19 of the very best fictional dads of all time — and 10 of the worst

Pedro Pascal as each Din Djarin in “The Mandalorian” and Joel in “The Final of Us” had everybody on the web calling him a daddy.

In 2023, Pascal concurrently appeared on two of the most important exhibits on TV. First, he reprised his function as Din Djarin in season three of “The Mandalorian,” by which he performs a bounty hunter turned adoptive dad to a creature previously referred to as Child Yoda (now Grogu). Their bond has been one of the universally beloved issues in popular culture of the previous few years.

After which, he traded outer area for a zombie pandemic on HBO’s “The Final of Us,” an adaption of the hit online game of the identical title. As soon as once more, he performs a gruff adoptive father, this time named Joel, who makes it his mission to securely transport Ellie (performed by Bella Ramsey) throughout the nation to probably discover a treatment.

In each sequence, Pascal’s characters proved themselves to be loving fathers who would cease at nothing to guard their children.

Troy Kotsur received an Oscar for his efficiency as an all-time nice film dad in “CODA.”

Greatest image winner “CODA” (Baby of Deaf Adults), is the story of Ruby (Emilia Jones), the one listening to individual in her household. However, in a accident, Ruby’s true dream in life is to sing and attend the Berklee Faculty of Music in Boston for school.

Understandably, her household cannot completely relate to Ruby’s goals. However in one of many sweetest scenes within the film, Frank (Kotsur), asks his daughter to sing whereas he places his palms on her throat to really feel the vibrations. It is genuinely beautiful.

Coach Eric Taylor was not solely an excellent dad to his two daughters, however he was an unbelievable father determine for the entire Dillon Panthers (and East Dillon Lions) in “Friday Night time Lights.”

Throughout 5 seasons and two soccer groups, Coach Taylor, performed by Kyle Chandler, was, as his spouse mentioned, “a molder of males.” A few of his greatest “parenting” moments did not even come from his relationship together with his daughter Julie — although there have been some — however from his talks with gamers Matt Saracen, Tim Riggins, Jason Road, and Vince Howard.

A second that stands out is when, within the sequence finale, Coach Taylor tells Vince (performed by a younger Michael B. Jordan) that he “could by no means know the way proud I’m of you,” and Vince replies with a easy, “You modified my life, Coach.” We suspect Vince is not the one one whose life was modified by Eric Taylor.

Jack Pearson’s shadow loomed so giant over “This Is Us” that his fictional children by no means obtained over his loss of life.

Jack, performed by Milo Ventimiglia, is what many would name “good” — even because the present went out of its method to show he isn’t. Jack at all times had a speech for his every of his three children, whether or not it was telling Kate that she was stunning simply the best way she was, defending Kevin from his abusive soccer coach, or displaying Randall how a lot he cared by doing push-up after push-up at karate class.

In actual fact, it is the actual fact Jack is flawed that makes him such an exquisite dad — he tried to assist his children keep away from repeating his errors (generally unsuccessfully). The loss of life of Jack was so traumatic for viewers that Crock-Pot needed to difficulty a press release explaining how the circumstances resulting in his loss of life would not actually occur.

And Jack’s parenting made an influence — his son Randall can also be an exquisite dad.

In actual fact, Randall (performed by Sterling Ok. Brown) would possibly even be a greater dad to his three daughters. He supported Tess when she comes out and made it some extent to bond with Deja, his and Beth’s adopted daughter, over their shared experiences. Randall went via the ringer over all six seasons of “This Is Us,” however his dedication to being dad by no means wavered.

In a present filled with completely horrible mother and father, “Riverdale’s” Fred Andrews was a lone beacon of strong fatherhood.

After all, Fred was sadly misplaced too quickly when actor Luke Perry died in 2019 between filming seasons three and 4. However whereas he was round, he was probably the one good father within the city of Riverdale — his competitors being Jughead’s absentee father FP, Betty’s serial killer father Hal, Cheryl’s killer father Cliff, Reggie’s abusive father, and Veronica’s cartoonishly evil father Hiram. Solely Sheriff Keller may’ve given Fred a run for his cash.

Fred supported Archie’s goals, whether or not it was music or soccer, was at all times sounding board, and left Archie with a long-lasting respect and love for his hometown that’s nonetheless felt years later.

Above all else, Scott Lang’s important focus is getting again to his daughter, Cassie, within the “Ant-Man” movies.

The entire motive Scott — performed completely by Paul Rudd — grew to become Ant-Man within the first place was to try to earn a living to pay youngster assist and see his daughter, Cassie.

Their steadfast devotion to one another makes for one of many MCU’s most stunning relationships. Who amongst us did not weep when Scott reunited together with his Peanut in “Endgame” after years (for her) of separation?

