The 30 Best Dad Characters in Film

The best movie dads are essential to understanding the moral of the story, are somehow pivotal to the plot, or explain the central character. In any story line, a father’s traditional role is either depicted straight, or it’s played off of, whatever contributes to the overall intention of the film. In stories of social, workplace, and marital changes, fathers must adapt to the changes or to maintain standards. Weddings, especially, are times when fathers have to stop just being fathers and adjust to an expanding family. The challenges faced by movie dads have provided great opportunities for gifted actors to show their chops, even stealing the show from the star. Here are thirty top examples of dads in films.

1. George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart, in It’s a Wonderful Life (Frank Capra, 1946)

2. Chris Gardner, played by Will Smith, in Pursuit of Happyness (Gabriele Muccino, 2006) Based on a true story.

3. Guideo Orefice, played by Roberto Benigni, in Life is Beautiful (Roberto Benigni, 1997)

4. The Little Tramp, played by Charlie Chaplin, in The Kid (Charlie Chaplin, 1921)

5. “Furious” Styles, played by Laurence Fishburne, in Boyz N the Hood (John Singleton, 1991)

6. Moses Pray, played by Ryan O’Neal, in Paper Moon (Peter Bogdanovich, 1973)

7. Jack Byrne, played by Robert De Niro, in Meet the Fockers and the sequels (Jay Roach, 2000)

8. Stanley Banks, played by Spencer Tracy, in Father of the Bride (Vincente Minelli, 1950); George Banks, played by Steve Martin in the remake (Charles Shyer, 1991)

9. Matt Drayton, played by Spencer Tracy in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (Stanley Kramer, 1967)

10. Daniel Hillard, played by Robin Williams, in Mrs. Doubtfire (Chris Columbus, 1993)

11. Ted Kramer, played by Dustin Hoffman, in Kramer vs. Kramer (Robert Benton, 1979)

12. Royal Tennenbaum, played by Gene Hackman, in The Royal Tennenbaums (Wes Anderson, 2001)

13. Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Vacation and sequels (Harold Ramis, 1983)

14. Gil Buckman, played by Steve Martin in Parenthood (Ron Howard, 1989)

15. The Old Man, played by Darren McGavin, in A Christmas Story (Bob Clark, 1983)

16. Marlin, voiced by Albert Brooks, in Finding Nemo (Andrew Stanton, 2003)

17. Don Vito Corleone, played by Marlon Brando, in The Godfather (Francis Ford Coppola, 1972)

18. Lance Clayton, played by Robin Williams, in World’s Greatest Dad (Bobcat Goldthwait, 2009)

19. Lester Burnham, played by Kevin Spacey, in American Beauty (Sam Mendes, 1999)

20. Sam Baldwin, played by Tom Hanks, in Sleepless in Seattle (Nora Ephron, 1993)

21. Henry Jones, Sr., played by Sean Connery, in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Steven Spielberg, 1989)

22. Jack Butler, played by Michael Keaton, in Mr. Mom (Stan Dragoti, 1983)

23. Bob Parr, voiced by Craig T. Nelson, in The Incredibles (Brad Bird, 2004)

24. George Banks, played by David Tomlinson, in Mary Poppins (Robert Stevenson,1964)

25. Atticus Finch, played by Gregory Peck, in To Kill a Mockingbird (Robert Mulligan,1962) also consider role of Boo Radley, played by Robert Duvall, as protector of the kids. AFI named Atticus Finch greatest movie hero of 20th century in 2003.

26. Wilbur Wonka, played by Christopher Lee, in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Tim Burton, 2005)

27. Darth Vader, played by David Prowse and voiced by James Earl Jones in Star Wars: A New Hope and sequels (George Lucas, 1977)

28. Jack Torrance, played by Jack Nicholson, in The Shining (Stanley Kubrick, 1980)

29. Daniel Plainview, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, in There Will Be Blood (Paul Thomas Anderson, 2007)

30. Wilbur Turnblad, played by Christopher Walken, in Hairspray (Adam Shankman, 2007)

Of these roles, some are of special note. Ryan O’Neal’s Moses Pray does not admit to being the father of the orphaned girl he takes on as a partner, but Addie, played by his real-life daughter Tatum O’Neal, is a chip off the old block. De Niro’s role in the Fockers movies drives most of the mayhem and conflicts. Robin Williams’ Lance Clayton is both horrific and sympathetic as he deals with the accidental death of his teenage son. David Tomlinson’s aloof and workaholic father in Mary Poppins is actually the one who drives the story. Christopher Lee’s Wilbur Wonka is the kind of domineering father and dentist that makes Johnny Depp’s Willy Wonka complex and not just weird. Christopher Walken’s Wilbur Turnblad, on the other hand, is the kind of supportive and liberal father that helps us understand Tracy Turnblad’s confidence in herself.
Others that could make the list would be Adam Sandler’s character in Big Daddy,  Judd Hirsch in Independence Day, Eugene Levy in American Pie, and Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films.