Father’s Day is a time to celebrate the dads who’ve been there through thick and thin, offering guidance, wisdom, and the occasional embarrassing dance move. But not all TV dads are created equal.
In fact, some of them are so hilariously hopeless, they make Homer Simpson look like a parenting expert. This year, we’re turning the spotlight on the dads who, despite their good (sometimes really bad) intentions, consistently fumble fatherhood in the most entertaining ways possible.
From overbearing goofballs to well-meaning but psychopathic superheroes, these TV dads are masters of the parenting mishap. So grab a seat, maybe even a notepad if you want to avoid their mistakes, and join us as we celebrate the bumbling, stumbling, and endearingly disastrous dads who make us laugh, cringe, and occasionally thank the heavens for our own parents. Here’s to the dads who put the “fun” in dysfunctional family dynamics!
1. Logan Roy Succession (MAX)
Logan Roy, played by Brian Cox, the ruthless patriarch of the Roy family in Succession, epitomizes the toxic, power-hungry father figure. His manipulative tactics and emotional abuse leave his children perpetually vying for his approval and control of his media empire. Logan’s relentless ambition and disregard for his family’s emotional well-being cement his place as one of TV’s worst dads.
2. Stan Smith American Dad! (Hulu)
Stan Smith, voiced by Seth MacFarlane, from American Dad! is a satirical take on the overbearing, ultra-conservative father. His extreme ideologies, often misguided attempts to protect his family, and lack of understanding or empathy for his children create a chaotic and dysfunctional family life. Stan’s antics often lead to dangerous or absurd situations, highlighting his ineptitude as a caring parent.
3. Tywin Lannister Game of Thrones (MAX)
Tywin Lannister, played to evil perfection by Charles Dance, the stern head of House Lannister in Game of Thrones, is a father who values power and legacy above all else. His cold and calculating nature drives a wedge between him and his children, particularly Tyrion, whom he openly despises. Tywin’s ruthless ambition and lack of paternal warmth make him a feared but detested figure.
4. George Bluth Sr. Arrested Development (Netflix)
George is the quintessential example of a dad whose parenting skills are as dubious as his business ethics. As the patriarch of the wildly dysfunctional Bluth family, George’s (portrayed by Jeffrey Tambor) shady dealings and frequent run-ins with the law leave his children scrambling to keep the family business afloat while managing their own chaotic lives.
Whether he’s faking his own death, hiding in the attic, or orchestrating elaborate schemes from prison, George’s antics provide a constant source of stress and hilarity. His questionable morals and selfish decisions often put his family in precarious situations, making him one of TV’s most delightfully terrible dads.
5. Frank Reynolds It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX on Hulu)
Frank Reynolds, played to deranged perfection by Danny DeVito, the deranged father in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, takes parenting dysfunction to new heights. His bizarre antics, unethical behavior, and wild schemes often drag his children Dee and Dennis into absurd and dangerous situations. Frank’s lack of moral compass and chaotic lifestyle make him a uniquely terrible dad.
6. Don Draper Mad Men (AMC+)
Don Draper, Jon Hamm, the enigmatic protagonist of Mad Men, is a complex character whose failings as a father stem from his secretive and often deceitful nature. His infidelity, alcoholism, and emotional distance from his children create a strained and dysfunctional family dynamic.
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7. Lucious Lyon Empire (Hulu)
Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), the ambitious and often unscrupulous head of the Lyon family in “Empire,” prioritizes his music empire over his children. His manipulative tactics and ruthless business practices frequently put his sons in harm’s way, leading to a family defined by betrayal and mistrust.
8. Vernon “Vern” Schillinger Oz (MAX)
Vern Schillinger (J.K. Simmons) from Oz is a terrifying father figure. As a leader of a white supremacist gang in prison, his influence is far from positive. His attempts to control and manipulate his sons, coupled with his violent and hateful ideology, make him a profoundly destructive presence in their lives. His twisted sense of fatherhood leaves a legacy of fear and trauma.
9. Marty Byrde Ozark (NETFLIX)
Marty (Jason Bateman) is a complex addition to the bad dad list. While he is undeniably intelligent and resourceful, his involvement in money laundering for a Mexican drug cartel thrusts his family into a perilous criminal underworld. Throughout the series, Marty’s decisions often prioritize survival over morality, placing his wife and children in constant danger.
Despite his attempts to protect them, his criminal activities lead to a life of fear, instability, and moral compromise for the entire Byrde family. Marty’s dual role as a loving father and a ruthless money launderer creates a tense and often contradictory dynamic, solidifying his place among TV’s most problematic dads.
10. Homelander The Boys (Amazon)
Homelander (Antony Starr) is a quintessential bad dad. As a sociopathic and narcissistic superhero, his fatherhood is marred by his violent tendencies, emotional manipulation, and complete lack of empathy. Homelander’s relationship with his son, Ryan, is marked by his attempts to mold Ryan into a miniature version of himself, often disregarding the boy’s well-being and individuality. His toxic influence and destructive behavior make him one of the worst TV dads, representing a dark twist on the superhero archetype.
These TV dads have become infamous for their flawed and often destructive parenting styles, making them unforgettable characters in the landscape of television drama and comedy.
Have an amazing Father’s Day!
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