TV Parents We Love on ‘Black-ish,’ ‘Stranger Things’ & More
The cornerstone of every ’90s sitcom and the moral compass for struggling teens in any high school drama, TV parents always find a way to sprinkle their wisdom throughout episodes while providing comfort and comedy to their on-screen children and the off-screen audience.
Some parents offer a look at how not to act, like the erratic Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy) drunkenly stumbling through life on Shameless. Others act as guiding figures, like Danny (Bob Saget), Jesse (John Stamos), and Joey (Dave Coulier) on Full House, who provide reassurance, not only in their source of knowledge and advice but also in the ways they’re not perfect. These parents remind us that in order to grow, we must make mistakes because no one is perfect. We connect to these characters because they are more than just parents to kids; they are complex characters with compelling backgrounds that have shaped them significantly.
You may have experienced the struggles of parenthood and can relate to the many conflicts that arise, or you’ve been parented and feel a familial connection as you grow up alongside these fictional families. We all know there are those few shows that have parents we either want to emulate or wish we would’ve known growing up.
Scroll down to check out our top picks for TV’s best parents.
Sandy & Kirsten Cohen, The O.C.
The parental figures to everyone in Orange County, Sandy (Peter Gallagher) and Kirsten (Kelly Rowan) balance each other, with his more freeform ideas of parenting compared to her stricter ideals. They are by no means perfect — from the very start, Sandy and Kirsten fight. When Sandy brings home Ryan (Ben McKenzie) after serving as his defense attorney and seeing his unfit home, Kirsten protests the idea of a delinquent living in their house, especially with their teenage son, Seth (Adam Brody). They may get into arguments, but in the end, their love for their family and each other always brings them back and re-aligns their values to always work to protect their family. Sandy and Kirsten provide a paternal and maternal presence not only for their biological son but also Ryan while also aiding their friends, like when Sandy fights to get Marissa (Mischa Barton) back in school. They try their hardest and they care, which the audience can see through their actions.
Streaming Now, Max
Dre & Rainbow Anderson, Black-ish and Grown-ish
Both are strong-willed and refuse to back down, which can sometimes prove to be a flaw. However, this quality also makes Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross) a successful anesthesiologist and Dre (Anthony Anderson) so focused on educating his kids on Black culture. They may have many quirks to their parenting — like Dre creating the 10,000 Commandments for his kids to follow — but all of their actions are rooted in love. They constantly have heart-to-hearts with their kids. Even if they may not show it every second of the day, they care a lot about their family.
Streaming Now, Hulu
Danny Tanner, Jesse Katsopolis & Joey Gladstone, Full House
With these three, each plays to a strength to tackle any issue that arises. Danny tries to help the kids learn right from wrong, comforting them when they deal with drama, like Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) coping with the loss of her bear, which represents her late mother. Jesse helps manage some of the more grown-up issues; his edginess gives him the ability to tackle challenges like teaching D.J. (Candace Cameron Bure) how to drive (even if it doesn’t necessarily go as planned). And then there’s Joey, the comic relief who entertains the kids. We should note that these guys are nowhere near perfect — like when Jesse is too lenient and lets the girl stay up late eating candy resulting in utter chaos — but it’s through their mistakes that they grow and improve as parents.
Streaming Now, Hulu and Max
Burt Hummel, Glee
Kurt (Chris Colfer) lost his mother at a young age, leaving him with his hyper-masculine mechanic father, Burt (Mike O’Malley). Seemingly polar opposites, Burt embraces his son. Even though he may have tried to suppress some of Kurt’s interests, when Kurt ultimately comes out as gay, he fully supports him and reminds Kurt of his love. Burt then takes on a second son, Finn (Corey Monteith), when he marries Finn’s mom. His love for both never wavers. He shows his dedication when he discusses with Finn his decision to marry Rachel (Lea Michele), and, with good intentions, tries to get him to delay the wedding. And how can we ever forget his recreation of the “Single Ladies” dance for Kurt? Priceless.
Streaming Now, Disney+ and Hulu
Phil & Claire Dunphy, Modern Family
Phil (Ty Burrell) and Claire (Julie Bowen) aren’t just co-parents, they’re best friends. Despite having vastly different personalities, they love each other deeply and support each other in their careers and life. However, their differing personalities do impact their approaches to parenting, which causes some conflict. Phil approaches issues casually with his goofy personality, while Claire leans towards a stricter parenting style. When Haley (Sarah Hyland) first starts dating Dylan (Reid Ewing), Phil becomes close with the new boyfriend while Claire finds him wildly immature. In the end, they agree on what matters most — their family — and even go on their own stakeout to see if their son (Nolan Gould) is doing drugs.
Streaming Now, Hulu and Peacock
Stef & Lena Adams Foster, The Fosters and Good Trouble
The Adams Foster household is no stranger to intense drama. You can always feel the love in the house despite the constant presence of uncertainty, from the precarious fate of their adopted daughter Callie (Maia Mitchell) in the justice system and figuring out whether they can reunite her and her biological brother (Hayden Byerly) to their children experiencing a school shooting. Regardless of their circumstances, the moms always support their kids and are there to offer a comforting hug. While, as with many parents, Stef (Teri Polo) and Lena (Sherri Saum) face strains in their relationship, like when Stef came to terms with her internalized homophobia while planning their wedding, they both are natural caretakers that seek to provide comfort to each other and their kids.
The Fosters, Streaming Now, Hulu
Good Trouble, Seasons 1-5, Streaming Now, Hulu
Joyce Byers, Stranger Things
Joyce (Winona Ryder) has gone to unprecedented lengths for her kids. Everyone treats Joyce as if she’s suffering from a mental breakdown when she senses that the missing Will (Noah Schnapp) is communicating with her through the lights. However, she persists, despite the criticism, and eventually goes into the Upside Down, risking her life, to rescue Will. After that, her inquisitive mind and motherly instincts help her with other supernatural issues in the town. Even with everything she has endured, she is willing to fight Russians and travel into different dimensions to save her sons.
Streaming Now, Netflix
