The Most Relatable TV Dads of All Time (& 5 That Make You Cringe)

Over the years, there have been many TV shows that have entertained us with great moments and wonderful characters. Many of those shows have revolved around families that were typically led by a father. Every one of those programs is different. Many of them have left us with relatable TV dads while other dads are a bit more cringe-worthy, and that’s what we’re talking about today.

We’ll tell you about 10 of the most relatable TV dads, including Danny Tanner from “Full House”, Phil Dunphy from “Modern Family,” Dan Conner from “Roseanne,” and Phillip Banks from “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” among others. These are dads who showed constant love and care for their families and always had an important lesson to teach.

Then, we’ll tell you about dads that did not stand the test of time. Fathers like Al Bundy from “Married with Children” and Archie Bunker from “All in the Family.” They are dads who were often more insulting than loving, and honestly, we’re glad they weren’t part of our family.

Without further ado, here’s a list of the most relatable TV dads of all time and five that will make you cringe.

Relatable Dad: Danny Tanner

• Show: “Full House”
• Actor: Bob Saget
• Show Run: September 22, 1987 to May 23, 1995

Danny Tanner was played by stand-up comedian Bob Saget. It’s true that his stand-up was very raunchy, but as a TV dad, he was the best. He raised three kids with a little help from Uncle Jesse and Joey, and he did it to perfection. He taught the kids very important lessons about how to keep to their morals and always do what’s right, even if it is hard. The show has held up over time and you can watch it every year and continue to see a quality dad doing his best.

Cringe Dad: Al Bundy

• Show: “Married with Children”
• Actor: Ed O’Neil
• Show Run: April 5, 1987 to May 5, 1997

For a decade, “Married With Children” was one of the dominating shows on the Fox network and it had a lot of fans. Of all the characters, most people loved Dad Al Bundy the most. On the surface, he was a man who was just trying to provide a life for his family and put food on the table. However, while he did so, he insulted his family, lusted after other women, and constantly berated his son and daughter. While it was funny back then, it’s easy to see today that Al is a womanizer and it’s enough to make you cringe.

Relatable Dad: Tim Taylor

• Show: “Home Improvement”
• Actor: Tim Allen
• Show Run: September 17, 1991 to May 25, 1999

If you’re a man who wants to raise your kids with a love of construction and a knowledge of how to fix things around the house, then Tim Taylor is likely one of the most relatable fathers in your book. He was a bit rough around the edges, but most fathers are in one way or another. In addition to wanting to the best for his family, he was also a celebrity with his show, so he had a lot going for him. Yes, Tim Taylor was a bit of a goofball with his grunts and noises, but all of the best fathers have their quirks. All in all, we think he’s a winner.

Relatable Dad: Homer Simpson

• Show: “The Simpsons”
• Actor: Dan Castellaneta (Voice)
• Show Run: December 17, 1989 – Present

Yes, he’s a cartoon, and yes, he’s kind of a buffoon at times, but we still think he’s one of the most relatable TV dads. He’s another one of those guys that makes a fool out of himself more often than not but he’s doing it in the best interest of his family. No, he’s not perfect, but no dad is. “The Simpsons” has been on for over 30 years, and throughout it all, Homer has remained a constant, and he will go down as one of the greatest TV characters of all time, animated or not.

Cringe Dad: Archie Bunker

• Show: “All in the Family”
• Actor: Carroll O’Connor
• Show Run: January 12, 1971 to April 8, 1979

Archie Bunker was the head of the family and the main character of the sitcom “All in the Family.” He was a family man, a blue-collar worker, and a World War II veteran. However, while he had his good points, he was far from perfect. In fact, by today’s standards, he was pretty cringey. Many people would see him as racist and sexist. He always said what was on his mind, regardless of how inappropriate it was. Some say his behavior is due to his rough past, but still, he’s a character that could never exist today.

Relatable Dad: Phil Dunphy

• Show: “Modern Family”
• Actor: Ty Burrell
• Show Run: September 23, 2009 to April 8, 2020

Talk about a guy who would do anything for his family! Phil Dunphy was the ultimate father of three kids and a loving husband to his wife. His entire existence revolved around ensuring that his family was cared for and that they had everything they needed to live the best life. While he was the man of the house, he also had a child-like deadener which was hard not to love. You could even call him the more modern Danny Tanner. He always had some great advice and a very funny one-liner to go along with it. Most people wish they had a lovable father like Phil.

Relatable Dad: Dan Conner

• Show: “Roseanne”
• Actor: John Goodman
• Show Run: October 18, 1988 to May 20, 1997

One of the most controversial sitcoms over the past decades is “Roseanne,” but that’s just because the show mimicked life in real families across the country, especially in the Midwest. Parents do the best they can, even if their kids face hardships along the way, and this was proven by Dan Conner. He was a great dad and he was more realistic than many of the other dads on TV. He did get mad sometimes and say things he shouldn’t, but he always meant the best. He is truly a dad that most fathers in the real world can relate to.

