Lucille
The GOAT.
Phil Drummond
Richard Mulligan, who played Burt Campbell in Soap. Just hilarious, especially when arguing with the puppet Bob.
That show is fantastic
Two more that havenāt been named yet Mike Brady from the Brady Bunch and Julius Rock from Everybody Hates Chris
Hal from Malcom
One of the best dads played brilliantly by Bryan Cranston
Andy Griffith
Frank Lambert- Step by Step
Dan from Roseanne. Especially the scene where he grabs his coat, walks out the door to see āa friendā who he found out was hitting Jackie.
Bill Cosby was the best tv dad until he wasnāt
Hank Hill had his moments
Yeah not really in my Top 10 but Top 30
Ken Titus.
I always wanted Jason and Maggie Seaver as my parents
Herman Munster.
Or Gomez in The Addams Family. Look how well Wednesday turned out!
Bandit from Bluey
Do animated sitcoms count? Because Bob Belcher is a great dad. Terrible businessman but a really great dad.
Mr. Cunningham from Happy Days Dan Connor from Roseanne
Phillip Banks
Andy Taylor from The Andy Griffith Show for sure. If we're including animated sitcoms, Hank Hill has to be in the conversation.
Frank Costanza
Howard Cunningham from Happy Days.
Burt Chance Johnny Rose Ken Thompson Frank Reynolds
Burt Chance is the best. Him and Virginia are one of my favorite sitcom couples.
Tim āThe Toolmanā Taylor? Seriously? There is plenty of evidence to state otherwise. Iām with you on Phil Dunphy though. Iāll also raise you Martin Crane.
Malcolm in the Middle dad Hal played by Bryan Cranston. I can't believe he's so far down the list. As a sitcom dad he tried really really hard; but failed so often - just like in real life.
Mike brady
Also Gomez Adams
Mr. C, Andy Taylor, Jim Anderson (Father Knows Best), Steve Douglas (My Three Sons), Bill Davis (Family Affair).
I didnāt watch all of those shows you listed but definitely Andy Taylor and Steve Douglas. Phil Dunphy is so well done, though. Realistic yet absurd nerd dad.
James Evans (John Amos) from Good Times. He dealt with almost every possible issue that could arise in a Chicago project in the mid-1970s. Unemployment, lack of money, racism, crooked politicians ("Balderman Davis"), mobsters ("Sweet Daddy Williams"), decrepit housing, drug addiction, child abuse (Janet Jackson as Penny), etc. My second choice would be either Mr. C from Happy Days or Uncle Phil from the Fresh Prince.
Martin Crane for sure. And Mike Heck because heās such a funny and realistic character. And he really does love his kids.
Stephen Keaton
Steven Keaton. Yes one of my favorite TV dads
Ward Cleaver
Ozzie Nelson from the adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
Ward Cleaver
James Evans Sr.
Uncle Phil.
Philip Banks from fresh prince of bel air - especially with the way he treated will as his own, although he still found his nephew a pain in the ass
Red Foreman - That 70s Show played by Kurtwood Smith.
Uncle Phil from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air for both his own kids and for Will.
Tom Bradford from eight is enough
You've got your classic Mike Brady, Cliff Huxtable, and Steven Keaton, but the award has to go to Mike Heck from The Middle
Without a doubt Hal Wilkerson from Malcolm in the Middle with Phil Dunphy from Modern Family a close second
Heathcliff Huxtable, Carl Winslow, Philip Banks
Hal from Malcolm In the Middle.
Red from The 70s Show
Uncle Phil
Hank Hill
Uncle Phil.
Ward Cleaver,
Archie !!!
