The 14 Best Fathers In Pop Culture History
Before the internet was alive with the chorus of dad! on your favorite celeb's Instagram account, there was good old Dad himself — you know, the one you could probably talk into getting pizza for dinner most nights out of the week.
But whatever lessons you learned from your dad — or whatever father figure you have in your life! — you've likely turned on your TV only to find a mirror image offering a weak dad joke back at you. Yes, the sitcom father is alive and well, but they're more nuanced these days. Ahead, find 14 of our favorite pop culture dads, from reality TV mainstays to throwbacks who may as well have helped raise you, too.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY1/14Homer Simpson, The Simpsons
Has Homer Simpson been the best dad of all time? Well, that's up for debate, as a lot of Simpsons episodes center around how much he bumbles through life. But he tries — and has been trying for a whopping 27 seasons — so that consistency is something to admire.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY2/14Andre Johnson, Sr. Black-ish
Anthony Anderson's portrayal of Dre Johnson is one of the most nuanced on television. Sure, there are your usual sitcom hijinks and punchlines, but he often acts as the voice of reason during poignant and important moments, just like any other dad you may know (or be related to).
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY3/14Coach Taylor, Friday Night Lights
Especially because he gave us the ultimate mantra to chant before a big test or — yes — football game.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY4/14Danny Tanner, Full House
Sure, Danny Tanner had a little help raising his three daughters, but Uncles Jesse and Joey needed to be parented from time to time, too.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY5/14Phil Dunphy, Modern Family
What is it about clueless, well-meaning sitcom dads? Why are they always so well-meaningly clueless? Phil's antics set him apart from the dad pack, mostly because he makes our dads look downright cool in comparison.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY6/14Caitlyn Jenner, Keeping Up With the Kardashians
Caitlyn's IRL politics might not be perfect, but her transition and exploration of her new relationship with her daughters, Kendall and Kylie, helped highlight the experience of having a transgender parent on one of the biggest platforms around.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY7/14Louis Huang, Fresh Off the Boat
Any kid growing up in a recently emigrated family can relate to the idea of that one family member who buys into the American Dream(tm) whole hog. Louis Huang is that family member.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY8/14Mac MacGuff, Juno
Few dads are chill about having teenagers. Even fewer dads would be as chill as Mac is about his teenage daughter's pregnancy. Nevertheless, he's as supportive as he can be, and constantly offers Juno advice and a shoulder to cry on (even if those tears are hormone-induced).
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY9/14Kanye West, Keeping Up with the Kardashians
Fact: North West is one of the few people on this planet who can consistently make Kanye West smile. But look at her! Of course she could make him smile! She could make anyone smile.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY10/14Keith Mars, Veronica Mars
Keith had storylines just as juicy and plot-twisty as Veronica's, but one of the most compelling moments of the series was the paternity test that Veronica shredded. She didn't need DNA to tell her who her father was; she already knew.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY11/14Maurice, Beauty and the Beast
Is getting trapped in a castle by an enchanted beast only to trade your freedom for your daughter's going to win you "Parent of the Year"? Not really, but Maurice was lovable and meant well, even if he was a little too easily taken advantage of. The lengths Belle went to in order to save her father speak volumes.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY12/14Cameron Tucker and Mitchell Pritchett, Modern Family
Cameron and Mitchell couldn't be more opposite, but that's why they work. They balance out each other's neuroses perfectly. They were also among the first same-sex couples to be featured as a main storyline in a network television show (what took so long, Hollywood?).
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY13/14Sandy Cohen, The O.C.
Sandy Cohen's parenting skills: as great as his eyebrows? Or nearly as great? (Those eyebrows are pretty iconic.)
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY14/14Uncle Phil, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
And finally, proof that sometimes your dad isn't the one listed on your birth certificate. Fresh Prince was known for its antics, but try watching this scene without tearing up — and wanting to call whoever it was that was the father figure in your life, related or otherwise.
