TV and movie dads get a bum rap sometimes. You know the trope: Dad is bumbling, juvenile, selfish, clueless. But our favorite pop-culture dads have one thing in common: When their families need them, these dads are 100 percent there.
Here, in no particular order, are our favorite pop-culture dads.
Phil Dunphy, Modern Family
Look, we know that Phil could also be nominated for "Most Embarrassing Dad" or "Dorkiest Husband," but of all the fathers on TV right now, he might have the biggest heart. When he screws up with his kids it's not because he didn't try, it's because he tried too hard. Nothing about fatherhood scares this dad -- he's seen Ghostbusters seven times. -- Britton Peele
Clark Griswold, Vacation series
Clark Griswold doesn't have it all figured out, but darn it he gets a gold star for trying. Clark is my favorite TV dad because he's relatable: He spent too much in the casinos in Vegas Vacation and he really overdid the Christmas decorations in Christmas Vacation. But he's got tons of heart. He even has some great ideas! I hope there's a little Clark Griswold (or a lot) in every dad. --Sarah Blaskovich
Tony Soprano, The Sopranos
Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) may have been a tortured mob boss but he really loved his kids - in his own sociopathic way. When he wasn't busy at the Bada Bing, he tried to be a normal dad... grilling steaks by the pool, playing video games with A.J. So what if he took a quick detour during Meadow's college tour weekend to settle an old score? -- Norma Cavazos
George Bluth Sr., Arrested Development
Sure, George Bluth may be a criminal, but that doesn't stop him from doling out fatherly advice to his children and grandchildren. He is not only a father figure to his biological children, but also to his fellow prison inmates. He shows vulnerability, empathy and tenacity when he escapes prison - qualities he surely desires in his children. He is a role model who never forgets, "There's always money in the banana stand." -- Hannah Wise
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Michael Bluth, Arrested Development
He's not a model dad, but Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman) has an internal compass whose true north always points to his son, George Michael. A widower and a single dad, Michael is often so preoccupied with his ne'er-do-well siblings and parents that he misses some major teachable moments with his son, but there's no doubting his heart is in the right place. He wants what's best for George Michael, from the right girlfriend -- his take on Ann is a delightful running gag -- to the right extended family. If anything, Michael's shortcomings are more symptomatic of the modern father's work-life stresses than the usual doddering of sitcom dads. And by the end of the series, when his relationship with his own father hits a major turning point, he finally gets it right with George Michael. -- Will Pry
Giles, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Giles may not have been Buffy's biological father, but he was always there for the Slayer even when her real dad wasn't. He was the kind of psuedo-dad that would you would be embarrassed by because he never watches TV, only to later discover that he secretly plays guitar and had a hardcore past. Giles was always willing to die for his Slayer, and the hardest thing he ever did was step aside when he realized he was standing in her way. -- Britton Peele
Homer Simpson, The Simpsons
Homer is not the brightest. He hangs out at Moe's a little too much, and does he actually ever go to work anymore? And he sometimes fundamentally doesn't understand his kids, especially Lisa. But he would do anything for them. I won't go into 26 seasons' worth of examples, I'll just give you the one that I always go back to: In the season-six episode "Maggie Makes Three," recently Homer debt-free Homer quit his job at the power plant for his dream job, working at the bowling alley. But then the Simpsons learned that Maggie was on the way, and Homer couldn't support three children at his new job. He went back to the power plant, and uses Maggie's baby pictures to inspire him every day. -- Amanda Wilkins
The Old Man, A Christmas Story
He's creatively profane, he doesn't know how to say the word fragile, and he really, really hates the Bumpus hounds. But the Old Man loves his family, and wasn't afraid to show it in his way. He let Ralphie take off that pink bunny costume, and he bought him the Red Ryder BB gun (with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time). He's by far my favorite character in what's by far my favorite Christmas movie. -- Amanda Wilkins
Tad Horvath, Girls
Tad is far from your stereotypical TV dad and that is what makes him great. We learn early on that he is a college professor and he got an ear piercing with a bunch of his guy friends in his younger days. Throughout the show's four seasons Tad shows more and more of his authentic self. He is sympathetic to Hannah when she believes she is the voice of a generation, but also high on a tea made of opium pods and commands that she will drink a strong cup of coffee. Most recently Tad came out as gay to his family and announced that he and his wife plan to stay together. He is truly a modern father who is able to accept himself and his daughter as their authentic selves. -- Hannah Wise
Bob Belcher, Bob's Burgers
Despite the craziness surrounding his job at his burger joint, he still works hard to care for his wife and his quirky children. He genuinely loves his family and will do anything to provide for them, such as picking up a night job as a taxi cab driver where he specializes in driving around drag queens. -- Nini Truong
Herman Munster, The Munsters
Ranked No. 19 in TV Guide's 2004 list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time," Herman Munster was a patient and loving father figure in the 1960s monster sitcom The Munsters. He cracked corny jokes and never made a fuss about son Eddie's werewolf doll Woof Woof. -- Norma Cavazos
Tim Taylor, Home Improvement
Sometimes the best thing a father can do is listen to those who are wiser than him. Tim "The Toolman" Taylor may have screwed up a lot of things (often by trying to give them "more power"), but at the end of the day he always knew to ask his neighbor Wilson for advice. More importantly, he knew to act on it to make himself a better dad and a better husband. -- Britton Peele
