Just in time for Father’s Day, Roku has released its latest viewer survey highlighting America’s favorite TV dads. The results show that whether you’re a fan of goofy parenting, tough love, or good old-fashioned dad jokes, there’s a father figure for everyone.
Top TV Dads (All Ages, All Genders)
- Tim Taylor (Home Improvement)
- Gomez Addams (The Addams Family)
- Al Bundy (Married With Children)
- Red Forman (That ’70s Show)
- Phil Dunphy (Modern Family)
Across all Roku users, Home Improvement’s Tim Taylor claimed the top spot, followed closely by the ever-charming Gomez Addams from The Addams Family and Al Bundy of Married with Children fame. Rounding out the top five are That ‘70s Show’s cranky but lovable Red Forman and the endlessly upbeat Phil Dunphy from Modern Family.
Different Dads for Different Ages
Generational tastes show a clear split:
Top TV Dads (Ages 18–34)
- (Tie) Phil Dunphy (Modern Family)
- (Tie) Gomez Addams (The Addams Family)
- Red Forman (That ’70s Show)
- Homer Simpson (The Simpsons)
- Hank Hill (King of the Hill)
- Ages 18–34 were torn between Phil Dunphy and Gomez Addams for their number one pick, with Red Forman and animated icons Homer Simpson and Hank Hill also making strong showings.
Top TV Dads (Ages 35–54)
- Al Bundy (Married With Children)
- Tim Taylor (Home Improvement)
- Philip Banks (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)
- Carl Winslow (Family Matters)
- Red Forman (That ’70s Show)
- Ages 35–54 leaned more nostalgic, putting Al Bundy and Tim Taylor at the top, along with classic father figures like Uncle Phil (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) and Carl Winslow (Family Matters).
Vintage vs. Modern: A Dad Divide
When it comes to the golden age of TV:
Top Vintage TV Dads (Pre-2000s Series)
- Tim Taylor (Home Improvement)
- Gomez Addams (The Addams Family)
- Al Bundy (Married With Children)
- Mike Brady (The Brady Bunch)
- Homer Simpson (The Simpsons)
- Top vintage dads (pre-2000s) were dominated by familiar faces like Tim Taylor, Gomez Addams, and Mike Brady from The Brady Bunch.
Top Modern TV Dads (2000s and Beyond)
- Red Forman (That ’70s Show)
- Phil Dunphy (Modern Family)
- Hank Hill (King of the Hill)
- Jack Pearson (This Is Us)
- George Lopez (George Lopez)
- Top modern dads (2000s and beyond) showed some generational overlap with Red Forman still holding the top spot, joined by newer entries like Jack Pearson from This Is Us and George Lopez.
Fun Father’s Day Facts from Roku’s Data
- Gomez Addams is the rare TV dad who scored consistently well across both age and gender.
- Archie Bunker might be one of TV’s most iconic fathers, but opinions are divided. Just 3% of viewers aged 18–34 included him, compared to 37% of those 65 and up.
- Al Bundy is a hit with men (34%) but less so with women (11%), proving that not all dad jokes land the same way.
Key Callouts from Roku’s Viewer Data
- Gomez Addams shows the most consistent appeal across all ages and genders.
- Archie Bunker is the most divisive dad across generations: only 3% of viewers aged 18–34 included him, versus 37% of those aged 65+.
- Al Bundy had the largest gender gap in fan support: 34% of men ranked him among their favorites, compared to just 11% of women.
Want to revisit your favorite fictional father figure? Many of these shows are available across various streaming platforms, including Hulu, Max, and free services like Pluto TV and Roku Channel. Whether it’s bonding over Home Improvement grunts or getting life lessons from Uncle Phil, it’s the perfect time to binge-watch the best dads in TV history.