Embodying the new millennium father figure of Robert James, Duane Martin of ‘All of Us’ (UPN) remained in touch with his youth while also managing his career, home life and time with ‘Bobby’.
duane martin, all of us, tv fathers, beloved, black
Embodying the new millennium father figure of Robert James, Duane Martin of ‘All of Us’ (UPN) remained in touch with his youth while also managing his career, home life and time with ‘Bobby’.
bill cosby, cosby show, tv fathers, beloved, black
Before the new millennium, Bill Cosby portrayed ‘Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable’ on ‘The Cosby Show’.
Cosby’s portrayal of Dr. Huxtable, for the first time in the mid-late 80s, shed light on the ‘upper middle class’ African American family.
russell hornsby, lincoln heights, tv fathers, beloved, black
On the NAACP Image Award winning ABC Family series ‘Lincoln Heights’ actor Russell Hornsby portrays Eddie Sutton, a police officer who moves his family back to his old neighborhood ridden with crime and other problems.
It is through Hornsby’s character that we see a strong father figure who not only defends his family but takes care of the streets and those in the community who look to him for guidance.
(also pictured: on screen wife “Jennifer Sutton” played by actress Nikki Micheaux)
james avery, fresh prince of bel air, tv fathers, beloved, black
Actor James Avery is best known for his portrayal of ‘Uncle Phil’ in the long running hit ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’. While Avery was billed as ‘Uncle Phil’ throughout much of the series, his character, a legal expert and Judge, was a father figure for Carlton, Hillary, Ashley and his nephew Will.
reginald veljohnson, family matters, tv fathers, beloved, black
Like James Avery (‘Uncle Phil’), ‘Family Matters’ actor Reginald VelJohnson, better known as Carl, was not only a father figure for his children including Eddie Winslow (pictured: Darius McCrary) but also Steve Urkel (Jaleel White).
allen payne, house of payne, tv fathers, beloved, black
Allen Payne might have been known previously for a breakthrough role in ‘Jason’s Lyric (opposite Jada Pinkett Smith)’. Today, Payne is inspirational as a father figure on Tyler Perry’s ‘House of Payne’ (TBS) where he plays C.J. Payne.
(pictured: Payne with China Anne McClain (Jazmine Payne) and Larramie Doc Shaw (Malik Payne)
john amos, good times, tv fathers, beloved, black
Before his character James Evans’ tragic death on ‘Good Times,’ John Amos was coined as one of television’s most notorious father figures. Since the show, Amos has gone on to star in major film related projects including ‘Roots’ and ‘Coming to America’.
john witherspoon, wayans brothers, tv fathers, beloved, black
Comedian/Actor John Witherspoon has incited riots of laughter on stage; in film and on television. His character “Pops,” on the hit series ‘The Wayans Brothers,’ will always be remembered for carrying a smile, joke and that infamous belt.
flex alexander, one on one, tv fathers, beloved, black
Comedian/actor Flex Alexander embodied the modern and single father figure on UPN’s ‘One on One’. Portraying a sportscaster, whose daughter moves in with him after the mother leaves the country for business reasons, Alexander’s character Flex Washington managed to be there for his daughter (Breanna – Kyla Pratt) while also following his dreams.
damon wayans, my wife and kids, tv fathers, beloved, black
Damon Wayans, previously known for stand up comedy and ‘In Living Color’, took on the role of a father figure in the ABC distributed ‘My Wife and Kids’. His portrayal of Michael Kyle, similar to his own life as father of Damon Wayans Jr. (‘Dance Flick,’ 2009) and three other children, will always be remembered for its wisdom, discipline and humor.
