Memorable TV Dads: 10 Dads We Wish We Could Call Our Own [VIDEOS]
With television sets in just about every home these days, it’s hard not to think of the fathers of TV as family members of our own.
From Homer Simpson, to Tim Taylor to Cliff Huxtable, we love TV dads for all of their charms and imperfections, and on this Father’s Day, it’s time for us to say thanks.
Below, check out our 10 favorite TV dads, fathers we wish we could call our own.
Carl Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson), ‘Family Matters’
If ever there was an excuse for not always behaving like father of the year, having Steve Urkel as a neighbor would be it. Not for Carl Winslow. Though he certainly had his fair share of reasons to get angry with Steve, in the end he always stood up for him and treated him like a son.
Tim Taylor (Tim Allen), ‘Home Improvement’
On of the only true TV dads on the list, Tim Taylor shepherded three very different boys through adolescence, all while hosting his very own TV show, Binford’s “Tool Time.” We can’t give Tim all the credit though. He did have help from Al (and Jill).
Coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler), ‘Friday Night Lights’
From raising two kids to being an all around awesome husband, this high school football coach is great both on and off the field.
Cliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby), ‘The Cosby Show’
Maybe he was born with it, or maybe it was the sweaters. Whatever his secret, Dr. Huxtable certainly knew how to raise a family.
Frank Reynolds (Danny DeVito), ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’
Sure, you love your children, but sometimes you need to put them in their place. If there’s anyone better at that than Frank Reynolds, we’d like to meet him. Actually, we probably wouldn’t.
Ward Cleaver (Hugh Beaumont), ‘Leave It to Beaver’
When it came to dispensing world of wisdom, few fathers did it better than Ward Cleaver. No one could help The Beave out of a jam like Dad.
Jason Seaver (Alan Thicke), ‘Growing Pains’
Stay-at-home Dads take note: You have Jason Seaver to thank for the fact that society doesn’t ostracize you and make you feel like less of a man. The most prominent man to ever work from home, Jason Seaver showed the joy (and pain) managing a household full of kids could bring a man.
Danny Tanner (Bob Saget), ‘Full House’
In addition to being a spectacular father, this TV Dad (host of “Wake Up, San Francisco”) was practically a saint. Try finding another Dad who would let eight people and a dog live in his house rent-free.
Steven Keaton (Michael Gross), ‘Family Ties’
You try living with Alex P. Keaton for a few days and let’s see what kind of father you turn out to be. A life-long hippie, Steven didn’t let his children’s differing points of view get in the way of dolling out the best advice and guidance a Dad could give.
Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta), “The Simpsons”
Homer Simpson is a lazy oaf with a drinking problem, a lousy work ethic and a proclivity towards violence. Then again, he means well, and considering how memorable his kids turned out to be, it’s easy to let those other things slide.