While it may be easy to argue that the golden era of sitcoms has come and gone, there are still many things from them that are memorable, beloved, and iconic. One very beloved aspect of sitcoms is the hilarious characters, many of whom just happen to be fathers.
Sitcom dads can often remind audiences of their fathers. Whether it be their goofiness and witty comments, or the way they run their households and attempt to keep their families together, there's no denying the place these dads have in the minds and hearts of viewers. These side-splitting fathers are constantly entertaining the audience.
10 Danny Tanner Is America's Dad (Full House)
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When someone thinks of a dad, they think of someone who is caring, stern, and perhaps even dramatic. This is where Danny Tanner comes in. The father of three in Full House is the picturesque dad and the pristine example of how a dad can properly raise his children.
Besides his desire to keep everything clean, Danny is funny in the way a father should be funny. He is full of dad jokes and little quips that make his daughters cringe, groan, and smile. He's a typically 'uncool' father, but he's a kind and loving parent.
9 Phil Dunphy Wants To Be Relatable (Modern Family)
If there's one thing that can be expected of fathers, it's that they want to fit in with their kids. This is excellently embodied by Phil Dunphy from Modern Family. Phil, who is a father of three, describes himself as a "cool dad" as he is always trying to find ways to relate to his children. He describes his parenting style as "peer-enting," which involves behaving like a parent and talking like a peer.
While this doesn't always work out for Phil, there's no doubt that he tries hard at being a good dad. He's frequently telling witty quips, making hilarious puns, and getting up to all sorts of wild antics.
8 Red Forman Is Angry Very Often (That '70s Show)
There are a few different typical dad stereotypes portrayed in sitcoms, and the angry dad is certainly one of them. Red Forman, the father of two from That '70s Show, must've popped numerous blood vessels from all the yelling he did. He was angry and stressed, and it seemed as if he just didn't want to deal with his kids' antics all the time.
Not only did Red have to look out for his kids, but he had to watch out for all of their friends too. They raised a lot of hell for Red, leading to many hilarious moments as he caught them in whatever silliness they were up to each week.
7 Jack Geller Is Awkwardly Funny (Friends)
The most interesting aspect of parenthood is how the relationship changes between a parent and their children when the kids grow up. Jack Geller, Monica and Ross' dad in Friends, is always giving advice on navigating adulthood and discussing his older years. However, even though he has the best intentions, his talks come across as very awkward.
While this may be uncomfortable for both Monica and Ross throughout Friends, it's hilarious for the audience and the other characters. Jack's hilarious and embarrassing comments constantly humiliate Ross and Monica, and Phoebe's temporary crush of Jack is played up for comedy.
6 Julius Rock Keeps His Children In Line (Everybody Hates Chris)
Dads are typically portrayed as hardworking, and nobody works harder to provide for his family than Julius Rock, the father of three from Everybody Hates Chris. He is as animated as a character can get. He doesn't tolerate any kind of nonsense from anyone, especially his rambunctious children.
Julius always has some sort of backhanded remark to say over the dinner table, and like many real-life dads, these comments are hilariously cheap. He's always looking to spend as little money as possible, reaching new heights of frugality. His spending methods, or lack thereof, will have anyone crying with laughter.
5 Frank Reynolds Is A Questionable Father (It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia)
Most sitcom dads are relatable in one way or another, but Frank Reynolds from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is as far from relatable as a dad can get. It's not even clear who his kids are, but it's always assumed that he is the father of Dennis and Dee. Frank is extremely wacky and uncaring, but his antics are hilarious.
Frank is an aloof and eccentric character, which doesn't always provide a stable father figure to his children. Though he tries to make amends at times, he is usually very selfish and intoxicated, but he's still hilarious in his buffoonery.
4 George Lopez Always Has Something Sarcastic To Say (The George Lopez Show)
If there's one dad whose whole shtick is being funny, it's George Lopez. George, a father of two from his eponymous show, is always ready with a quip or a joke of some sort. He cares about his kids and gives them good advice, but his way of presenting the advice is comedic.
This isn't a problem for his family though, as everyone seems to enjoy entertaining his quirkiness. Whether he's making a funny face, saying something totally absurd, or straight-up dancing in the middle of the kitchen, George is undoubtedly funny.
3 Ray Barone Is Just Trying To Mind His Own Business (Everybody Love Raymond)
Being a dad means sometimes taking on more heat than deserved, and nobody takes more heat than Ray Barone from Everybody Loves Raymond. Whether it be from his loving wife, his three energetic children, his jealous brother, or his own equally hilarious parents, everybody turns to Ray for answers he simply doesn't have.
Unlike other sitcom dads who have big personalities, Ray's funniest moments come from the fact that he's just trying to mind his own business. He's surrounded by so many big personalities that his demeanor is hilarious. His reactions tend to leave viewers laughing so hard their stomachs hurt.
2 Homer Simpson Is An All-Time Classic Dad (The Simpsons)
No parent is perfect, and Homer Simpson has spent 34 seasons of The Simpsons showing that. He cares about his family and his three children, but he also cares about Duff beer and whatever is on TV. Homer is the blueprint of sitcom dads.
A lot of Homer's comedy comes from his foolishness and his irresponsible way of raising his children. While he does love his kids, he pays very little attention to them. He's often giving his children bad advice or encouraging them to misbehave, then punishing them when they do. Fans always laugh when watching Homer interact with his children or other Springfield citizens.
1 Frank Costanza Leaves Viewers Laughing And George Crying (Seinfeld)
No sitcom dad is as funny as George Costanza's father, Frank, in Seinfeld. Frank is loud, eccentric, greedy, and confused, which is a constant source of entertainment in the sitcom. He doesn't quite understand the new generation and spends a lot of time giving George hell for no real reason. The father-son duo don't get along, and George seeks to be totally independent of his parents.
Despite this, Frank still gives George advice and does love him, having the makings of a great father deep down. However, Frank is still more known for his sudden volume changes and hilarious moments.