The Occupations of TV Dads
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."
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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