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TV LAND — Before they entered the living rooms of America in living technicolor, these fathers were rearing families in the 1960s and 70s with just the right amount of humor and aplomb.
Though some were in black and white, they managed to display a full range of vibrant life lessons and gruff-but-steady love.
Celebrate Father's Day today by revisiting some of these classic TV patriarchs.
Archie Bunker
"All In The Family" (1971-79)
Just your average blue-collar bigot, Archie Bunker’s main character arc was fighting with his liberal-minded family members, who he loved. Eventually he calmed down a little.
Howard Cunningham
"Happy Days" (**1974-84)**
Mr. C, as the kids called him, was kind of the neighborhood dad. He was always ready to dole out advice and instill traditional American values to the gang.
George Jefferson
"All In The Family" (1971-79) and "The Jeffersons" (1975-85)
A working-class man who seized opportunities as he saw them (often as a comic scheme), George Jefferson was one of the few African-American fathers on TV at the time.
Mike Brady
"The Brady Bunch" (**1969-74)**
When he suddenly acquires three daughters, Mike Brady learns how to be a father to the girls while maintaining the playful relationship he always had with his three sons.
Andy Taylor
"The Andy Griffith Show" (**1960-68)**
Raising his son Opie in the one-horse town of Mayberry, North Carolina, Andy was a simple man who enjoyed playing the guitar and going fishing.
Ward Cleaver
"Leave It To Beaver" (**1957-63)**
There to deliver a lecture at the end of all the mishaps created by his two sons, Ward Cleaver certainly had his hands full.
Charles Ingalls
"Little House On The Prairie" (**1974-83)**
Raising three girls on the frontier, Charles Ingalls had to teach his girls to be proper ladies while ensuring they knew how to take care of themselves.
John Walton
"The Waltons" (**1971-81)**
The Great Depression-era show resonated with many of its viewers. Patriarch John Walton ran a lumber mill to keep food on the table for his seven children.
Rob Petrie
"The Dick Van Dyke Show"(1961-66)
Robert Petrie is a comedy writer for a TV show — so he’s your classic funny dad who tells jokes at the dinner table and parties to keep the mood light.
Ben Cartwright
"Bonanza" (**1959-73)**
In classic Western tradition, widower Ben Cartwright is primarily a rancher and a father to his three sons, with a moral compass that always points true North.
Jed Clampett
"The Beverly Hillbillies" (**1962-71)**
Welllll doggies! If there was ever a reliable and steadfast dad, it was old Jed ‘JD’ Clampett. He had enough common sense to cash in on striking oil, after all.
Luke McCain
"The Rifleman" (**1958-63)**
Though he is the titular “Rifleman,” Luke McCain is a warm and open person, who promotes tolerance through acceptance of everyone.
Rob Petrie
"The Dick Van Dyke Show"(1961-66)
Robert Petrie is a comedy writer for a TV show — so he’s your classic funny dad who tells jokes at the dinner table and parties to keep the mood light.
Ben Cartwright
"Bonanza" (**1959-73)**
In classic Western tradition, widower Ben Cartwright is primarily a rancher and a father to his three sons, with a moral compass that always points true North.
Jed Clampett
"The Beverly Hillbillies" (**1962-71)**
Welllll doggies! If there was ever a reliable and steadfast dad, it was old Jed ‘JD’ Clampett. He had enough common sense to cash in on striking oil, after all.
Luke McCain
"The Rifleman" (**1958-63)**
Though he is the titular “Rifleman,” Luke McCain is a warm and open person, who promotes tolerance through acceptance of everyone.
