TV Guide's 50 Greatest Dads and Moms of All Time
This list is a list of the 50 greatest fathers and mothers in television history. Highlights diversity and epitome of being parental figures within their families. Excluding TV shows with mixed, negative and panned critical reception. Excluding characters with less than 60 episodes and derived from movies. No specific ranking. F=50 M=50
--Extra Mentions
Little House on the Prairie
Happy Days
7th Heaven
George Lopez
The Munsters
Who's the Boss?
The OC
Family
8 is Enough
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Once & Again
Growing Pains
Lost in Space
Beverly Hills 90210
Everwood
-The Bernie Mac Show
-8 Simple Rules
Roseanne
--Extra Mentions
Little House on the Prairie
Happy Days
7th Heaven
George Lopez
The Munsters
Who's the Boss?
The OC
Family
8 is Enough
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Once & Again
Growing Pains
Lost in Space
Beverly Hills 90210
Everwood
-The Bernie Mac Show
-8 Simple Rules
Roseanne
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56 titles
- CreatorEarl Hamner Jr.StarsJon WalmsleyMary Beth McDonoughEric ScottThe life and trials of a 1930s and 1940s Virginia mountain family through financial depression and World War II.John Walton Sr.*
Olivia Walton* - StarsDanny ThomasRusty HamerMarjorie LordDanny is a New York entertainer. Between his co-stars at the nightclub where he performs and his wife and kids, he has dilemmas galore, which he somehow manages to resolve and still laugh.Danny Williams *
Margaret Williams* - CreatorEd JamesStarsRobert YoungLauren ChapinJane WyattThe popular radio show comes to life in this hit sitcom about a wise family man, Jim Anderson, his common-sense wife Margaret and their children Betty, Bud and Kathy.Jim Anderson *
Margaret Anderson* - StarsFred MacMurrayStanley LivingstonDon GradyWidower Steve Douglas raises three sons with the help of his father-in-law, and is later aided by the boys' great-uncle. An adopted son, a stepdaughter, wives, and another generation of sons join the loving family in later seasons.Steve Douglas *
Barbara Harper Douglas- - StarsLucille BallDesi ArnazVivian VanceThe wife of a band leader constantly tries to become a star - in spite of her having no talent, and gets herself (along with her best friend) into the funniest predicaments.Lucy Ricardo*
Ricky Ricardo- - CreatorGary David GoldbergStarsMichael J. FoxMichael GrossMeredith BaxterChronicles liberal ex-hippies Steven and Elyse Keaton, their conservative son Alex, daughters Mallory and Jennifer, and later, youngest child Andrew.Steven Keaton *
Elyse Keaton* - CreatorSherwood SchwartzStarsRobert ReedFlorence HendersonAnn B. DavisThe misadventures of a large family united when a widower and a widow marry.Mike Brady *
Carol Brady* - CreatorSol SaksStarsElizabeth MontgomeryDick YorkDick SargentA witch married to an ordinary man cannot resist using her magic powers to solve the problems her family faces.Samantha Stephens*
Darrin Stephens- - CreatorWilliam RobertsStarsDonna ReedPaul PetersenCarl BetzA loving mother and wife deals with situations and problems of a middle-class family in the late 1950s and the early 1960s.Alex Stone *
Donna Stone* - CreatorCarl ReinerStarsDick Van DykeMary Tyler MooreRose MarieThe misadventures of a TV writer both at work and at home.Robert Petrie *
Laura Petrie* - CreatorJoe ConnellyBob MosherDick ConwayStarsJerry MathersHugh BeaumontBarbara BillingsleyThe misadventures of a suburban boy, family and friends.Ward Cleaver *
June Cleaver* - CreatorNorman LearStarsCarroll O'ConnorJean StapletonRob ReinerA working class man constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day.Archie Bunker *
Edith Bunker* - CreatorJames L. BrooksMatt GroeningSam SimonStarsDan CastellanetaNancy CartwrightHarry ShearerThe satiric half-hour adventures of a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield.Homer Simpson *
Marge Simpson* - CreatorWilliam AsherSidney SheldonStarsPatty DukeJean ByronWilliam SchallertTeenager Patty Lane and her worldly identical cousin Cathy navigate family and high school life.Martin Lane *
Natalie Lane* - CreatorNorman LearDon NichollMichael RossStarsIsabel SanfordSherman HemsleyRoxie RokerA nouveau riche, African-American family who move into a luxury apartment building develop close, if occasionally fractious, relationships with other tenants.George Jefferson *
