The 10 best TV dads

While unscripted dads will always be our #1, let’s take a moment to celebrate and pay tribute to the fathers who unwittingly raised us: the TV dads.

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#10: Jack Pearson (Milo Ventimiglia, This Is Us)

There’s no TV dad we learned more from than Jack’s complicated life and ultimately tragic conclusion in This Is Us. His family story is rife with both heartbreak and beauty, and if you somehow haven’t already heard how his chapter ends, we won’t spoil it for you here. If there is one lesson Jack taught us, it’s to throw away that old crock pot.

Where to watch: NBC

#9: Philip Banks (James Avery, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)

When the Fresh Prince was up to no good in his hometown of Philadelphia, we all know where his mom sent him: to his Auntie and Uncle in Bel Air. He thought he landed on easy street with his wealthy extended family, but it turns out that the real wealth Smith would gain came in the form of a life lesson learned every week. Many of those lessons came from big-hearted, understanding Uncle Phil played by James Avery, who sadly passed away in 2013.

Where to watch: Roku Vudu Store

#8: Phil Dunphy (Ty Burrell, Modern Family)

Phil would most definitely describe himself as a “cool dad.” Which of course means that he was most definitely anything but. Nevertheless, for all his cringe-worthy attempts to relate to his three teenage children, the advice he had to impart was always priceless…and usually hilarious, too.

Where to watch: Peacock

#7: Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta, The Simpsons)

There’s little doubt that Homer Simpson is the king of all dads. He’s been “D’oh-ing” his way into our hearts for 33 seasons, making The Simpsons the longest running sitcom of all time. Throughout the years, he’s evolved from a brutish, Bart-choking oaf to arguably becoming the focal point of the show, which is a true testament to our love for all things Homer.

Where to watch: Disney+

#6: Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights)

Coach Taylor’s tough love and sage advice was more than enough to turn a Football-adverse viewer into a die-hard fan of Friday Night Lights. A father figure to his team and his own family, he offered a field of wisdom. Maybe none more valuable than this memorable quote: “Every man at some point in his life is going to lose a battle. He is going to fight and he is going to lose. But what makes him a man is at the midst of that battle he does not lose himself. This game is not over, this battle is not over.”

Where to watch: Free on Peacock

#5 Al Bundy (Ed O’Neill, Married with Children)

Ok, maybe he’s not the “best” dad ever, but Al Bundy was certainly one of the most memorable. Rude, vulgar, and mercilessly beaten down by the world, poor Al still somehow managed to do the right thing most of the time, making for a decent dad at the end of the day. Bonus points to Ed O’Neill who easily could have been on this list twice as Modern Family’s Jay Pritchett.

Where to watch: Hulu

#4: Carl Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson, Family Matters)

Though the fan-favorite character during the original run of Family Matters was undoubtedly the lovable dweeb neighbor Steve Urkel, it’s the compassionate guidance of hard-working father Carl Winslow that has stayed with us through the years. As the moral compass at the center of Family Matters, he’s what made the show the crown jewel of a classic TGIF lineup.

Where to watch: HBO Max

#3: Tim Taylor (Tim Allen, Home Improvement)

If we had to pick one dad from this list to teach us how to do basic home repairs, it’s definitely NOT the well-meaning but always bumbling Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor. For that, we’ll seek the advice of his Tool Time co-host, Al Borland. Nevertheless, the always funny, always caring TV dad from Home Improvement shared plenty wisdom between grunting the specs of his power tools.

Where to watch: Roku Vudu Store

#2: Adam Braverman (Peter Krause, Parenthood)

Based on the 1989 film of the same name, Adam Braverman

Arguably the main character of Six Feet Under, Nate Fischer begins the series wandering aimlessly through life. After the death of his father, he reluctantly inherits, along with his brother, the family business. Nate learns the value of carrying on the legacy of Fisher & Sons—the funeral home his father started and abandoned years prior—and the importance of bonding with your family through the ups and downs. (Plus, Krause was on Parenthood, after all.)

#1: Danny Tanner (Bob Saget, Full House)

With the recent and unexpected passing of Bob Saget in 2022, Full House’s Danny Tanner lands the #1 slot. Aside from providing a sense of normalcy to a chaotic multi-family home, Bob also beamed wholesomeness into our homes every week hosting America’s Funniest Home Videos. His fatherly demeanor made him the king of primetime TV. Thank you, Bob, for all the laughs. You’ll truly be missed.

Where to watch: HBO Max

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Happy Streaming!