The Occupations of TV Dads

On classic TV sitcoms, sometimes Dad's job was front and center (think Ben Cartwright in Bonanza), and other times, it was hopelessly vague (in Leave it to Beaver, Ward Cleaver merely went to "the office"). How well do you remember the vocations of various TV patriarchs?

1 of 10

Henry Mitchell (Herbert Anderson) in Dennis the Menace

Engineer

Restaurant owner

Doctor

ANSWER: Henry worked for the mythical Trask Corporation. In the third season, he contemplates taking a new job, which would move the family to the imaginary country of Calpuna near the Ganges river for three years. Dennis does his best to torpedo the plan. Henry worked for the mythical Trask Corporation. In the third season, he contemplates taking a new job, which would move the family to the imaginary country of Calpuna near the Ganges river for three years. Dennis does his best to torpedo the plan.

2 of 10

Homer Simpson (voice by Dan Castellaneta) in The Simpsons

Oil refinery worker

Mailman

Safety inspector at a nuclear power plant

ANSWER: Castellaneta originally modeled the voice after Walter Mattheu, but when the decision was made to make Homer more of doofus, he changed it considerably. Castellaneta originally modeled the voice after Walter Mattheu, but when the decision was made to make Homer more of doofus, he changed it considerably.

3 of 10

Ozzie Nelson (as himself) in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet

Advertising executive

Magazine editor

Psychologist

ANSWER: Rarely mentioned in the show, Ozzie's job allowed for plenty of free time to spend with Harriet. Rarely mentioned in the show, Ozzie's job allowed for plenty of free time to spend with Harriet.

4 of 10

Paul Buchman (Paul Raiser) in Mad About You

Curator for an art museum

Independent musician

Producer of documentary films

ANSWER: During the episode that aired on January 5, 1995, in what may have been a premonition of future reality shows, Paul successfully records fifteen unvarnished minutes of the couple's home life. During the episode that aired on January 5, 1995, in what may have been a premonition of future reality shows, Paul successfully records fifteen unvarnished minutes of the couple's home life.

5 of 10

Tom Bradford (Dick Van Patten) in Eight is Enough

Newspaper columnist

A never-defined role with the NBA's Sacramento Kings

High school social studies teacher

ANSWER: Tom's character was based on a real syndicated newspaper columnist Thomas Braden, a father of eight who wrote a book by the same name. Tom's character was based on a real syndicated newspaper columnist Thomas Braden, a father of eight who wrote a book by the same name.

6 of 10

Phil Drummond (Conrad Bain) in Diff'rent Strokes

Investment banker at the fictional firm Moreland Stokely

CEO of the fictional law firm Gage Whitney

President of fictional Trans Allied, Inc.

ANSWER: We're not sure exactly what Trans Allied did. They had their hands in those vending machines at Arnold's school, and had something to do with a radio station where Phil Drummond's friend worked. But the gig paid well. We're not sure exactly what Trans Allied did. They had their hands in those vending machines at Arnold's school, and had something to do with a radio station where Phil Drummond's friend worked. But the gig paid well.

7 of 10

Jim Anderson (Robert Young) in Father Knows Best

Attorney

Certified Public Accountant

Insurance Agent

ANSWER: Jim always had time for family, and is always seen walking around the house is a suit. Jim always had time for family, and is always seen walking around the house is a suit.

8 of 10

Steven Keaton (Michael Gross) in Family Ties

College professor

Manager of a local TV station

Editor of a magazine focusing on environmental issues

ANSWER: In Michael J. Fox's next series, Spin City, Michael Gross appears as a therapist to Fox's character, Michael Patrick Flaherty. In Michael J. Fox's next series, Spin City, Michael Gross appears as a therapist to Fox's character, Michael Patrick Flaherty.

9 of 10

Howard Cunningham (Tom Bosley) in Happy Days

Radio engineer

Real estate appraiser

Hardware store owner

ANSWER: The store rarely appeared in the show. The role of Howard Cunningham was originally played by Harold Gould (who you might remember as Rose's boyfriend Miles on Golden Girls) in an episode of Love, American Style. The store rarely appeared in the show. The role of Howard Cunningham was originally played by Harold Gould (who you might remember as Rose's boyfriend Miles on Golden Girls) in an episode of Love, American Style.

10 of 10

Michael Taylor & Joey Harris (Paul Reiser & Greg Evigan) in My Two Dads

Financial advisor (Michael) & Artist (Joey)

Sportswriter (Michael) & Bar owner (Joey)

Advertising executive (Michael) & Advertising copywriter (Joey)

ANSWER: As the show description puts it, "When 12 year old Nicole Bradford is left orphaned by her mothers passing, Judge Margaret Wilbur places her in the custody of two quarreling former best friends, both of whom are suspected of being her biological father: conservative financial advisor Michael Taylor and liberal artist Joey Harris."

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As the show description puts it, "When 12 year old Nicole Bradford is left orphaned by her mothers passing, Judge Margaret Wilbur places her in the custody of two quarreling former best friends, both of whom are suspected of being her biological father: conservative financial advisor Michael Taylor and liberal artist Joey Harris."

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The Occupations of TV Dads

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