Louise Jefferson* - CreatorMarshall HerskovitzEdward ZwickStarsTimothy BusfieldPolly DraperMel HarrisSeven tricenarians living in Philadelphia struggle with everyday adult angst.Michael Steadman *
Hope Steadman* - CreatorJoseph BarberaWilliam HannaStarsGeorge O'HanlonJanet WaldoMel BlancThe misadventures of a futuristic family.Jane Jetson*
George Jetson- - CreatorDavid LevyStarsJohn AstinCarolyn JonesJackie CooganThe misadventures of a blissfully macabre but extremely loving family.Morticia Addams*
Gomez Addams- - CreatorDavid ChaseStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoNew Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life that affect his mental state, leading him to seek professional psychiatric counseling.Carmela Soprano-
Tony Soprano - CreatorSteven LevitanChristopher LloydStarsEd O'NeillSofía VergaraJulie BowenThree different, but related, families face trials and tribulations in their own uniquely comedic ways.Mitchell Pritchett
Cameron Tucker - CreatorDavid JacobsStarsLarry HagmanKen KerchevalPatrick DuffyJ.R. Ewing, a Texas oil baron, uses manipulation and blackmail to achieve his ambitions, both business and personal. He often comes into conflict with his brother Bobby, his arch-enemy Cliff Barnes and his long-suffering wife Sue Ellen.Clayton Farlow
Ellie Ewing- - CreatorLinwood BoomerMichael GloubermanGary MurphyStarsFrankie MunizBryan CranstonJustin BerfieldA gifted young teen tries to survive life with his dimwitted, dysfunctional family.^Lois Wilkinson*
^Hal Wilkinson- - CreatorJoseph BarberaWilliam HannaStarsAlan ReedMel BlancJean Vander PylThe misadventures of two modern-day Stone Age families, the Flintstones and the Rubbles.Wilma Flintstone*
Fred Flintstone-
Betty Rubble*
Barney Rubble- - StarsLassieJon ProvostJune LockhartThe ongoing saga of the Martin family and their beloved collie, Lassie.Ruth Martin-
Paul Martin-
`Ellen Miller* - CreatorLarry DavidJerry SeinfeldStarsJerry SeinfeldJulia Louis-DreyfusMichael RichardsThe continuing misadventures of neurotic New York City stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his equally neurotic New York City friends.Estelle Constanza*
Frank Constanza- - CreatorSteven BochcoDavid MilchStarsDennis FranzJimmy SmitsGordon ClappDetectives from NYPD's 15th Precinct investigate homicides within their precinct.Andy Sipowicz *
Connie McDowell* - CreatorDavid DortortFred HamiltonStarsLorne GreeneMichael LandonDan BlockerThe Wild West adventures of Ben Cartwright and his sons as they run and defend their Nevada ranch while helping the surrounding community.Ben Cartwright *
- CreatorSheldon LeonardAaron RubenDanny ThomasStarsAndy GriffithRon HowardDon KnottsWidower Sheriff Andy Taylor, and his son Opie, live with Andy's Aunt Bee in Mayberry, North Carolina. With virtually no crimes to solve, most of Andy's time is spent philosophizing and calming down his cousin Deputy Barney Fife.Andy Griffith *
- CreatorJ.J. AbramsStarsJennifer GarnerRon RifkinCarl LumblySydney Bristow is an international spy recruited out of college, trained for espionage and self-defense.Jack Bristow *
- StarsChuck ConnorsJohnny CrawfordPaul FixThe adventures of a Wild West rancher, wielding a customized rapid-fire Winchester rifle, and his son.Lucas McCain *
- CreatorStephen J. CannellRoy HugginsStarsJames GarnerNoah Beery Jr.Joe SantosThe cases of an easy-going ex-convict turned private investigator.Rocky Rockford *
- CreatorNorman LearStarsRedd FoxxDemond WilsonLaWanda PageThe misadventures of a cantankerous junk dealer and his frustrated son.Fred Sanford *
- CreatorSusan HarrisStarsBea ArthurBetty WhiteRue McClanahanFour previously married women live together in Miami, sharing their various experiences together and enjoying themselves despite hard times.Dorothy Zbornak
Rose Nylund
Blanche Devereaux
Sophia Petrillo- - CreatorJon Robin BaitzStarsDave AnnableCalista FlockhartRachel GriffithsThe story of the drama surrounding a family's adult siblings.Nora Walker*
- CreatorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganA young woman, destined to slay vampires, demons and other infernal creatures, deals with her life fighting evil, with the help of her friends.Joyce Summers*
- CreatorA.I. BezzeridesLouis F. EdelmanStarsRichard LongPeter BreckLee MajorsThe Wild West adventures of the Barkley family in California's San Joaquin Valley.`Victoria Barkley*
