When it comes to TV shows, one of the characters we love to be strong, kind and good is the dad. For me, it also helps if he’s a genuine leader. Sadly, most television shows don’t depict this, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still find a few to love or find funny. Today, in honor of Father’s Day, we’re going to look at a few of the good dads on TV shows.
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Like any year, I put one of these together last year so I’m not really sure if my research will net many new names. Or if the shows I’ve watched in the past year feature some good or memorable TV fathers. Nonetheless we’ll strive to find and feature a few, only first I have to give my own dad a shout-out.
TV DADS: MEET EIGHT OF THE BEST FAN FAVORITES! #TVDADS #TVFATHERS #DADSONTV #DADS #FATHERS #FATHERSDAY #TVLIST #TVCHARACTERS Click To TweetDad, thank you for being a strong and patient leader and man. You lead by example in that patience and in the way you work hard. It’s this that has taught me the value of good, honest, and hard work and I’m forever grateful for the love you give and the ways you show us every day how to overcome and even forgive. Thank you. I’m grateful you’re my dad.
Ok, let’s meet some of the TV fathers (mostly from classic shows this year!) who have graced our screens through the years. One last note, if you don’t see your favorite character listed here, jump over to our 2021 list of favorite TV dads, and there’s also a version of this from 2020 with favorite TV and film dads! He may show up there!
FAVORITE AND BEST TV DADS
1: JACK BARTLETT from HEARTLAND
Technically Jack is grandfather to the girls he raised which are Amy and Lou. However he’s such a good role model, leader and really the one almost everyone turns to that it feels wrong to exclude him.
2: PAUL HENNESSEY from 8 SIMPLE RULES
When I would ask around for favorite TV fathers, I feel like Paul’s name came up. Played by John Ritter, the character is a man trying to raise not one but TWO teenage daughters when his wife returns to work as a nurse. I watched a couple of episodes leading up to this list and so far, it didn’t grip me, but it’s a cute show and I understand people loving the character and maybe finding some nostalgia in the show given Ritter’s story arc that sadly, mirrored his life. best tv dads
3: CHARLES INGALLS from LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE
Believe it or not, I don’t think I found this character on my other lists! Not sure why since you don’t get much more nostalgic than this character who raises three daughters, and I believe the show also extends this to include a son? Am I remembering this right? Anyway, either way, he’s one of those really good men who deserves a shout out.
4: FRANK LAMBERT from STEP BY STEP
Of course Step By Step is an oldie, classic 90s show that aired as part of the TGIF lineup. The show follows a man who remarries a woman who has three children and the challenges they face combining their family’s (he too has three kids). I like that Frank is a “guy’s guy” (which you rarely if ever see on TV) but did feel, at times, that the writer’s make him give in every time to the opinion of his wife, Carol. Still he qualifies for the list because he is a good dad. best tv dads
5: JOSEPH ROCKFORD from THE ROCKFORD FILES
Yes, I know, I’m going old school with my picks this year… *sigh* I promise I do usually try to mix it up and collab different genres and eras, but this year, I’m kind of “stuck” given I created a list last year. So again, your more current favorites could be there! In the meantime, we have Joseph aka Rocky Rockford which is Jim’s dad on this show. It’s an oldie show I used to watch all t he time and now and again, I still like a watch.
6: TED RUSSO from BLOSSOM
I actually quite liked Ted’s character from the 90s comedy (that is actually more drama) Blossom. While obviously the show is about the quirky titular character, Ted plays a big role in the lives of his children, and I appreciate that while he loves them, he takes a more disciplined approach to how he teaches them.
7: MATT SHADE from PRIVATE EYES
Ok, confession, I actually included this character on a list from two years ago, but it was a kind of father/daughter shout-out. Much as I adore Jules, I want to give Matt his own space because honestly, I think he’s pretty dang cool and easily one of the best TV dads.
8: FRANK SULLIVAN from FREQUENCY
A few years ago, CW rebooted this from the 2000 film of the same name. With some minor tweaks here and there, the show follows pretty closely in the footsteps and while I don’t remember all the particulars, I do remember really enjoying this short-lived TV show. Plus, the father-daughter dynamic is good.
We hand all the writing over to you now in the comments; have you met any of these dudes? Do you like any of them? Would you include them on a TV dad list? Why didn’t or did you like him? Comment all the comments in the comment second. Sound off and let’s chat.
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