Before his shameful fall from grace, Bill Cosby redefined the role of Black fathers on television.
Cosby’s portrayal of Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable on The Cosby Showwas groundbreaking. Cliff’s occupation as a doctor was a refreshing departure from blue-collared blowhards like Fred Sanford and entrepreneurs with a Napoleon complex like George Jefferson.
Today, the role of the Black dad on a sitcom is essential to its success. Not only do they have to provide for their on-screen families, but they all do so in their unique way while helping to counteract the negative stereotype of real-life Black fathers.
Let’s dive into a list of our favorite Black dads from TV.
Carl Winslow
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The success ofFamily Matters is undoubtedly due to Jaleel White’s legendary role as Steve Urkel. But Reginald Veljohnson deserves tremendous acclaim as the show’s straight man: Sgt. Carl Winslow.
When he wasn’t having a near-death experience courtesy of his nerdy neighbor, Carl was a devoted husband and a protective parent. He was an exemplary cop, and his protection and guidance also extended to Steve despite destroying Steve’s tendency to destroy the Winslow house and injure Carl.
James Evans Sr.
Photo by Bud Yorkin/Norman Lear/Tandem/Kobal/Shutterstock
Norman Lear‘s sitcom, Good Times, follows a poor Black family living in Chicago during the ’70s. James Evans Sr. (John Amos) and his wife Florida did the best they could with what they had to raise their three children.
As the patriarch of the Evans family, James did whatever was necessary to provide for his kids. He worked every available job no matter how low paying or temporary it was. Independent of being a provider, James believed his children were capable of great things and supported each of their endeavors.
Unfortunately, John Amos’ real-life firing from the show saw his character killed off in a car crash at the beginning of Good Times fourth season.
Ray Campbell
Photo by De Passe Ent/Paramount Tv/Abc Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock
Ray Campbell (Tim Reid) doesn’t get the respect he deserves as a TV dad. He owned a successful limousine business and let the mother (Jackee Harry) and the sister of his adoptive daughter (Tia & Tamera Mowry) move in with him after discovering each other at a mall.
Unlike most fathers, Ray didn’t possess the overbearing dad gene. He reacted as any father would confront the challenges of parenting teenage girls. Whenever the twins landed in hot water, he was always there to pull them out.
Michael Kyle
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Damon Wayans knows a few things about family dynamics. He is from one of the largest and most famous families in entertainment. His wealth of knowledge came in handy playing Michael Kyle on the ABC series, My Wife and Kids.
Instead of using the direct approach disciplining his kids, Michael and his wife Jay used elaborate pranks to teach their children a lesson. The cliche stern parental lectures were reinforcements to his unorthodox style of parenting.
Philip Banks
Photo by Nbc/Stuffed Dog/Quincy Jones Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock
The late James Avery played many roles in his illustrious career, but he achieved infamy as Will Smith’s affluent attorney uncle, Philip Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
When he wasn’t the subject of his nephew’s fat jokes, Philip kept his money-hungry children out of his wallet and his troublesome nephew out of trouble. Will’s rambunctious behavior may have aggravated his uncle, but it never stopped Philip from being the father-figure he desperately needed.
Not only did The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air make Will Smith a bonafide superstar, it gave us arguably the most popular Black TV dad of all time.
Did we leave out your favorite funny father?
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