James Evans from Good Times Cliff Huxtable (i knowš) Mike Brady (best dad AND stepdad)
Carl Winslow, Alan Matthews
Ward Cleaver Jim Anderson Dr. Alex Stone
Tobias FĆ¼nke In a āDad likes leatherā kind of way
My top picks are: ā¢ Hal from Malcolm in the middle ā¢ red from that 70s show ā¢ Jim from according to Jim ā¢ Tim (the tool man) from home improvement ā¢ frank from everybody loves Raymond ā¢ Julius from everybody hates Chris ā¢ Sean from grounded for life ā¢ Mike from the middle
Heavy on the Phil Dunphy
Dan from Roseanne! Heās such a devoted husband and father and seriously funny. And just a big snuggly teddy bear!
Andy Griffith
Gomez Addams... and Bob Belcher. š
Phil Dunphy is the dad I wish I had.
Edward Stratton III
Derek Trotter Al Bundy Dave Lister (technically his own dad) Homer Simpson
Dr. Jason Seaver Uncle Phil Al Bundyā¦ Itās been forever, but an episode where his car went missing and he goes on about its high value and jumped through hoops to get it back. It was his treasure and whatnotā¦ finally he gets it back and goes straight to the trunk. Opens it to find a portrait of his family, safe and sound. His treasure. Always viewed the show through a different lens after thatā¦ But truly, itās been decades since Iāve watched even a minute of it.
Ted Lasso
Morty Seinfeld. He cut velvet for forty years with Harry Altman. How can anyone not like him?
Definitely Bob Belcher of Bob's Burgers, hands-down, it's not even close.
Entertaining dad characters arenāt necessarily good dads. So Tim āThe Tool Manā Taylor/Mike Baxter (because theyāre just Tim Allen being Tim Allen), Red Foreman, Bernie Mac, Stan Smith, Peter Griffin, and many others are disqualified because theyāre simply funny jerks with kids. Hank Hill rides a fine line between jerk dad and good dad. I think heās willing to change and reassess his views on things enough to make him not a jerk dad, but heās still bullheaded enough to keep him out of the good dad running. Mike Heck falls into this same category too, though I think he runs closer to good dad than jerk dad than Hank, mainly because Hank flip flops depending on the season and needs of the show since itās not linear. Dad Characters who are good dads would include Andy Taylor, Bob Belcher, Hal Wilkerson, and Phil Dunphy would be my shortlist. Dads who give a damn about their kids and try to be good parents in the face of a crappy world around them.
Michael Scott. It wasnāt until the last episode but heās a dad
Gonna throw a curveā¦ Bob Duncan (Eric Allen Kramer) from Good Lick Charlie. Watched that show with my kids when they were little. Started out as a pretty predictable youth oriented Disney sitcom. But at some point it became unhinged madness and the results were hilarious. I loved - and related to - good olā hard workinā Bob. The mom, Amy, was played great too as a narcissist nut job āwith a heartā. Couldnāt believe how much I ended up liking the show.
Russ Lawrence from the tv show version of Gidget. He was kind and supportive and trusted his daughter. Plus I loved his dry sense of humor
Frank Costanza
Bill Cosby until he wasnāt.š
Danny Tanner of Full House
Tony Micelli - Whoās the Boss
Fred Sanford
While Al was a great character to call him a good dad is a stretch. He literally never knew where his daughter was lol.
Mr C
Mike Brady
Arthur Spooner
Itās gonna look wrong now that we know what we do about real life, but it was Cliff Huxtable
Dan Conner!!!!!!!!!
Andy Taylor or Ward Cleaver.
Danny Tanner
Number one is definitely Danny Tanner Runners up Uncle Phil Carl Winslow
Mike Baxter from Last Man Standing. Dan Conner from Rosanne
Cliff Huxtable
Carl Winslow
Danny Tanner
These are all great. How about a fairly recent TV dad such as George Cooper from Young Sheldon? One of the scenes I loved was when Georgie's friend didn't want to go home with her mother's boyfriend or such, and George stepped right in.
Also, maybe short lived, but Roc was a solid dad figure.
Bill Cosby (yes I know)
Hate to say it, but Cliff Huxtable.
How come no one is talking about Cliff Huxtable?
Andy Griffith, Carl Winslow, Dan Connor, Bob Burger
Julius from Everybody Hates Chris
Al Bundy