Daddy cool: Our favourite on-screen fathers

Daddy cool: Our favourite famous fathers

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• Mr Incredible, The Incredibles

  Bob Par and wife Helen are former superheroes, forced to relocate to the suburbs and live as ‘normally’ as possible with children Dash, Violet and Jack-Jack. Easier said than done, and when Bob, aka Mr Incredible is drawn back into his superhero world, he leaves behind three sad little ones who just want their dad back. Lucky Bob realises his mistake, and proves that to be a real superhero, all he needs to do is make his kids proud.
  
  Favourite quote: ‘I’m sorry. I’ve been a lousy father. So obsessed with being undervalued that I undervalued all of you.’

  Source: Rex

• Daniel, Love Actually

  Dashing Daniel is faced with looking after stepson, Sam, all alone after his wife, Sam’s mum, dies. He seems clueless, but gets better as time goes on, doting over the little guy and helping him snag his crush at school, learn the drums and come to terms with losing his mum. We challenge anyone not to well up at the end when Sam calls Daniel ‘dad’ for the first time.

  Favourite quote: ‘This stepfather thing seems so suddenly to somehow matter like it never did before.’

  Source: Rex

• Alfie Moon, Eastenders

  So he isn’t technically Tommy’s dad, but we all saw loveable Alfie’s heart break when he thought the little man had died during the baby cot death swap saga. And when Tommy was returned to Kat and Alfie and he bought him a mini football strip to match his own pyjamas, he went straight to the top of the list for sheer cuteness.

  Source: PA

• George Banks, Father of the Bride

  Anyone with a grown up daughter will relate to poor George. He's put well and truly through the emotional and financial ringer as he prepares to walk his not-so-little-girl, Annie, down the aisle, facing the reality that his once baby girl is ready to face the world alone.
  
  Favourite quote: ‘I suddenly realised what was happening. Annie was all grown up and was leaving us, and something inside began to hurt.’

  Source: Rex

• Chris Gardener, The Pursuit of Happiness

  Chris’ wife has walked out, and he’s skint. Faced with a life where he and his son, Christopher, are broke and homeless, he takes on an unpaid internship at a stockbrokers to learn the trade and make a mint, while teaching his son impeccable moral standards along the way to boot.
  
  Favourite quote: ‘I made up my mind that when I had children, my children were going to know who their father was.’

  Source: Getty

• Martin Crane, Frasier

  Down-to-earth Martin likes the simple life with minimal fuss, which is made tricky when he shares a flat with grown-up son, Frasier, who is a fan of the finer things in life, just like his brother, Niles. In one memorable episode, Frasier throws out Martin’s beloved leather chair, which upsets lovely Martin as it has huge sentimental value. Frasier realises his mistake and sets off to make amends, realising his dad isn’t all too bad in the process.

  Source: Rex

• Homer Simpson, The Simpsons

  Hapless but hilarious dad Homer might not always put his kids Bart, Lisa and you-never-quite-know-what-she’s-thinking Maggie first, but he always comes through for them in the end. And you couldn’t help but love him when he worked two jobs and barely slept to buy little Lisa a pony.
  
  Favourite quote: ‘Well, it's 1am. Better go home and spend some quality time with the kids.’

  Source: Rex

• Mick, Gavin and Stacey

  The loveable dad to Essex boy Gavin, Mick is the long-suffering husband to Gavin’s mum, Pam, and puts up with long drives to see future daughter-in-law Stacey’s family in sunny Barry. He has, as character Ness would say, ‘a cracking’ relationship with Gavin, cemented in the touching scene where the pair discuss a very sad Gavin’s possible infertility.

  Source: PA

• Charles Ingalls, aka, Pa, Little House on the Prairie

  The pillar of the family’s small farming community, Pa Ingalls juggled life on the ranch and raising three girls, along with sorting scuffles in neighbouring families. The family didn’t have a lot of money, but were rich in love and respect for each other as they faced a tough old life on the American frontier, with Pa leading the charge.

  Source: Rex

• Ben Harper, My Family

  Moody Ben is dad to hapless Nick, sharp-tongued Janey and brainbox Michael, who is far too clever for Ben and outwits him on a daily basis. All he wants in life is a bit of peace and quiet, and his wife, Susan, to stop cooking such awful meals. He gets his wish briefly when Nick and Janey move out, but in comes lodger Abi, and Janey is never too far away with her son, Kenzo, to disturb the peace…

  Source: PA

• Daniel Hillard / Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire, Mrs Doubtfire

  Poor Daniel seems to attract trouble, and when wife Miranda kicks him out and takes custody of kids, Lydia, Christopher and Natalie, he walks into even more trouble, by dressing as an ageing grandmother and starting work as the family’s housekeeper in disguise. Extreme? Yes. But no one can argue this dad won’t go the extra mile for his children.

  Favourite quote: ‘I admire that honesty, Natalie, that's a noble quality. Never lose that.'

  Source: 20th Century Fox

• Geppetto, Pinocchio

  Inventor Gepetto is desperate for his wooden puppet, Pinocchio, to become a real boy, and a real son for him. His wish is granted, and despite Pinocchio lying, sorry, fibbing (children’s film) regularly, his dedicated father, Gepetto, is always his biggest supporter. When Pinocchio finally sheds his wooden body, Gepetto’s dedication pays off, and he is rewarded with an, altogether now, ‘real boy!’.

  Favourite quote: ‘You're alive! And, and you are a real boy!’

  Source: Rex

• Pete Brockman, Outnumbered

  Pete and wife, Sue, struggle - daily - to keep their brood of three in order. Most of time Sue, and especially Pete fail miserably, as children Jake, Ben and Karen outwit and run rings around them, leaving you wondering: ‘Who are the grown-ups here?’

  Source: Rex

• Professor Henry Jones Senior, Indiana Jones films

  He might not have the best relationship with son, Henry ‘Indiana’ Jones, but Henry Senior clearly had a big impact on a little Henry growing up, as he follows an identical career path as his dad. Despite huge disagreements and eye rolling, you can tell these two have a real soft spot for each other.

  Favourite quote: ‘Oh, yeah? And who's gonna come to save you, JUNIOR?’

  Source: Rex