Father's Day is coming up right quick, so don't forget your dad on Sunday. To help you harness your respect for the head of your house, here are the top ten television and movie dads.
As there are so many fathers in the media, each of the men chosen encapsulates a demographic of dads.
10. Alfred Pennyworth: All dads should have British accents so that they at least sound smarter than everyone else. I know Alfred wasn't really Bruce's dad and he never really claimed to be, but he loved him like a father would. Batman would not have been possible if not for the support of the servant father. His story in the Dark Knight trilogy was the most heartbreaking. Spot ten goes to the dads that aren't really dads, but butlers, teachers, or what have you.
9. Eddard Stark: Stark was the father of six children on the epic fantasy series Game of Thrones. While being a dad in that lady was a difficult task at which most men failed miserably, Stark somehow did a worthwhile job it. He may have frightened his old children at times with his sobering take on the world, but he prepared them for a harsh reality. Number nine is for the dads who bear harsh realities.
8. Homer Simpson: Homer Simpson was not that good at fatherly duties and he was comically abusive toward his son. So why does he make the list? Because Homer's stupidity led to the Simpsons' great adventures. Spot eight is for the dad's who mishaps lead to National Lampoon's style misadventures.
7. Cameron Tucker: I don't want to put "gay dads" on this list. Cameron Tucker is an all around good father who just so happens to be gay. But there is a testing element to the two father home when raising a little girl and Cameron does bring some flair to the household that most dads would not. You can't deny that an aspect of Modern Family is that it so casually presents a two-father family, which is still a relatively controversial thing to do. Maybe, someday, gay dads won't be seen as a statement. So heck with, number seven is gay dads.
6. Mrs. Doubtfire: My dad did not once dress up as a woman to spend time with me. But what Robin Williams' character did in Mrs. Doubtfire for his kids is a true test of fatherliness. He subjugated himself over and over through humiliation and secrecy just so he could be around and look after his children. Spot six is for the dads who sacrifice their identity and masculinity in order to be better dads.
5. Rick Grimes: Rick Grimes is the father of Carl and husband to Lori on the hit AMC series The Walking Dead. He leads a pack of people through a zombie-ridden wasteland, but his sole reason for being is to keep his family alive and safe. If you've read the comics, you'll know that Rick's fatherly obligations transcend any other duties. You do not stand between this man and his family. Just see the clip below to see how much he cares about them. Number five is for the dads who tear the world apart for their children.
4. Carl Windlsow: The stuff this guy had to put up with. He was a straight laced and successful police officer who provided for his family and put up with the occasional talk back. But what got him on this list was that he put up with the likes of Steve Urkel for the sake of his family. Spot four is for the dads who put up with so much nonsense.
3. Cliff Huckstabil: Cliff was the Bill Cosby character on The Cosby Show. He was always there for his kids with his eyes rolling and a grumbled joke under his breath. The tykes could never get a straight answer from their dad, but everything always worked out regardless. Number three is for the funny man dads.
2. Jonathon Kent: Another non-blood father makes it onto the list. Kent is the adoptive father of Superman and will feature prominently in this week's Man of Steel. Kent gave Superman his biggest superpower - his moral code. Spot two is for the perfect example dads.
1. Ward Cleaver: Beaver and his brother Wally were always up to something on the classic sitcom Leave it to Beaver. Thank goodness Ward, their father, was always there to give them straight talking lessons that ended their problems and taught them how to stay on the right side of society. Now, Ward wasn't perfect and everyone once in a while, his advice hurt more than it helped (see below). So what made Ward the best dad ever? Number one is for the dads that were always there to listen.