Black fathers don’t always get the best treatment from Hollywood. They’ve been portrayed as criminals, abusers or deadbeats. However, there are some really great TV and movie dads out there. And the good news is, they’re not hard to find. Some of these roles have even led to award-winning performances. Celebrate father’s day by checking out the best Black TV and film dads.
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Andre Johnson – Black-ish
Andre Johnson – Black-ish
It’s clear Dre loves his kids. However, hw definitely loves some kids more than others. Sorry Junior.
Juan – Moonlight
As we all know biology doesn’t necessarily make you a father. In “Moonlight,” Juan becomes the compassionate, understanding father figure in Chiron’s life. His time guiding Chiron is short, but it’s impactful.
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Philip Banks – The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Philip Banks – The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Uncle Phil is the TV dad all other TV dads should be compared to. Even when the kids drive him crazy, he’s always there to support them or teach them a valuable lesson by suing them.
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Ray Campbell – Sister Sister
Ray Campbell – Sister Sister
Not every parent would openly welcome another family into their lives and become a second parent to a teenager just so their daughter can have a relationship with their long lost sibling. Ray upended his whole world just to make his daughter happy. He’s a real one.
Sam Hanna – NCIS: LA
Not only does NCIS agent Sam Hanna have time to save the day, he also has time to help his kids with math homework, cook them dinner or rescue them from vengeful terrorists.
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Michael Kyle – My Wife and Kids
Michael Kyle – My Wife and Kids
Michael is hard on his kids, but that’s only because he wants great things for them. Of course, just because he’s tough that doesn’t mean they don’t have him wrapped around their fingers.
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Monty – Daddy’s Little Girls
Monty – Daddy’s Little Girls
Monty went through hell to get custody of his girls, never failing to be the father they needed and deserved. Everyone should have a dad as devoted as Monty.
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Chris Gardner – The Pursuit of Happyness
Chris Gardner – The Pursuit of Happyness
Chris Gardner risked everything to give his son a better life. He dealt with homelessness, knowing there would be something better on the other side.
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Carl Winslow – Family Matters
Carl Winslow – Family Matters
Carl never failed to offer his children, including Judy, an important lesson. What really makes him a great dad is the way he took in Steve and became the father he so desperately needed. He encouraged his genius and didn’t kill him for constantly wrecking his house.
Pops – The Wayans Bros.
Though he found them exhausting, Pops always had his boys’ back, even finding himself occasionally participating in their schemes.
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Bernie McCullough – The Bernie Mac Show
Bernie McCullough – The Bernie Mac Show
Bernie wasn’t ready to be a dad when he took in his nieces and nephew, but it became very clear that they were an essential part of his life. Plus, his parenting skills were hilarious.
James Evans – Good Times
The last thing you wanted to do was mess with one of the Evans kids, because that meant you’d have to deal with James and no one wanted to be on the bad side of his temper.
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Terry – Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Terry – Brooklyn Nine-Nine
No matter what he had going on, Terry was 100 percent devoted to his daughters. Seriously, he actually needs some other interests because he’s going to be devastated when they leave the nest.
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Robert Peterson – The Parent ‘Hood
Robert Peterson – The Parent ‘Hood
Robert is a little naive about how times have changed, but his endless positivity lets his kids know that they always have a safe space at home.
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Furious Styles – Boyz N the Hood
Furious Styles – Boyz N the Hood
Furious Styles is raising his son in a dangerous neighborhood during troubled times. He knows how high the stakes are, so he makes sure the lessons are treated with the importance they deserve. He doesn’t let them fall on deaf ears.