Photo:
Jim Hopper becomes a great father to Eleven in “Stranger Things.” Photo: courtesy Netflix
Whether they are funny, protective, a goofball or a leader, I love a good TV dad. Some teach life lessons, some make you laugh and some would do anything to protect the people they love. And the best ones seem to, somehow, do all three.
In honor of Father’s Day, I asked ParentMap staff who their favorite dads are from the big and small screens. From animated fathers to heroes fighting monsters to regular guys just trying to do their best, the dads our staff listed will have you laughing and crying. So this Father’s Day take a break with the father figure in your life and stream your favorite, or get to know a new dad, from our list.
ParentMap staff’s favorite TV dads
Rogelio de la Vega, “Jane the Virgin”
Played by: Jaime Camil
What we love: Jane’s estranged father, Rogelio de la Vega, comes back into her life when he discovers that she is his daughter (which he is absolutely thrilled to learn). Camil’s portrayal of the somewhat bumbling, self-centered, but undeniably caring father (and grandfather) is truly one of my favorites, and he just might be one of TV’s funniest dads. He is loving, vulnerable and we see him grow as a person and a parent. And whether Jane is pursuing her education or personal goals, Rogelio always encourages her and takes pride in her accomplishments. Rogelio is fun, endearing and my favorite character on the show. “It’s another beautiful day to be Rogelio …”
Stream on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV
Johnny Rose, “Schitt’s Creek”
Played by: Eugene Levy
What we love: Canadian comedy legend Eugene Levy won an Emmy for his portrayal of Johnny Rose, a wealthy businessman whose family loses their fortune. Even in the face of challenges, Johnny never gives up. He rolls up his sleeves, gets to work, and sets an example of persistence and resilience for his family (which they eventually take to heart). Johnny is a dedicated father, and consistently encourages both his kids — David and Alexis — even when they doubt themselves. By the end of the series, he’s not just a successful businessman again — he’s a better father than he was when the story began. This show is one of my all-time favorites and I loved watching it with my (tween and teen) kids.
Stream on HBO Max
Bandit Heeler, “Bluey”
Voiced by: Dave McCormack, Australian musician and singer
What we love: Who says great dads have to be human! Bandit Heeler earns his place on our list because he loves to play, embraces his daughters’ imagination, and approaches parenting with humor and heart. Meredith, ParentMap’s family fun editor, said, “I’m not embarrassed to admit that I’ve learned a few parenting tips from ‘Bluey,’ and Bandit stands out for how imaginative and playful he is with the kids. Plus, he’s always ready to jump in when Mom just needs 20 minutes to herself.”
Stream on Disney+
Phil Dunphy, Mitch and Cameron, “Modern Family”
Played by: Phil played by Ty Burrell; Mitch played by Jesse Tyler Ferguson; Cameron played by Eric Stonestreet
What we love: One TV show with three great dads! Phil might be a little clueless at times, but he loves his family and is always there when it matters most. Brooke, ParentMap’s social media specialist, picked Phil as her fave TV dad because he “came off very funny and wholesome, and I always thought he was a great ‘girl dad.’ I think he got a bad rap for being too silly at times, but he was always there for his daughters when they needed him, which I loved.”
Another pair of great dads on “Modern Family,” Mitchell and Cameron won our hearts with their loving, imperfect parenting and constant support of one another (even when things go a little off the rails). Their devotion to their feisty daughter Lily and willingness to learn from their mistakes make them among television’s most beloved dads, not to mention some of the funniest.
Stream on Hulu
Philip Banks, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”
Played by: James Avery
What we love: Can I recite every word of the “Fresh Prince” theme song? Of course. And while Will may have been the main character, and Carlton made us laugh with his iconic dance moves, Uncle Phil was the heart of the family. He welcomed his nephew into his home and became a true father figure, who held high expectations for his children (including Will) and also provided great love and support. He wasn’t trying to be his children’s best friend; he was trying to help them become their best selves. And when they need him most, he’s always there, especially when Will’s own father couldn’t be (I’m not crying, you’re crying).
Stream on Disney+
Ignacio Suarez, “Ugly Betty”
Played by: Tony Plana
What we love: Ignacio is a strong father character not because he’s a superhero, but because he’s a hardworking single father who leads with compassion and devotion to his family. His relationship with Betty is one of the emotional centers of the show and he often serves as her anchor. Ignacio sacrifices for his family and always puts them first. He also experiences change and growth, as a father and a person. He comes to accept Betty’s brother-in-law, and supports her LGBTQ nephew wholeheartedly. Ignacio loves his family, pure and simple.
Stream on Hulu
Joel Miller, “The Last of Us”
Played by: Pedro Pascal
What we love: Joel Miller — my favorite TV dad — has one goal in this dystopian zombie apocalypse thriller: keep Ellie safe. And he does so no matter what he has to do (or thinks he has to do) and at all costs. Over the course of the show’s two seasons (season three is expected to premiere in 2027) we see Joel come out of his hard shell and allow himself to care for Ellie. She might not be his biological daughter, but he’s her dad in all the ways that count. When the zombies show up, I know who I want on my team. His parenting journey is messy, human and deeply emotional. And, I mean, it’s Pedro Pascal, so that doesn’t hurt either.
