This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on June 20, 2015.
It’s hard to be a dad.
Raising a family is difficult enough when it’s planned, but life can be full of unexpected surprises.
In honor of Father’s Day, here are some TV dads who stepped up to the plate.
LUKE DANES, “GILMORE GIRLS”
While Luke (Scott Patterson) helped take of Rory Gilmore, the daughter of his love, Lorelai, fatherhood wasn’t really on his radar.
And then April Nardini (Vanessa Marano) showed up. The smart preteen won over the heart of the diner owner after she conducted a science experiment to determine who her father was.
And once Luke got to know her, he couldn’t let her go, and he even fought for custody when her mother moved.
BARNEY STINSON, “HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER”
Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris), the legendary playmaker, was probably the last character on HIMYM anyone would expect to have a child.
But after his “perfect month,” Barney found out he would become a father. No one was quite sure how he would handle it, but the precious moment in the series finale where he holds his daughter for the first time and promises to always love her was one of the best scenes of the finale.
JOEY GLADSTONE AND JESSE KATSOPOLIS, “FULL HOUSE”
Give these two credit for stepping up to take care of Danny’s three girls.
They dropped everything in their lives — including volatile, elusive careers in comedy and music — to move in and love three young children … and they clearly had no idea what they were doing.
And even when Jesse (John Stamos) tried to run away from responsibility in season 1, he came back, knowing how much those girls meant to him.
MR. TURNER, “BOY MEETS WORLD”
The hunky teacher becomes … a dad?
Mr. Turner, everyone’s favorite English teacher, took care of Shawn Hunter (Rider Strong) when his parents flaked out on him.
Shawn needed a solid influence, and Mr. Turner was that, along with being the cool guy to whom Shawn could relate.
UNCLE PHIL, “THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR”
Uncle Phil had kids, but taking care of his nephew wasn’t really in his plan.
Will (Will Smith) was the opposite of Uncle Phil (James Avery). Chaotic vs. reserved. Wild vs. proper.
They didn’t always get along, but in time, Uncle Phil provided the fatherly influence Will needed in his life.
Honorable mentions go to:
- Philip Drummond from “Diff’rent Strokes”
- Uncle Bill Davis and Mr. French from “Family Affair”
- Matthew from “Anne of Green Gables”
Which TV dads do you think stepped up to the plate?