Dads are rad. Good ones play an important role in shaping their children into well-adjusted and productive members of society. Dads are also humans themselves and sometimes miss the mark. This is where fictional ones come in handy.
If you are needing some fatherly love in your life, look no further. The 10 television dads on this list are great examples of fatherhood. Watching them parent is just like throwing the ball around with your old man in the backyard.
Jack Pearson (This Is Us)
Jack Pearson’s legacy lives on in his three kids Randall, Kate, and Kevin. This Is Us viewers learn about him mainly in flashbacks and grow to love his words of wisdom and wit. He loves his family with his whole heart. Viewers are left to wish they had more time together. He is played by actor Milo Ventimiglia.
Carl Winslow (Family Matters)
Carl on Family Matters, played by Reginald VelJohnson, is only human. He has a short temper and is stingy with money but he is always there when it counts. He fiercely loves his wife Harriette and three kids, Eddie, Laura, and Judy. He even loves his annoying neighbor Steve Urkel deep down.
Louis Huang (Fresh Off the Boat)
Louis is an optimistic Taiwanese American immigrant on Fresh Off the Boat. He always sees the best in people, which is great because his wife Jessica can sometimes be a lot to handle. He is obsessed with all things American and runs a cowboy-themed steakhouse. His ideas may not always be practical but his three kids Eddie, Emery, and Evan, love him anyway. Actor Randall Park shines in this role.
Danny Tanner (Full House)
Full House's Danny, played by the late Bob Saget, was a proud girl dad before the term was trendy. He raised his three daughters Michelle, DJ, and Stephanie as a single dad after the death of his wife. He had the help of some pretty cool uncles. His house was never quiet but it was full of love.
Dre Johnson (Black-ish)
It's important for Dre to teach his kids, Zoey, Junior, Jack, Diane, and Devante about their African American culture and history in Black-ish. He does not shy away from teaching the difficult truths about being Black in America. He works hard as an advertising executive and wants his kids to know their privilege.
Mr. Hyunh (Hey Arnold!)
Mr. Hyunh might be the least known TV dad on this list, but he absolutely earned his place. He is a character on the '90s Nickelodeon cartoon Hey Arnold! This Vietnamese refugee had not seen his daughter Mai in 20 years, but never gave up hope. They reunite in an episode entitled “Arnold’s Christmas” and it is so heartwarming.
Phil Dunphy (Modern Family)
Phil is the king of dad jokes. He is goofy and awkward but always means well. The Modern Family dad loves Haley, Alex, and Luke immensely in his own quirky way. Plus he can do magic. Actor Ty Burrell is comedy gold in this role.
Adam Braverman (Parenthood)
As the eldest son of the Braverman clan, Adam is a little uptight. This spills into his own immediate family. It also makes him extremely reliable and steadfast. He makes sure his three kids, Haddie, Max, and Nora are always taken care of. He goes above and beyond for Max, who is on the autism spectrum. Adam's consistent nature attracted actor Peter Krause to the role on Parenthood.
Burt Hummel (Glee)
Glee's Burt, played by Mike O'Malley, works as a mechanic and loves football. One could assume this single dad would not be tolerant of a gay son but that is far from the truth. He accepts Kurt in a truly beautiful way, just as he is, which is something all dads should aspire to.
