Here are 10 single fathers on TV – from the zombie-slaying Rick Grimes on The Walking Dead and Supernatural’s ghost-busting John Winchester to the warm, loving Ignacio Suarez from Ugly Betty.
Joe West (The Flash)
Some of The Flash’s best emotional moments are when it focuses on the relationship between Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) and his adoptive dad, Joe West (Jesse L. Martin).
There are plenty of good times, but even if Joe and Barry do argue or disagree over a couple of things, they would hug it out and settle those differences by trusting each other.
Simply put, they are each other’s heroes.
Jack Bauer (24)
Kim Bauer (Elisha Cuthbert) may very well be the most annoying fictional daughter on TV. So, you really can’t blame the audience for cheering on when a mountain lion pursued her during a pathetic escape attempt from her kidnapper.
So, it’s double credit to Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), who can beat an enemy into submission, for his dedication (not to mention patience) towards everything he does for Kim. The guy saved the world again and again for her, after all.
The Flash
24
Castle
Richard Castle (Castle)
Having been raised by a single parent himself, Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) always makes sure his daughter knows she is the most important person in his life above his career and social life.
This explains why he never hired a nanny; choosing instead to raise Alexis (Molly C. Quinn) by himself … with a little help from his mum, who lives with him.
While he’s quite a fun dad, Richard can be strict too. The fact that Alexis turns out to be quite a sensible young woman, who can give Richard sound advice when he needs it, proves he’s done a good job.
Tony Micelli (Who’s The Boss? )
Tony Micelli (Tony Danza) must be saluted for breaking all kinds of stereotypes: The former professional athlete not only took on the job of a housekeeper but he’s also a great single dad.
How great? He bought a bra for his teenage daughter Sam (Alyssa Milano) despite being embarrassed about the whole thing and was totally upset that his little girl was growing up too fast.
Plus, “Mr Good Mum” not only cared for Sam, he also took genuine interest in the well-being of his employer’s young son, Jonathan.
Danny Tanner (Full House )
What makes Danny Tanner (Bob Saget) a great father is that he isn’t afraid to ask for help. And who’s better at helping out than his own family members and good friends?
When his wife dies suddenly, leaving him with the sole responsibility of raising his three daughters, including a baby girl, Danny turned to his brother-in-law and a childhood friend to help parent the girls.
As we know, Full House became Fuller House recently.
Who’s The Boss?
Full House
Rick Grimes (The Walking Dead )
Being a single dad is already hard enough; The Walking Dead’s Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) has to be one while navigating through a zombie apocalypse.
Rick’s love for his son Carl (Chandler Riggs) – he’ll do anything in his power to make sure he’s safe – is one of the most beautiful things about the show. But he is more than just a father to Carl. The way he watches out for the group of survivors he leads, Rick is a father to many others as well.
John Winchester (Supernatural )
John Winchester (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) probably wasn’t the kind of father who told his sons Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) that there were no monsters under the bed. After their mother was killed by a demon in the middle of the night, John raised his sons to hunt supernatural creatures fearlessly.
While John was not the perfect father – he was often away fighting off evil forces, leaving older brother Dean to be the man of the house – he did the best he could to ensure his family’s safety and passed on his knowledge as a hunter to his sons.
Supernatural
George Altman (Suburgatory )
Single father George (Jeremy Sisto), who knows nothing about the mind of a teenage girl, but always tries his best to understand his 16-year-old daughter Tessa (Jane Levy). It doesn’t always turn out well, but George’s heart is in the right place.
Fred Andrews (Riverdale )
Like most teenagers, Riverdale’s Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) changes his mind a million times a day. One moment, he wants to play football, the next, he wants to develop his musical talent. And don’t even get us started on his messy love life – a pendulum that swings between Veronica and Josie And The Pussycat’s Valerie (and sometimes, Betty).
No matter what his decisions (or indecisions), Archie’s father Fred (Luke Perry) has stood by him through it all. While Fred wanted his son to follow in his footsteps in the construction business, he gradually accepted and supported Archie’s music endeavours.
In a town so rife with lies and deception, it’s nice to see that the single dad didn’t succumb to any underhand dealings especially when the going gets tough, thus setting a good example for Archie.
Ignacio Suarez (Ugly Betty )
As the single father to Betty (America Ferrera) and Hilda (Ana Ortiz), and grandfather to Justin (Mark Indelicato), Ignacio Suarez (Tony Plana) always knew just the right thing to say.
After a long, difficult day at Mode magazine, you could count on Ignacio’s warm, soothing voice to comfort Betty.
Sure, he had doubts when the less-than-fashionable Betty first announced she was going to work at a fashion magazine, but his love and support for her never waned, and that’s probably what made Betty the optimistic, glass half full person she is on the show.
Suburgatory
Riverdale
Ugly Betty
