Well today is father’s day. We all love our dads, maybe not all. There are certain TV das too that taught us more than enough life lessons to qualify as our legal guardian. In fact, there are countless fictional patriarchs who will undoubtedly go down as the greatest father figures we never knew we needed. So here’s 10 great TV dads that truly made us feel. I may not have every great dad in this list but let us know your favorites in comments! These are just 10 great dads, not a ranking.
1. DANNY TANNER (‘FULL HOUSE’)
Played by: Bob Saget
Bob Saget played the role of one of the most endearing father figures to television. As a single dad who loses his wife in an accident and tries to figure out how to raise three young daughters (with the help of some of his loved ones). we can’t help but love his corny heart-to-hearts.
2. JACK PEARSON (‘THIS IS US’)
Played by: Milo Ventimiglia
Jack Pearson is pretty much your quintessential television dad. Not only is he a selfless provider, but he loves his wife and children unconditionally (literally, his family is his whole world). He’s also one of the only fathers who can reduce us to a pool of tears with his pep talks and witty one-liners.
3. PHIL DUNPHY (‘MODERN FAMILY’)
Played by: Ty Burrell
He may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but he’s accepting, understanding and really, really good at pretending to know magic. This is the kind of goofy dad we all need, not only on our TV screens, but in our everyday lives.
4. JAMES EVANS SR. (‘GOOD TIMES’)
Played by: John Amos
James Evans Sr. goes above and beyond to provide for his family, even if it means working multiple jobs. Let us be honest, He didn’t deserve what happened in season 4.
5. EDDARD ‘NED’ STARK (‘GAME OF THRONES’)
Played by: Sean Bean
Sure, his head was ceremonially chopped off (RIP) in season one, but he still managed to raise six badass children. Before he died, he was able to teach them to be loyal, kind and to never give up.
6. Jim Hopper (Stranger Things)
Played By: David Harbour
His own daughter, Sarah, died of cancer and then his wife left him, causing Jim to be lonely and a little… rough around the edges at the beginning of the series, but with plenty of protective dad energy that always has him looking out for the kids in town.
Then he takes in Eleven and their bond becomes one of the strongest parent-child bonds of recent years. He’s overprotective and prone to overreacting, but in the context of the series it makes sense. He’s also always on hand with Eggos, not afraid to be honest with Eleven and willing to give up everything (including himself) to keep her safe.
7. CHRISTOPHER ‘JULIUS’ ROCK II (‘EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS’)
Played by: Terry Crews
Introducing one of the most down-to-earth TV dads. His penny-pinching ways will make you think twice about turning on the air conditioner…or not.
8.STEVE BRADY (‘SEX AND THE CITY’)
Played by: David Eigenberg
While we see many (emphasis on many) men throughout the series, Steve is one of the few fathers. And boy is he good with Brady. Miranda even knows how wonderful he is with their young son. In the franchise’s first movie, she writes down “Good father” as a “pro” to decide if she should take Steve back.