Cringe Dad: Frank Gallagher

• Show: “Shameless”
• Actor: William H. Macy
• Show Run: January 9, 2011 to April 11, 2021

As the name of the show implies, the characters don’t have a lot of great moments and that’s especially true for dad Frank Gallagher. He’s a drinker who is always hatching up a new scheme to make money without really working, whether it’s scamming the government or trying to get money from the Make-a-Wish Foundation by convincing his son that he has cancer. Frank Gallagher is not a good man and he is not a father that anyone should try to emulate. If the show wasn’t supposed to be a comedy, it would just be sad. Part of this believable cringe is due to the great acting of William H. Macy.

Relatable Dad: Phillip Banks

• Show: “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”
• Actor: James Avery
• Show Run: September 10, 1990 to May 20, 1996

Next on our list of relatable TV dads is Phillip Banks. While we may not be able to relate to his millions of dollars or his mansion, we can relate to how he cared about his family. He was a hero to his biological kids and he was also a great uncle to Will Smith’s character. Phillip Banks always exuded authority, and his kids listened to him without delay, but it wasn’t out of fear, it was out of respect. Uncle Phil showed us that it isn’t millions of dollars that make for a great family, it’s being a great father and caretaker.

Relatable Dad: Carl Winslow

• Show: “Family Matters”
• Actor: Reginald VelJohnson
• Show Run: September 22, 1989 to May 9, 1997

Carl Winslow was relatable by all the working fathers out there. Carl worked as a police officer during the day, and when he got home, he had to police his large family, including children and the adults in the house. While each episode was funny and had quirky antics, at the end of each show, Carl always had a lesson to impart to his kids, and they always understood. He was a good dad who kept his composure regardless of his run-ins with Steve Urkel, and we loved every minute of it. This guy was truly the father of the year.

Cringe Dad: Red Foreman

• Show: “That 70’s Show”
• Actor: Kurtwood Smith
• Show Run: August 23, 1998 to May 18, 2006

As a comedic father on a sitcom, Red Foreman was quite funny. However, he was often not the positive role model that kids need as they grow and learn about the world. A major part of Red’s parenting style was to berate his son with insults, including calling him a “dumba**” in almost every episode. While it’s good to try and help your kids mature into adults and learn important lessons, there is such a thing as taking it too far. Red Foreman will go down in sitcom history, but maybe not for the right reasons.

Relatable Dad: Mike Brady

• Show: “The Brady Bunch”
• Actor: Robert Reed
• Show Run: September 26, 1969 to March 8, 1974

Easily one of the most relatable TV dads, Mike Brady certainly deserves a place on top of this list. In fact, if you look up “great TV dad” in the dictionary, his name will likely come up. Yes, he may seem like too much of a perfect father, but that’s what all men should strive to be. Like many other dads on this list, Mike Brady was respected, and he always had a valuable lesson to teach his many kids, and they took it to heart. Many people dream of being the ideal dad, and this is as close as you’ll get.

Cringe Dad: Frank Reynolds

• Show: “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”
• Actor: Danny DeVito
• Show Run: August 4, 2005 — Present

As a father, you’re supposed to be a role model to your children. While you can have some fun, your main responsibility is to be their rock. In the case of Frank Reynolds, he’s more about having a good time and being a friend to his son rather than a dad. He’s also not a good role model. He’s always hatching new schemes and engaging in dangerous activity that includes waving a gun around more often than he should. Frank Reynolds is funny on the show, but he’s a caricature of a father and not someone who should be emulated. 

Relatable Dad: Louis Huang

• Show: “Fresh Off the Boat”
• Actor: Randall Park
• Show Run: February 4, 2015 and February 21, 2020

Most of the relatable TV dads on this list are so appealing because they’re incredibly nice and supportive. Few are as supportive as Louis Huang, a dad and restaurant owner who would do anything for his family. Sometimes, you might say that he cared too much. He ran a restaurant and treated the staff like family. That’s how nice he was. He also taught his kids great lessons so that they could follow in his footsteps and become successful adults. We all wish we had a dad like Louis.

Relatable Dad: Ray Barone

• Show: “Everyone Loves Raymond”
• Actor: Ray Romano
• Show Run: September 13, 1996 to May 16, 2005

The final of the relatable TV dads is the irritable but loving father Ray Barone on “Everyone Loves Raymond.” Ray was loved to death by his own parents who lived across the street, and he passed on that love to his family. Yes, Ray could get a little angry sometimes but he always put his family first. Any dad that claims that they never get upset is likely lying, so Ray is a very relatable character that we still love watching to this day.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Haelen Haagen/Shutterstock.com.