- CreatorPaul HenningStarsEdgar BuchananLinda HenningBea BenaderetThe misadventures of the family staff of The Shady Rest Hotel and their neighbors of Hooterville.`Kate Bradley*
- CreatorShonda RhimesMichelle LirtzmanStarsEllen PompeoChandra WilsonJames Pickens Jr.A drama centered on the personal and professional lives of five surgical interns and their supervisors.Meredith Grey-
- CreatorAli LeRoiChris RockStarsTerry CrewsTichina ArnoldTequan RichmondA young African-American teen attempts to survive with his dysfunctional family and his all-white school in the 1980s.Rochelle-
Julius- - CreatorCarol BlackNeal MarlensStarsFred SavageDan LauriaAlley MillsKevin Arnold recalls growing up during the late 60s and early 70s; the turbulent social times make the transition from child to adult unusually interesting.Norma Arnold-
Jack Arnold- - CreatorGreg DanielsMike JudgeStarsMike JudgeKathy NajimyPamela AdlonA straight-laced propane salesman in Arlen, Texas tries to deal with the wacky antics of his family and friends, while also trying to keep his son in line.Peggy Hill-
Hank Hill- - CreatorMark McCorkleBob SchooleyStarsChristy Carlson RomanoWill FriedleNancy CartwrightA high school cheerleader and her clumsy best friend balance their duties as global crime-fighters with the typical challenges of adolescence.Ann Possible-
James Possible- - CreatorMichael JacobsApril KellyStarsBen SavageRider StrongWilliam DanielsAn adolescent with two siblings tests his various theories about life as he endures the trials of growing up alongside a good friend.Amy Matthews-
Alan Matthews- - StarsHerbert AndersonJay NorthGloria HenryTelevision episodes built around the same sorts of incidents found in Hank Ketcham's long-running comic strip.Alice Mitchell-
Henry Mitchell- - CreatorBarbara AvedonBarbara CordayStarsTyne DalySharon GlessAl WaxmanTwo female police detectives cooperate with each other both in their professions and in their personal lives.MaryBeth Lacey-
Harvey Lacey- - CreatorSusan HarrisStarsKatherine HelmondRod RoddyRichard MulliganThe soap-operish antics of two families: the Campbells and the Tates.Mary Campbell-
Burt Campbell-
Jessica Tate-
Chester Tate - CreatorMax ShulmanStarsDwayne HickmanBob DenverFrank FaylenA young man schemes and attempts to get the "better things in life" mostly popularity, success, and most importantly, girls.Winifred Gillis-
Herbert T. Gillis- - CreatorTed KeyStarsShirley BoothBobby BuntrockDon DeForeThe misadventures of the Baxter family and their live-in maid, Hazel Burke.Dorothy Baxter-
George Baxter- - StarsStuart ErwinJune CollyerAnn E. ToddStu Erwin played a mild-mannered high-school principal, with June Collyer as his wife.June Erwin-
Stu Erwin- - CreatorMichael PoryesSusan ShermanStarsRaven-SymonéOrlando BrownAnneliese van der PolA teenage girl periodically receives brief psychic visions of the near future. Trying to make these visions come true results in trouble, and hilarious situations, for the girl and her friends.Tanya Baxter-
Victor Baxter- - CreatorRob ThomasStarsKristen BellJason DohringEnrico ColantoniAfter her best friend is murdered, and her father is removed as county Sheriff, Veronica Mars dedicates her life to cracking the toughest mysteries in the affluent town of Neptune.Keith Mars-
- StarsRobert CummingsAnn B. DavisRosemary DeCampThe romantic misadventures of Bob Collins, a suave, sophisticated bachelor and photographer operating in Hollywood, California. The show is centered around his womanizing ways with his models, and his sister's attempts to make him settle down.`Margaret MacDonald-
- CreatorJames FritzellStarsDoris DayPhilip BrownTodd StarkeAfter spending most of her life in big cities, widow Doris Martin decides to move back to the family ranch.`Doris Martin-
- StarsDaniel BrochuJ.T. TurnerJodie RestherBased on the books by Marc Brown, these are the adventures of Arthur, an 8-year-old aardvark, and his family and friends as they grow up and learn how to be good neighbors to one another.Jane & David Read
Bitzi & Bo Baxter
Cisely & Rufus Compson
Doria & Mr. Walters
Millicent & Ed Crosswire
Laverne & Oliver Frensky
Wanda & Mr. Deegan
Mrs. & Neal Lundgren
Mrs. & Ramon Molina
Mrs. & Mr. Barnes
Mrs. & Mr. Armstrong
-Mrs. & Mr. Morgan
Mrs. & Mr. Powers
Mrs. & Mr. MacDonald - CreatorJoan Ganz CooneyLloyd Morrisett Jr.StarsJim HensonFrank OzCaroll SpinneyOn a special inner city street, the inhabitants, human and muppet, teach preschool subjects with comedy, cartoons, games, and songs.