For many of us, the dads on some of our favorite shows also served as great father figures. In honor of Father’s Day, we’re sharing our favorite TV Dads. Check out our top 10 best Black TV Dads.
Carl Winslow
Played by Reginald VelJohnson on ‘Family Matters’
Carl had to be one of the most patient people ever, on TV or otherwise. Not only would the neighbor kid go up to his house anytime he pleased, but Steve Urkel was responsible for an increase of many hundred thousand dollars in their home renovation bill. Eddie matured from a kook to a college student and responsible adult, and Laura became a beautiful person, but Carl was always there for them when they needed him. There was more than one incident when Carl came close to death, but Urkel always managed to rescue him since, in his words, Carl was “the greatest person I knew.” That statement came from Urkel’s own father. But what really distinguished Carl was his unflappability when one of his own children disappeared without a trace. The best ones always keep things moving.
Best Quote: “When you make a mistake, you fess up to it. Trying to cover it up would only make it worse.”
Andre “Dre” Johnson
Played by Anthony Anderson on ‘Black-ish’
Dre is such a likable protagonist because his existence represents the American Dream for so many. He lived in a posh area, could afford whatever pair of shoes he wanted, and was blessed with bright, compassionate kids. Even at his worst, his decision-making was always based on ensuring that his family looked good as a unit. This is ironic given that his paranoia stems from his own success, a concept Kenya Barris continues to explore. When Dre wears his Gucci clothes, he considers the message he could be sending to the neighborhood he comes from. He then goes out and buys more to dull the ache.
Best Quote: “What if he never goes back, Bow? I don’t know where I would have been without college. When I was a kid walking through my neighborhood, the only jobs I thought you could have were a postman, a barber, or a bus driver. All of them are good, but college taught me the world was bigger than my block.”
Phillip Banks
Played by James Avery on ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’
Regarding television dads of African descent, no one can compare to Uncle Phil (or Daddy, as his kids called him). The moniker “teddy bear” was coined for Philip. Despite appearances, these folks are kind and generous. He loved and supplied for his family, even if they often got on his nerves. Philip and his family took in Will, his wife’s brash nephew from Philadelphia, not because Will had nowhere else to go, but because he and his family, especially his father, were just what Will needed to adjust to adulthood. Will understood that his Uncle Phil loved him and treated him like a son, even though he and Phil had a history of disagreements. Will’s deadbeat dad’s frequent appearances and disappearances, with Uncle Phil there to take the anger and then the tears, is one of the most striking images of black fatherhood in television history.
Best Quote: “I’m your father. It is my job to protect you. It’s a job I refuse to quit and at which I can’t afford to fail.”
Bernie Mac
Played by Bernie Mac on ‘The Bernie Mac Show’
Bernie Mac represented the many African-American uncles who have stepped in to raise their young nephews and nieces. Bernie and Wanda adopt two children after Bernie’s sister becomes too addicted to drugs to care for them. Bernie is a perfect example of the stereotype of the strict but humorous TV dad. He demonstrated unapologetically that a parent could love their child deeply while also believing in the efficacy of the old-fashioned butt-whooping threat as a form of discipline, a nuance I’m sure many Black parents found refreshing. It would be remiss of me not to include the work done to inform white people about the cultural meaning of the word “baby girl” in many Black homes.
Best Quote: “When it comes to raising children, I believe in give and take. I give the orders, and they take ’em.”
Frank Mitchell
Played by William Allen Young on ‘Moesha’
Frank Mitchell of ‘Moesha’ is often overlooked while discussing the top Black father figures on television. Scene after scene, the character and actor’s efforts on the UPN sitcom starring Brandy held its own while being underappreciated. He was a strict parent, but