Stream on HBO Max
Jim Hopper, “Stranger Things”
Played by: David Harbour
What we love: Jim Hopper is the sheriff of a small town in the 1980s where nothing particularly interesting happens, until another dimension opens and he finds himself the guardian of a teenage girl with superpowers. Having tragically lost his own young daughter to cancer, Hopper steps in as the father figure to parentless Eleven, while also acting as a dad-like presence in the lives of all other kids in Hawkins who can’t seem to keep out of trouble. Over the five seasons, Hopper’s gruff exterior softens as he lets himself start to care for Eleven and, similar to Joel in “The Last of Us,” will go to any extreme to keep her safe.
Stream on Netflix
Sang-il Kim, “Kim’s Convenience”
Played by: Paul Sun-Hyung Lee
What we love: Though he sometimes struggles to communicate his feelings, Sang-il’s (better known as Appa) actions show us that he’s a father who wants the very best for his kids. The show explores his strengths and flaws, including generational and cultural differences that create tension with his kids, making him a very believable parent. Appa was ParentMap’s calendar editor Julie’s pick for her favorite TV dad. She said, “I think it’s because he, in true traditional Asian dad fashion, is stoic and stern on the outside, but on the inside he’s really a softie and totally hilarious. To me, he’s totally relatable in so many ways. He’s always accusing his wife and kids of plotting a ‘sneak attack’ on him when they want something.”
Stream on Netflix
Jack and Randall Pearson, “This Is Us”
Played by: Jack is played by Milo Ventimiglia; Randall is played by Sterling K. Brown
What we love: Another hit show with multiple examples of great dads, Jack and Randall represent two generations of devoted fathers. Jack is often viewed as the heart of the Pearson family. Whether he’s working extra jobs or creating special family traditions, Jack is always committed to his wife and children. His struggles with addiction and self-doubt make him a more realistic father, even as he strives to do better.
Randall, Jack’s son, brings many of the lessons he learned from Jack into his own parenting journey (as so many of us do). Randall is willing to talk about his own fears and struggles, showing that strength and honesty can go hand in hand. ParentMap’s managing editor, Allison, picked Randall as her favorite TV dad and said, “I was really drawn to Randall on ‘This Is Us,’ especially in the early years. His devotion to his family, his strength and integrity made him such a compelling character to me.”
Stream on Hulu
Frank Costanza, “Seinfeld”
Played by: Jerry Stiller
What we love: The late Jerry Stiller brought George Costanza’s unpredictable, hilarious father to life. And while Frank may not be your typical “great dad,” he sure is memorable! Plus, he gave us Festivus, with the Airing of Grievances and Feats of Strength, which cemented Frank’s place in pop-culture history. Stiller was a legendary comedian and performer, and even the seasoned cast of “Seinfeld” couldn’t keep it together when Frank was in his element. While he didn’t always express it in the best ways, Frank wanted George to be his best self, and loved his crazy little family.
Stream on Netflix
Howard and Harold McBride, “The Loud House”
Voiced by: Howard is voiced by Michael McDonald; Harold was voiced by Wayne Brady (2016–2022), then Khary Payton starting in season 6
What we love: More cartoon dads! Howard and Harold’s unwavering support for their son Clyde and their strong parenting partnership make them memorable role models for all families. Not only are they supportive and loving parents and partners, they were one of the first married same-sex couples regularly featured in a Nickelodeon animated series, and helped expand the range of families depicted on children’s TV.
Stream on Netflix
Favorite movie dads
Maverick Carter, “The Hate U Give”
Played by: Russell Hornsby
What we love: This is an intense, important story that is not always easy to watch. Which is exactly why you should. And Russell Hornsby gives a powerful portrait of Starr’s father, Maverick, who is deeply involved in his children’s lives and committed to teaching them how to navigate the world with confidence and pride in who they are. After Starr’s friend is murdered by the police, he encourages her to find her voice and speak up for what she believes is right. Maverick balances encouragement, teaching and love to support his daughter as she navigates loss and learns to stand up for herself and her community.
Stream on Amazon Prime Video
George Banks, “Father of the Bride”
Played by: Steve Martin
What we love: George Banks is beloved by fans because, in a way, he is every dad. He’s not fighting zombies or monsters, he’s just a dad, and his love for his kids is undeniable. And because he is played by the great Steve Martin, his overreactions, worries about his daughter’s wedding costs and occasional meltdowns provide some of the movie’s biggest laughs. Lindsey, ParentMap’s marketing director, said, “You can tell how much he adores his kids, yet his flaws and missteps on his way to doing the right thing make him very relatable.”
ParentMap’s publisher, Alayne, also picked George Banks as her fave because while he complains about the cost of his daughter’s impending wedding, “his love for his daughter is so complete and unguarded that you never doubt for a second that he’d burn the whole budget down all over again.”
Stream on Disney+
Fa Zhou, “Mulan”
Voiced by: Soon-Tek Oh
What we love: Fa Zhou is a loving father, and a brave person. Despite his age and limitations, Fa Zhou is willing to answer the call to serve in the army because he believes it is his duty to protect his family and honor. Even when Mulan breaks tradition, Fa Zhou can see in his daughter strengths before she sees them herself. He is a reminder that a great parent values their child for who they are, not who the world expects them to be.
Stream on Disney+