All through “By no means Have I Ever,” viewers have been handled to flashbacks of the connection between Devi and her father, Mohan.

Mohan (performed by Sendhil Ramamurthy) and Devi’s relationship is on the coronary heart of “By no means Have I Ever,” as viewers obtained to look at Mohan encourage his daughter’s love for the harp and plant a backyard of their yard collectively. He was additionally the one one who may calm Devi down when she will get indignant.

His loss of life left a gap within the Vishwakumar family, however Devi took the teachings she discovered from him via the remainder of the present.

Andy Taylor from “The Andy Griffith Present” is likely one of the prototypical TV dads.

For eight seasons, viewers may tune in every week to look at Andy (performed by Griffith) dispense knowledge to his son Opie with humor and kindness that all of us may use in our lives every now and then.

In a TV panorama that is now crammed with anti-heroes and household dysfunction, there is a want for extra dads like Andy.

Olive’s dad, Dill Penderghast, in “Straightforward A” is well top-of-the-line dads of the teenager comedy style.

Each few months, the web appears to do not forget that Stanley Tucci performed top-of-the-line film dads in latest historical past in “Straightforward A.”

Dill is quick-witted, helps his daughter with no reservations, and — together with on-screen spouse Rosemary (performed by Patricia Clarkson) — gives his daughter with strong recommendation all through.

Marlin traveled your entire ocean to seek out his son in “Discovering Nemo.”

Positive, Marlin, voiced by Albert Brooks, could also be overprotective to a fault — nevertheless it’s not each fish that may journey your entire ocean looking for one small clownfish.

“Discovering Nemo” is, at its core, a narrative of a father studying to let go with the intention to let his son expertise all of life, each positives and negatives. It is a lesson all mother and father study sooner or later or one other, however not often is it as enjoyable as it’s on this Pixar gem.

Samuel’s speech about love in “Name Me by Your Identify” is a top-tier film dad second.

Michael Stuhlbarg’s efficiency as Elio’s dad within the movie sneaks up on you — at first you suppose he is simply going to be a typical film dad, not an enormous presence.

However when Elio is devastated by his breakup with Oliver, Samuel reveals he knew about their relationship the entire time, and he encourages his son to not shut down, however to really feel his grief and unhappiness and to develop from it. It is price watching the speech in full.

Miles’ dad, Jefferson Davis, in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is attempting his greatest, and we love him for it.

Jefferson, voiced by Brian Tyree Henry, solely desires what’s greatest for his son Miles. However that does not imply the 2’s relationship is easy crusing — Miles does not really feel like his father understands him and does not assist his love for road artwork, however by the tip of the movie, the 2 have come collectively to honor Jefferson’s brother and Miles’ uncle, Aaron.

Within the 2023 sequel, “Throughout the Spider-Verse,” Miles and his dad have a heartwarming scene about how badly they need to join with one another regardless that Miles remains to be mendacity about being Spider-Man, and Miles even defies the legal guidelines of the universe to ensure his father is protected.

Atticus Finch in “To Kill a Mockingbird” is probably the wisest dad on this record.

The influence of Atticus — performed by Gregory Peck in an Oscar-winning efficiency — on the authorized group can’t be overstated. Even Barack Obama quoted him in his farewell deal with in 2017, calling him “one of many nice characters in American fiction.”

He quoted him as such: “You by no means actually perceive an individual till you think about issues from his perspective … till you climb into his pores and skin and stroll round in it.”

Atticus, father to Scout and Jem, is a lawyer within the Alabama city of Maycomb. All through the novel, he defends Tom, a Black man wrongfully accused of rape. By way of all of it, Atticus stays steadfast in his protection, and in turns imparts that lesson on Scout.

The much less we discuss “Go Set a Watchman” the higher.

The very best relationship in “Glee” will at all times be the bond between Kurt and his father, Burt.

On paper, it looks like “Glee” can be organising a contentious relationship between Kurt, a homosexual teenager residing in Ohio, and his father, Burt, performed by Mike O’Malley, a extra historically masculine individual.

However from the minute that Kurt comes out to his dad, Burt turns into his greatest supporter — he makes it some extent to face up for Kurt when he desires to sing “Defying Gravity,” he yells at Finn when he makes use of a slur in entrance of Kurt, and is well the very best grownup on the present.

And now, for the worst. Bart Bass, Chuck’s dad in “Gossip Lady,” faked his personal loss of life and later tried to homicide his personal son.

Even earlier than the entire faux loss of life factor, Bart (Robert John Burke) was a fully horrible mum or dad. He always put Chuck down, by no means believed in him, and was simply … the worst.

