Who Is the Best Father On TV?

But I have been thinking a lot about the fathers we see on TV lately, and I started working on a list of "the best" ones, but I realized that's incredibly subjective. So, I asked my colleagues, and I received some traditional and unique answers, which made me realize even more just how personal "the best father" is to every individual. With that in mind, I thought I'd share my favorite — and those of some of my fellow PJ Media writers — and we'd love to hear which ones you like in the comments.   

First up, I asked my dad who his favorite was, and I'm not sure why I bothered because I knew what he'd say: Ward Cleaver of Leave It to Beaver.  That's my dad's go-to "comfort TV" show, and I've actually watched a few episodes of it with him lately. He says it reminds him of his childhood. Played by the late actor Hugh Beaumont, Ward was calm, patient, and thoughtful in his parenting, and quite frankly, he reminds me a lot of my paternal grandfather, so it only makes sense that he's near and dear to my dad.   

My mom isn't around to ask, but I know what she would have said: Andy Taylor of The Andy Griffith Show. A single father, raising his son while keeping the town under control as the sheriff of Mayberry, Andy was patient, kind, moral, and willing to admit when he was wrong. She once told me that he reminded her of her own father physically, and while she had a bit of a rough childhood, I think he's the type of father she longed to have. Who can blame her? My mom watched that show every evening, even the night before she died from her ICU bed.  

Andy Taylor was actually in my top two, as well. 

But, after thinking about this all week, I finally decided that mine was Dan Conner from Roseanne (the original). John Goodman portrayed a Middle America blue-collar father in such a realistic way that I know many of my friends and I related to it growing up. He worked hard, was tough but supportive, was funny and playful, and was incredibly protective of his family. The show didn't shy away from his flaws, either, which I always appreciated.

Here's my favorite Dan Conner episode —  after his sister-in-law suffered from domestic abuse, Dan beat up her boyfriend and landed himself in jail. It was a "serious topic" episode that showed just how far Dan would go for the people he loved, but it was also quite hilarious.   

So, what did my colleagues say when I asked? 

Our fearless editor-in-chief, Chris Queen, chose Pa Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie:  

"The best all-around TV dad was Charles Ingalls. Sure, the plots were neat and tidy, but there was no denying the love he had for his family," he told me. 

Charles was on my list, as well. I grew up watching reruns of the show and always appreciated the lengths he went to for his wife and kids.   

Jennifer Rust also chose Charles. "I loved Charles Ingalls played by Michael Landon. I grew up on that show," she told me. "I still get teary-eyed thinking about the time his friends banded together to buy back the family farm at the auction scheduled by the mean Mrs. Olsen and they bought everything for under a dollar."    

Jennifer also mentioned another name, as did Matt Margolis, and it was someone who was on my list too: Cliff Huxtable from, of course, The Cosby Show. But we all agreed that the whole thing has been tarnished due to Bill Cosby's off-screen activities. 

Stephen Green's choice was Harry Morgan from Dexter. "He never judged his adopted son, and found innovative ways for Dexter to channel all that boyish energy," he said. 

Boyish energy, psychopathic tendencies... tomato, tomato. I'll admit I've never watched that show, but it was an interesting choice.  

Tim O'Brien gave me an answer that is near and dear to my heart: 

He’s not the best all-around, which makes him more reflective of dads these days. I’d nominate Mike Heck from The Middle, a more recent entry, and super understated. The way Neil Flynn plays him, he’s like many men. He’s always there, but he only interjects when he feels he has to. But in all cases, he’s really trying to do what’s best for his family and his kids. They are always his highest priority and why he makes the sacrifices he does.

I loved that answer, and I think The Middle is an underrated show overall. 

Eric Florak suggested Bill Bixby from The Courtship of Eddie's Father. 

"I have to admit I haven't seen many episodes of this show but Lucas McCain on The Rifleman comes to mind for good TV dads," Catherine Salgado told me. She added, "And a new favorite is The Mandalorian." 

Jamie Wilson suggested another one that I grew up on: Uncle Phil from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Her reason? 

He took in this troubled kid from all the way across the country, loved him and provided for him and put up with his crap while being a really great father figure. He's the reason that Will Smith's character went the right way instead of losing himself in violence and drugs. He may have been portrayed as stuffy and uptight, but really he's the father figure a lot of teen boys need.

Last but not least, Ashley McCully threw me a wild card with a cartoon I was not really familiar with at all (then again, she has small children and I do not): Bandit from Bluey. Here's what she had to say about him: 

I love Bandit because he is a very present dad and, unlike too many comedic dad roles, he isn't the dumb or useless oaf — he is smart, hard-working, and a great partner in his marriage.

I especially love how he makes mistakes like every parent does, owns it, corrects it, and moves on. As a parent, Bandit Heeler makes me feel seen. 

Yes, I've taken the last fry from my kid’s plate (I thought he was finished!) and Bandit showed me sometimes Dance Mode is the best way to make things right. Have I also taken my kids to pick up dinner and found myself hangry in a mess my kids made and left without the spring rolls? Which parent among us hasn't? Thanks to a silly cartoon dog, in those uncertain times, I know I'm not alone.

So, those are some of our favorites. Now tell us yours in the comments!