The TV and movie dads we love and hate
They’re thoroughly modern men — complex, conflicted and fascinating. To celebrate Father’s Day, from superhero stay-at-home dads to cartoon stuff-ups, worrying warlords to dystopian killers, we nominate our favourite on-screen dads, with all their flaws.
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They’re thoroughly modern men — complex, conflicted and fascinating. To celebrate Father’s Day, from superhero stay-at-home dads to cartoon stuff-ups, worrying warlords to dystopian killers, Kerry Parnell nominates our favourite on-screen fathers, with all their flaws.
NED STARK
Game of Thrones
Clearly the good guy — Ned (Sean Bean) was a loving father who taught his children right from wrong, then carted them directly into danger and got his head chopped off. This was an error.
Dad hack: Be willing to put your head on the chopping block for your clan.
TONY SOPRANO
The Sopranos
It’s important to set an example to your kids, even when you are a mob boss. Tony (James Gandolfini) tried really hard to be a good dad, even when he was a
bad person.
Dad hack: Make time for a family dinner — you never know when it might be your last.
DAN CONNER
Roseanne
He is honest, vulnerable and reliable — the kind of dad we all want. Plus he can come back from the dead. But can Dan (John Goodman) survive as a widower, with sacked Roseanne killed off for the spin-off show The Conners?
Dad hack: Remember the show must go on — literally.
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HAN SOLO
Star Wars
Han (Harrison Ford) spent his whole life fighting against the dark side only to be killed by the son he could not save from it. Annoying.
Dad hack: It’s OK not to follow your dad into the family business.
THANOS
Avengers: Infinity War
He’s the ultimate space daddy, a maniacal Titan with a heart of gold. Thanos (Josh Brolin) tortures his adopted daughters Gamora and Nebula, in order to turn them into super-assassins. He meant well.
Dad hack: Don’t be too hard on your offspring.
ATTICUS FINCH
To Kill A Mockingbird
Atticus (Gregory Peck) demonstrated if you want to show your children what’s right, you need to fight for the truth, even if it puts your family at risk.
Dad hack: Be firm, but fair. Aim for Atticus.
HOMER SIMPSON
The Simpsons
What best dad list could be complete without Homer (Dan Castellaneta) Despite the Bart-strangling and Duff-guzzling, he quit his dream job in a bowling alley to provide for his family and took a night job at Kwik-E-Mart to buy Lisa a pony.
Dad hack: Even losers are winners.
ERIC TAYLOR
Friday Night Lights
Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) is tough on the field but tender at home. He gives up a high-flying job for his wife’s career and mentors all his footie players into becoming modern men. He’s the ultimate renaissance man.
Basically perfect.
Dad hack: Clear eyes, full heart, can’t lose.
RAGNAR LOTHBROK
Vikings
Everyone thinks their dad is a hero when they are young, and Ragnar Lothbrok was, building his kingdom and taking new ones all for his kids’ future. Even if he didn’t seem to like them much.
Dad hack: Try to find a work/life balance between pillaging and home life.
MR INCREDIBLE
The Incredibles
All fathers are superheroes, not least the stay-at-home dads. Mr Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) learns he doesn’t have to save the world all by himself — his family will do it for him.
Dad hack: It’s all about team work, even when you are incredible.
DON DRAPER
Mad Men
He has built himself a successful career and loves his children dearly, he just can’t tell them because (a) his father starved him of affection, (b) he’s a 1960s dad and (c) he’s completely screwed up. But he does wear nice suits.
Dad hack: You can look cool and not be ice-cold.
RICK GRIMES
The Walking Dead
It’s the end of the world and the living dead are roaming about trying to eat you. It’s now you’d want bad ass cop Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) as your gun-slinging dad — he’ll train you up in zombie-brain-bashing and even let you wear his hat.
Dad hack: Take your kid to work and let them see what you really do
WALTER WHITE
Breaking Bad
There’s nothing this mild-mannered chemistry teacher wouldn’t do for his family, including becoming a maniacal drug lord in the evenings.
Dad hack: Need cash? You are never too old to learn new skills.