Father's aren't perfect. Every son, daughter, mother, and father himself knows this. Even on TV—where dads exemplified the idealised patriarch —these guys still had their flaws. Some of them were pretty big (Walter White), some of them were endearing (Homer Simpson), but they all represent the full spectrum of what it means to be a father. When we look at the TV, these are the men we see staring back at us.
Walter White, Breaking Bad
Played by: Bryan Cranston
Yes, he destroyed his family and eventually saw a bitter end, but Walter White’s original intentions were pure.
Homer Simpson, The Simpsons
Voiced by: Dan Castellaneta
Look no further than the iconic Simpsons episode “And Maggie Makes Three” for proof that Homer was once one of the best TV dads. The show might have lost its way in recent years, but the heart of the character was there back in 1995.
Tony Soprano, The Sopranos
Played by: James Gandolfini
We might never know what Tony Soprano’s ultimate fate was, but the character marked a turning point in television writing and acting that helped usher in our current era of Peak TV.
Ned Stark, Game of Thrones
Played by: Sean Bean
You know, when you think about it, it’s kind of Ned Stark’s fault that most of his family ends up dead in Game of Thrones. His misplaced nobility is exactly what sets off all the political drama. Yet, he might also be the only truly moral character in the entire show.
Michael Bluth, Arrested Development
Played by: Jason Bateman
Always there to sing “Afternoon Delight,” to help out with maritime law, or make a cornball—Michael Bluth is just trying to do what he can to keep the family together.
Hal Wilkerson, Malcolm in the Middle
Played by: Bryan Cranston
Maybe Hal is the reason we have so much sympathy for Cranston’s Walter White, because the head of the Wilkerson family is the lovable goof dad everyone wants.
Marty Crane, Frasier
Played by: John Mahoney
John Mahoney’s cranky Marty Crane was the grumpy soul of Frasier, the witty and sweet dad we deserved—always there to put his son in his place.
Frank Costanza, Seinfeld
Played by: Jerry Stiller
The serenity-seeking practitioner of Festivus might have been angry, but he also made for some of Seinfeld’s most memorable and outrageous moments.
Philip Banks, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Played by: James Avery
Yes, his nephew was cool as hell, but it’s important to keep in mind that he was annoying, too. So, you can always forgive Uncle Phil’s temper as he kept the house in order.
Jimmy McNulty, The Wire
Played by: Beadie Russell
He might have been an absent, reckless father and a functioning alcoholic, but Jimmy McNulty was a hell of a cop who’d do anything for justice.
Matt Miller is a Brooklyn-based culture/lifestyle writer and music critic whose work has appeared in Esquire, Forbes, The Denver Post, and documentaries.
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