A Ranking Of Our Favourite TV Dads In Honour Of Father's Day
As Father's Day draws near (this Sunday!), we're hoping you've already gotten the special dads in your life a thoughtful gift, and are getting ready to enjoy the holiday together, whether in person or over Zoom. Here at L'Officiel, the annual holiday has gotten us in a nostalgic mood, thinking not only of our own dads, but also of the fathers most of us will never meet — the dads we grew up watching on TV.
We may already have our fair share of dad jokes, bear hugs, and (mostly) great advice from our own fathers, but there's still something sentimental about the fictional dads we watched raise their fictional families while we were simultaneously growing up. Although it might sound silly to be emotionally attached to an on-screen character, we're betting there are already a few of your own personal favourites that you're thinking of right now.
Join us on a lighthearted trip down memory lane as we explore the primetime dads that still warm our hearts, and hopefully you'll spot a few of your own paternal icons on our list.
Mr. Rogers
Mr. Rogers is not only the first TV dad I can remember from my childhood, but I think he was probably one of my first style icons. Seeing him with his closet full of cardigans, switching from his outside shoes to his inside shoes every day, and then feeding his fish — it was all iconic. And besides his style, he was the ultimate TV dad. He didn’t have kids in the show because he talked to all of us like we were his children, teaching us about life and getting speedy deliveries. Not to mention we’re both Pisces — he gave off the biggest, sweetest, and most sensitive Pisces energy I’ve ever seen.
Ryan Norville
Phil Dunphy
Phil Dunphy was actually the first TV dad that popped into my head, but after a lengthy brainstorm, he definitely remains my favourite (sorry, Hank Moody). I love laughing and I love stupid humour, and he is such a dorky character, but also a massive sweetheart. His optimistic outlook on life is admirable, and his dad jokes are iconic. I just spent 10 minutes watching a video of his best moments on Modern Family, and now I can’t stop laughing.
Felicity Cain
Red Forman
My favourite television dad is, oddly enough, Red Forman from That '70s Show. Despite him calling his son Eric and his friends “dumbasses”, Red takes on the role of adoptive father to the group of teenagers that basically live in his basement. His tough exterior of sarcasm and constant criticism, which he illustrates through all eight seasons of the show, is absolutely hilarious and made him my favourite character. And while he often acts disgruntled and irritated, his heart of gold is revealed when he takes in Hyde and becomes a better father not only to Eric, but also to the rest of Eric's friends, all of whom lack a strong father figure. Red raises all the main characters in the show with genuine care and concern, while still threatening to put his “foot in their asses” when they make mistakes, in true Red Forman fashion.
Nicolette Salmi
Ross Geller
Ross Geller from Friends is hands down the hunkiest TV dad of all time. He's an ode to single dads everywhere, not to mention his son in the series, Ben, was played by Dylan and Cole Sprouse (yum). He's this really smart, quirky, dinosaur-loving dad who accurately portrays the hardships of fatherhood, and you can't help but love him. If you're having a bad day, just google "Ross Geller memes", and I promise you won't regret it.
Alexa Hempel
Homer Simpson
My favourite TV dad would have to be Homer Simpson. I love how, despite the fact that he’s very clumsy, he remains devoted to his wife and children (in a hilarious way!). Also, his character definitely inspired other hilarious TV dads like Peter Griffith (from Family Guy) and Randy Marsh (from South Park). Although I’m glad I didn’t have him as my own father, Homer Simpson remains one of the most iconic TV dads in the history of American television.
Margaux Bang
George Lopez
George Lopez in the George Lopez Show was the best TV dad because of his punchy jokes. Despite the absence of a father figure in his own life, George successfully raised a family the only way he knew how: by trial and error. He was humble, committed to his family, a hard worker, and appreciated life despite the challenges. I remember I would always stay up past my bedtime to watch the reruns on Nick at Nite. Thinking about it now, it’s extremely hilarious because I was a seven-year-old girl up at 2am watching a show with jokes I didn’t fully understand. The overall reason George Lopez was my favourite TV dad was because he reminded me of my father. They always have a joke in any social situation and toward any person, even their children. Like my father, George Lopez truly brought joy into people’s lives.
Taylor Jeffries
Burt Hummel
My all-time favourite TV dad has to be Glee’s Burt Hummel for his compassion and heartwarming character development, not to mention how cute it is that he and his son have names that rhyme (Burt and Kurt anyone?). I think Burt is a great example for parents everywhere that they need to love their kids unconditionally despite their differences, and that they shouldn’t raise kids if they’re not prepared to love them completely for who they are. Of course Burt and Kurt had their issues on the show, but what’s so great about Burt is that he truly learned from his son, and unlearned the ignorance that he was raised into, as so many of us unfortunately are.
Juliana Bakumenko
