5 Strongest Sitcom Moms Of The 80s (& 5 Strongest Dads)

The 80s was a landmark decade in television, delivering some of the most iconic sitcoms, many of which have continued to air in syndication today and served as inspiration for shows that came after it.

Typically, sitcoms involve a traditional family of some kind with a particular spin. But a mom or motherly character and a dad or fatherly character are often at the heart of it. So who were the strongest moms and dads of 80s sitcoms? Here’s a look.

10 Claire Huxtable: The Cosby Show

One dip of her head, a purse of her lips, or a wave of her finger could have just about anyone shaking in their boots. Not only a strong role model to her five children, Claire was also a successful career woman who worked as a lawyer.

Unafraid and outspoken, Claire would always say what she thought and defend her family on The Cosby Show, but she’d also do it in a way that would make you fear her, yet view her with the utmost respect.

9 Danny Tanner: Full House

Danny didn’t have a choice but to be strong to take on the responsibilities of caring for three daughters and a dog after his wife sadly passed away – the event that set the stage for Full House.

Sure, he had reinforcements with his brother-in-law and best friend. But he still kept it together, did well at his morning show job, made sure the house stayed spotless, and learned to provide counsel to his kids that was worthy of sappy background music every episode. He reprised his role in the Netflix sequel series, Fuller House.

8 Angela Bower: Who’s The Boss?

While a working woman hiring a male housekeeper to tend to her home and her young son isn’t all that strange nowadays, back in 1984 when this show debuted, it was a completely foreign concept.

Angela was a badass, power-suit, shoulder pad-wearing executive who provided for her son as a single mother and wasn’t afraid to commission the help she needed to balance both her career and being a mother.

7 Tony Micelli: Who’s The Boss?

Tony is worth including on this list as well because he was pretty badass himself. A former major league baseball player, after an injury that forced him into retirement, he didn’t think twice about taking a job some might have considered demeaning for the time, both to his gender and based on his previous success.

Why? Because he had to provide for his daughter. So, he moved in with a single mother and powerful executive to clean her home and help care for her son. Not only was Tony a fabulous father, but the character challenged every macho stereotype about men, shattering misconceptions.

6 Sophia Petrillo: The Golden Girls

There was never, and will never, be another TV mother like Sophia from The Golden Girls. The dynamic between her and her 50-something-year-old daughter Dorothy was always hilarious. It didn’t matter that they were both grown and that Dorothy consistently threatened to send Sophia to a retirement home (“Shady Pines, ma!”), Dorothy always knew how to clap back with the perfect remark.

She told the best stories, all of which, of course, began with “Picture it. Sicily, 19-something-something …” And she made the best spaghetti sauce, to boot.

5 Dr. Jason Seaver: Growing Pains

Imagine having a psychiatrist for a father? Not only did he give the best advice, but he also worked from home, allowing his wife to pursue her career as a reporter, now that their kids were old enough.

Because he was home, he often found himself dealing with the constant fights among the three siblings, hijinks, and other events. And let’s not forget that time he welcomed a homeless teen into his home, played by young Leonardo DiCaprio.

4 Thelma Harper: Mama’s Family

A spin-off of a recurring sketch from The Carol Burnett Show and Carol Burnett & Company, Mama was the matriarch of the wacky Harper family, known for her signature grey hair, pursed lips, and buxom body.

No one could deliver quick-witted retorts like Mama. Highly sarcastic, she was also, deep down, a nurturing, motherly figure who cared deeply about her family, even when they didn’t show their appreciation for her.

3 Michael Taylor And Joey Harris: My Two Dads

This is a two-for-one, as this series centered on two dads who were awarded joint custody of a 12-year-old girl after her mother passed away. Both men, former friends, competed for the mother’s affections back in Key West in the summer of 1974. And since they were both intimate with her, one of them was likely the biological father. But they didn’t know who.

The fact that they agreed to the agreement despite being so different – Michael a successful financial advisor and Joey a struggling artist – and even moved in together to provide a consistent home for the girl, said a lot about how much they cared for her and how great they were as fathers.

2 Marge Simpson: The Simpsons

It takes a lot to manage a household with three demanding children and a dimwitted husband. But Marge does it well on The Simpsons, even if she loses her patience and gets wound up often.

Still going strong as one of the longest-running American shows on television, Marge continues to find ways to keep her family in check while fulfilling her own desires.

1 Henry Warnimont: Punky Brewster

An elderly, widowed man, Henry decided to legally adopt Punky, an orphaned girl he found hiding out in a vacant apartment in the building he managed. Normally a grouch and angry at life, Punky’s upbeat and sunny personality lifted his spirits.

He became an amazing father figure and role model to Punky on the sorely underrated show, while she helped him see the brighter side of life. The show proved that age means nothing if you can provide someone with a loving home.

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