Top 10 Television Dads

The role of dads on television run the gamut from the family loving father to the absurd, ridiculous dads you'd never want to be seen in public with. Listed her are the 10 best dads seen on television.

Television Dad Number 1: Hugh Beaumont as Ward Cleaver on Leave It to Beaver
This popular television show first aired in 1957. Hugh Beaumont played Ward Cleaver father of Wally and Theodore (best known as the Beaver) Cleaver. Ward was often seen as handing out moral lessons to his two adventurous sons.

Television Dad Number 2: Robert Young as Jim Anderson on Father Knows Best
Father Knows Best first debuted in 1954 and had a successful six season run. Jim Anderson was the model father, quietly handing down house rules but compassionate while doing so. Jim was father to three children: Betty, Bud and Kitten.

Television Dad Number 3: Michael Landon as Charles Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie
Airing in 1974, Little House on the Prairie featured Charles Ingalls as the father of Laura, Mary and Carrie Ingalls. Grace and Albert came along later in the series. The show was based on the popular books by Laura Ingalls-Wilder and took place during the late 1800s. Charles Ingalls was a strong, hard working farmer providing for his family.

Television Dad Number 4: Robert Reed as Mike Brady on The Brady Bunch
Robert Reed played Mike Brady, the father of three sons who eventually meets and marries a woman who has three daughters. Mike is an architect, with a home office, allowing him to spend quite a bit of time at home with his brood, new wife and housekeeper. Mike Brady was a loving, but firm father when it came to disciplining the children.

Television Dad Number 5: Andy Griffith as Andy Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show
The Andy Griffith Show began airing in 1960 and featured Andy Taylor as one of television's first single dads. Widower Andy Taylor was father to Opie, a young, rambunctious boy who gave his father a run for his money. Andy Taylor was the Sheriff of Mayberry and lived with his son as well as his Aunt Bea. Andy was a great dad who provided Opie with insight and moral guidance.

Television Dad Number 6: Tom Bosley as Howard Cunningham on Happy Days
This popular 70s show featured Tom Bosley in the role of Howard Cunningham, the father of three children. Though the show ran from the mid 70s until the mid 80s, it actually was set in the 50s. The Cunninghams were a traditional family where the father worked and the mother stayed home raising the children. Howard was a firm father who cared deeply for his children and accepted their friends as his own.

Television Dad Number 7: Tim Allen as Tim Taylor on Home Improvement
Home Improvement ran from 1991 until 1999 and featured Tim Taylor, the host of Tool Time, a home improvement show. Though Tim was often seen bumbling about on his television show as well as at home, his love for his three sons was apparent. Whether male bonding or handing down discipline, if was evident Tim loved the Taylor boys and they loved him back, even during those difficult teen years.

Television Dad Number 8: Bill Cosby as Heathcliff Huxtable on The Cosby Show
Bill Cosby played Heathcliff Huxtable on The Cosby Show, which debuted in 1984. This number one show featured Huxtable as the father of four children. He was also a doctor who had a home office allowing him to spend a lot of quality time with his children. Often sarcastic and dry witted, Huxtable filled the home with humor.

Television Dad Number 9: Bob Saget as Danny Tanner on Full House
Full House was a popular show that featured Danny Tanner as a widowed father raising his three adorable daughters. Danny enlists the help of his brother-in-law and best friend, who move into the house to help raise the girls. Danny is a softie and the girls know how to pull his strings, but he is well loved.

Television Dad Number 10: Stephen Collins as Reverend Eric Camden on 7th Heaven
Reverend Eric Camden was the father of seven children on 7th Heaven. The show depicted Reverend Camden as a calming force in an otherwise chaotic family. He often relied on the Bible for his parenting techniques, providing the children with a strong moral compass.

There you have it, 10 of the best television dads. Did your favorite make the list?

Sources:
www.imdb.com
www.tvguide.com