Top Ten TV Dads

“Its an oLd show and oLd man... But that quys funny America Liked him =))”

rebeLLious

“This Cosby Show dad inspired many of us and his humorous way of parenting the girls and Theo made for one terrific show- The episode with Theo and the earring still sticks in my head, Heathcliff handled it brilliantly.”

“you got 2 go with Andy”

Razor79

“The Andy Griffith Show star was selfless and steady. I just love the relationship he had with little Ron Howard (Opie) and the love he gave him. Other dads should model Sheriff Taylor’s dad decisions in the show. He was always on the side of justice and logic and provided Opie with more than enough love to make up for the loss of Opie’s mom.”

“he was always a great father to opie.”

jwileson

“Bonanza dad is the best dad in television history, period. Adam, Hoss, and Little Joe had it made. This guy lost three wives to death but he overcame those personal tragedies to become the richest man in the Nevada Territory. It was all done with his own sweat and perseverance, the Horatio Alger-like American Dream. His tough but unwavering love for the three boys is the core of what made Bonanza the top-rated American television show of the 1960’s and early 1970’s.”

jkufs

“Little House on the Prairie star was one of the best television dads ever. God rest his soul, this was the second of three major television rolls for Landon (Little Joe in Bonanza and Jonathan in Highway to Heaven) and all three are favorites of mine. This is his only one as a dad, and his was five star. How he dealt with troubling financial times in the late 19th Century were stand up and admirable. He was in many ways the perfect father. Dealing with Mary’s blindness and his playful way with "Half-Pint" Laura- along with his even taking in orphans and loving them like his own- Charles was the best! Strict but compassionate and always doing what was not the easiest, but the RIGHT decisions.”

jkufs

“Roseanne star dad was a real guy, rugged, blue collar, handy, sometimes even unemployed. How he put up with Roseanne is beyond me, but he was a warm and sweet but sometimes hostile listener to Becky, Darlene, DJ, and the baby. His heart attack in the final season was a tear-jerker.”

“The Happy Days dad was everything a TV dad should be- tough, frugal, soft but fair, hard-working, and funny. He even warmed up to the idea of the Fonz living upstairs. Richie and Joanie could always count on Mr. C whenever they need advice.”

“This Growing Pains dad is very underrated. A psychiatrist on the show, he was a wonderful giver of advice to Mike, Carol, and Ben. Then they had Chrissy and we saw his skills with a baby. They even took in Leo DiCaprio as a stray teen! He became a stay at home dad when Maggie went to work on the newspaper, a very selfless man.”

“Family Ties dad was a little bit too hippie for my taste but he was a needed balance to the conservative character Alex P. Keaton (Michael J. Fox) on this hit 1980’s classic. Mallory, Jennifer, and Alex could have done much worse. A side note, I once watched the July 4th Fireworks in my hometown of Auburn, New York on a blanket with him and shared some McDonald’s fries. I was like nine years old and he was a really nice guy!”

jkufs

“Leave it To Beaver dad was a bit strict and lived in the quintessential 1950’s household but it fit the generation perfectly. "Wait until your father gets home" was a familiar phrase from his sweet wife June. Beaver and Wally always leaned on him for tough but necessary answers, especially when the Beaver messed up.”

jkufs

“Beverly Hills 90210 dad was always kind and considerate to Brenda and Brandon and filled with good advice. Moving his family from Minnesota to ritzy Beverly Hills was a bit selfish but they couldn’t have had a show”

jkufs