Then, while you add in that he let his solely son consider he was useless for years, traumatizing him, after which finally makes an attempt to kill a number of instances, you might have an all-time unhealthy dad. No marvel Chuck let him fall off a constructing.

Frank Gallagher was abusive, a raging alcoholic, and a deadbeat dad to the very finish.

Positive, Frank, performed completely by William H. Macy, liked his children, in his personal means. However while you depart your oldest daughter accountable for your 5 different children so you possibly can go off and drink your weight in alcohol, rip-off the system in any means potential, and are actually pushed off a bridge by your children, you are one of many worst fictional dads of all time.

Turning into a drug kingpin since you like the ability, like Walter White on “Breaking Unhealthy,” makes you a less-than-stellar father.

For many of “Breaking Unhealthy’s” run, Walter, performed by Bryan Cranston, claimed that he had change into Heisenberg, a lethal meth kingpin, to assist his spouse and youngsters and supply for them after he died of lung most cancers.

However because the years glided by, the most cancers stopped progressing and Walter grew to become increasingly more indifferent from his humanity. By the tip, Walter lastly admitted what we the viewers and his spouse already knew — he did it as a result of he appreciated it.

Killing a whole bunch, if not 1000’s, of your individual children to additional your individual evil plans means Ego, the villain of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” simply makes the record.

Ego (Kurt Russell) would possibly really be the worst dad within the MCU, which is saying one thing. He nearly brags to his son Peter about what number of of his personal children he is killed within the quest for energy, admits to Peter that he killed his mother, after which, when Peter is rightfully upset and attempting to cease his dad from taking up your entire universe, he makes an attempt to kill him.

We must always’ve recognized with a reputation like Ego that he was to not be trusted, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a intestine punch.

“Recreation of Thrones’” Tywin Lannister is so hated by his offspring that his personal son murdered him on the bathroom — on Father’s Day no much less.

Charles Dance’s flawless portrayal of Tywin apart — we are able to all agree he was a fully horrendous father, proper? He was so blinded by conceitedness, he had no concept his twins had been secretly hooking up for his or her complete lives, and he was so disgusted by Tyrion he could not see that Tyrion was the neatest one in all all.

Tywin tried a number of instances to kill Tyrion, resulting in his youngest son killing him on the bathroom with a crossbow in an episode that iconically aired on Father’s Day.

Darth Vader being his father in “Star Wars” was worst-case situation for one Luke Skywalker.

“No, I’m your father.” With these 5 phrases, “Star Wars” cemented itself as having the best plot twist of all time — as an alternative of his father dying a hero, like he thought, Luke as an alternative found his father grew to become one of the terrifying villains of all time: Darth Vader.

Possibly he redeemed himself ultimately … however keep in mind the younglings!

Plus, with the inclusion of Darth Vader, James Earl Jones (the voice of each Vader and Mufasa) is the one actor to be each top-of-the-line and one of many worst dads.

Jack Torrance from “The Shining” is yet one more father who tried to kill his personal offspring.

Whereas it may not be completely his fault that he obtained possessed by the spirits of the Overlook Lodge, Jack (Jack Nicholson) had already damaged his personal child’s arm whereas he was drunk. That is unhealthy sufficient by itself, however add within the tried homicide of his spouse and son, and you have got your self an all-time unhealthy dad.

Vito Corleone could declare that the whole lot he did was for his household in “The Godfather,” however that does not excuse his horrible parenting.

Leaving out the crime and murders he dedicated as a part of the Mafia, the Don, performed by Marlon Brando, was an abjectly horrible father. He obtained his sons in on the organized crime enterprise, main them on a path of fratricide, betrayals, abusive relationships, and extra.

Who is aware of what would possibly’ve occurred if Michael had stayed away from the household, like he wished to.

It is one factor to have an acrimonious relationship together with your father, it is one other to have him flip into Spider-Man’s archenemy, the Inexperienced Goblin.

Even earlier than Norman Osborn, performed by Willem Dafoe, grew to become the Inexperienced Goblin in “Spider-Man,” he wasn’t nice on the complete fatherhood factor. He was absentee at greatest, uncaring and snobby at worst.

When you added within the serum that turned him into Inexperienced Goblin, Norman went full evil — killing enterprise companions, insulting his son and his girlfriend, and trying to kill Peter — and he turns into irredeemable.

Logan Roy from “Succession” has his children concurrently hating him and begging for his approval.

Logan, the patriarch of the Roy household performed by Brian Cox, terrorizes his children extra successfully than any dad on this record.

He often pits them towards one another, dangles rewards over their heads solely to jerk them round, and has pushed not less than one child to drug dependancy.

No spoilers, however you get the total image of how abusive Logan was to his children throughout the closing season of the present, which wrapped up in Might 2023.