12 Favorite Single TV Dads

Throughout the TV years, the following actors have graced our televisions as well-loved dads. What makes these men so unique is they raise children, make a life and keep a household as single fathers. They also manage to maintain a variety of jobs like producing Broadway plays, cleaning houses, writing novels, fighting crime and staying in high school. In honor of these patriarch’s, here are 12 of our favorite single TV dads.

1. Andy Taylor

Played By: Andy Griffith

Wife: Deceased

Children: Opie (Ron Howard)

Occupation: Sheriff of Mayberry, North Carolina

On “The Andy Griffith Show,” not only is Andy a role model for the entire town, but also for his adorable red-headed son. He always sets the right examples, and teaches Opie morals and values.

2. Danny Tanner

Played By: Bob Saget

Wife: Deceased

Children: D.J. (Candace Cameron), Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) and Michelle (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen)

Occupation: Co-Host for “Wake Up, San Francisco”

Yes, he might be goofy, but Danny on “Full House” always manages to mix fun and rule maker to the right degree. He’s not his children's friend, but their father, and he always let’s them know that.

3. Michael Taylor and Joey Harris

Played By: Paul Reiser and Greg Evigan

Ex-Girlfriend: Deceased

Children: Nicole Bradford (Staci Keanan)

Occupations: Financial Advisor and Artist

Shocked to discover they have a daughter, Michael and Joey from “My Two Dads” don’t let it overshadow their duties as dads. Yes, it’s a complicated relationship, since they don’t know who is the biological father, but that doesn’t matter to them or Nicole. That’s true father-daughter love.

4. Steve Douglas

Played By: Fred MacMurray

Wife: Deceased

Children: Robbie (Don Grady), Chip (Stanley Livingston) and Ernie (Barry Livingston)

Occupation: Aeronautical Engineer

On “My Three Sons,” Steve is an intelligent man with a warm heart. After his wife dies, he continues to show love to his three sons. Ernie is actually adopted, but Steve never waivers and treats him as a true Douglas.

5. Richard Castle

Played By: Nathan Fillion

Ex-Wives: Meredith (Darby Stanchfield) and Gina (Monet Mazur)

Children: Alexis (Molly C. Quinn)

Occupation: Writer and NYPD Consultant

After Alexis’ mom, Meredith, leaves, Richard raises their daughter on his own with occasional help from his mom. On “Castle,” the two have a tight bond, which probably developed from the fun they both have goofing off. It's not all fun and games, as he’s extremely protective over her when it comes to boys, and just recently rescued Alexis from a kidnapper.

6. Burt Hummel

Played By: Mike O’Malley

First Wife: Deceased

Children: Kurt (Chris Colfer)

Occupation: Mechanic and U.S. Congressman

On “Glee,” Burt Hummel is always welcomed with open arms, especially when he stands up for his proudly gay son. Burt accepts Kurt for who he is, and that is just heartwarming.

7. Mitch Buchannon

Played By: David Hasselhoff

Wife: Divorced

Children: Hobie (Jeremy Jackson)

Occupation: Lifeguard

Mitch might not be able to run up and down the beach like the women on “Baywatch,” but one thing he can do is raise his son. After his parents divorce, Hobie chooses to live with his father, and that speaks volumes.

8. Ignacio Suarez

Played By: Tony Plana

Wife: Deceased

Children: Betty (America Ferrera) and Hilda (Ana Ortiz)

Occupation: Chef/Fast Food Employee

No matter how many mistakes his daughters make, or how hard their lives get, Ignacio gives them a shoulder to cry on “Ugly Betty.” He’s also great at telling Betty and Hilda to go for their dreams.

9. Tony Micelli

Played By: Tony Danza

Wife: Deceased

Children: Samantha (Alyssa Milano)

Occupation: Retired MLB Player and Housekeeper

Tony transformed the housekeeper role and occupation on “Who’s the Boss?” In addition to his cleaning duties, he always found time to be a father to Sam. Just look at Alyssa Milano now!

10. Philip Drummond

Played By: Conrad Bain

Wife: Deceased

Children: Kimberly (Dana Plato), Willis (Todd Bridges) and Arnold (Gary Coleman)

Occupation: Investor

“Diff’rent Strokes” showcases Philip Drummond’s daddy duties. Not only does he raise his biological daughter, but also takes in two boys from Harlem. As a father, he handled all sorts of issues, and did it well. Oh, and just because, “What’chu talkin ‘bout, Willis?”

11. Maxwell Sheffield

Played By: Charles Shaughnessy

Wife: Deceased

Children: Maggie (Nicole Tom), Brighton (Benjamin Salisbury) and Grace (Madeline Zima)

Occupation: Broadway Producer

Rich New York socialite Maxwell Sheffield relies heavily on his nanny, Fran (Fran Drescher), and butler, Niles (Daniel Davis), to raise his children. That doesn’t mean he’s absent from their lives. He becomes even more hands-on once he and Fran Fine marry. 

12. Jake Jagielski

Played By: Bryan Greenberg
Ex-Girlfriend: Nikki (Emmanuelle Vaugier)
Children: Jenny
Occupation: Student
Yes, “One Tree Hill” fans love Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan (James Lafferty), but they also adore Jake Jagielski. Part of Jake’s hotness comes from his love for his daughter. It was even cuter when he and Peyton (Hilarie Burton) played house.

13. Honorary Single Dad - Bobby Singer

Played By: Jim Beaver

Wife: Deceased

Honorary Children: Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) Winchester

Occupation: Hunter

I can’t have a list like this and leave out Bobby from “Supernatural.” John Winchester (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) never compared to Bobby as a father. With that said, I’ll leave you with this quote from Bobby, "As fate would have it, I adopted two boys and they grew up great. They grew up heroes."

Who is your favorite single TV dad?