From Mister Rogers to Masterpiece: Celebrating PBS Dads
Father’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate the dads in our lives than with a list of some of the best fictional and non-fictional fathers on PBS? Here are seven men who have the honor of being included.
Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Children: Liza and Maggie Gates.
Henry Louis Gates Jr. comes across as the ultimate girl dad—because he is. When his daughters were children, two-time Oscar-winning actress Jodie Foster—whom Gates advised as a senior at Yale University—was their babysitter. He is also paternal toward his students as well.
On an episode of Jimmy Fallon, Gates revealed that he reached out to Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison to help arrange an interview for Foster's senior thesis. Foster had insisted that Gates use a fake name because she didn’t want it to seem like she was seeking special treatment. Morrison agreed to the interview on the condition that it never be published. When Foster arrived at Morrison’s home, Morrison was floored to see who had walked through the door.
His children’s career paths were also inspired by their father's dedication to education. Maggie earned her degree in psychology from Harvard University and works as a counselor and mental health advocate, focusing on the well-being of underrepresented communities. Liza graduated from Yale University with a degree in history and is also a documentary filmmaker. Way to go, Henry Louis Gates!
Fred Rogers
Children: John and James Rogers
When you think of PBS, you think of Fred Rogers—who set the blueprint for what it takes to create a meaningful children’s television show. In production from 1968 until 2001, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was a flagship series entertaining and educating multiple generations of children. He is an obvious choice for this list—not only because he embodied the qualities of a great dad, but because he also dedicated his life to educating children. He was inspired to transform television because he didn’t like what he was seeing. In an interview, he said, “I went into television because I hated it so much, and I thought there has to be a way to use this fabulous instrument to nurture those who would watch and listen.”
Rogers' wife, Joanne, described Fred as a thoughtful and present father to their two sons. She also said he was an inclusive person—not because he had to be, but because he wanted to be.
Rogers created a magical world that made children feel safe and less lonely. He said the Neighborhood of Make-Believe was a concept he developed as a child because he was often bullied and played alone. Soft-spoken yet persuasive, Rogers appeared before the Senate in 1969, during the Nixon administration, and successfully persuaded them to provide funding for PBS stations.
Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham: Downton Abbey
Children: Lady Mary, Lady Edith, and Lady Sybil Crawley
Robert Crowley, Earl of Grantham is the patriarch who resides at Downton Abbey. He’s had his fair share of parental missteps—such as showing interest in his eldest daughter’s romantic prospects mainly to secure a male heir for the family estate, and at times overlooking his other two daughters. He also interfered in his middle daughter’s engagement to Sir Anthony—though, in his defense, Sir Anthony was twice Lady Edith’s age. But you can’t deny that this man loves his children: Ladies Mary, Edith and the dearly departed Sybil. His best fatherly moments speak for themselves.
He put his foot down when devious, social climbing cad Sir Richard Carlisle threatened to blackmail and expose Lady Mary in the papers after a Turkish diplomat died in her bed following a one-night fling. Lord Grantham wasn’t having any of Carlisle’s nonsense and said to Mary, “I don’t want my daughter to marry a man who threatens her with ruin. I want a good man for you. Find a cowboy in the Middle West and bring him back here to shake us up a bit.”
When his progressive youngest daughter, Lady Sybil, fell in love with—and eventually married—the family chauffeur, Tom, it initially caused a rift within the family. However, Robert eventually came around, with the help of his wife, Lady Cora Crawley, and his mother, the cunning yet witty shade assassin,Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham.
When Robert learned about Lady Edith's daughter, Marigold, who was born out of wedlock, he was shocked—but ultimately accepted the child into the family. He insisted that she live at the Abbey, although under the guise of her being adopted by Edith, even at the risk of public ridicule.
Those acts of love went against the social norms of the time and reflected Lord Grantham’s humility, empathy and compassion, making him a great father worthy of recognition.
Lavar Burton: Reading Rainbow
Children: Mica Burton
Another girl dad to add to the list is Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton. A familiar face to audiences since the 1970s, Burton got his big break starring in the television miniseries Roots (1977). A PBS icon and advocate for child literacy, Burton—once a hopeful to host Jeopardy!—is an obvious choice for the list.
Over the years Burton has never wavered in his advocacy for promoting literacy among children and adults, a value deeply ingrained in PBS culture. In addition to hosting Reading Rainbow for 23 years, he developed apps and a podcast to encourage people of all ages to read. Most recently, he appeared alongside his daughter, Mica, in the final season of Picard—reprising his role as Geordi and reuniting with his Star Trek: The Next Generation co-stars, the extended family Micha grew up around on set.
Luis Rodriguez: Sesame Street
Children: Gabi Rodriguez
Luis Rodriguez was a regular cast member on Sesame Street, from his debut in 1971 during season 3 until his final regular appearance in 2016.
He was portrayed by L.A. actor Emilio Delgado, who took the role of Luis because he understood the significance of portraying a positive Mexican role model—one who wasn’t a one-dimensional caricature but someone who could represent an entire community in the media. A character who wasn’t a drug dealer or a criminal, but a lovable handyman and business owner. Delgado brought his own flavor to the character, introducing generations of children to Spanish words and phrases. During his run, Luis affectionately referred to Big Bird as “pájaro,” which means “bird” in Spanish, creating a bilingual structure that had not been present in the show’s first season.
Luis became so beloved that in 1988 the show made him the husband of Maria, and together they became parents to Gabi Rodriguez in 1989. Luis brought a fatherly warmth to the screen—something especially important for children during a pivotal era in television. Sadly, Delgado passed away in 2022 at the age of 81.
David Read: Arthur
Not all great fathers are flesh and blood—some are animated. One who makes the cut is PBS’s own David Read. As an emotionally intelligent parent, Read normalized a hands-on approach to fatherhood.
David is the father of Arthur Read, the eldest child and the show’s main character; D.W. Read (Dora Winifred), his middle child; and Kate Read, the youngest, affectionately known as Baby Kate. He started off as a more strict parent, but over time, he softened into a father who acts more as a teacher than a disciplinarian.
As a catering chef by trade, David often whips up unusual food combinations that don’t always suit his kids’ tastes—and in return, he playfully teases them about their own food preferences. He’ll say things like, “Weird? When have I ever made anything weird? Oops, time to check on my turnip muffins!”
All of his David-isms aside, this dad never shies away from his fatherly duties, and is always there when his children need him. Kids carpool, you can count on David.
Siegfried Farnon: All Creatures Big and Small
Not all fathers have children of their own, and one fatherly figure who stands out is Dr. Siegfried Farnon from All Creatures Great and Small.
Dr. Farnon runs the busy Skeldale Practice in the English countryside of the Yorkshire Dales. Moody, forgetful and condescending, he’s not exactly the warm and cuddly type, but in many ways he is endearing. Dr. Farnon has a deep love for animals, but not so much for people—at least until a young, out-of-work veterinarian named James Herriot comes along.
In an episode of season 1, Dr. Farnon subjects James to emotional hazing and constantly pushes his limits. At one point, he even makes James drive a car with faulty brakes, nearly causing a crash—like a father tossing his child into the deep end of a pool and expecting them to swim. Ultimately, Mrs. Hall, his housekeeper and the voice of reason, convinces Dr. Farnon to give James a chance.
Samuel West, who portrays Dr. Farnon, describes him as someone who “marches to the beat of his own drummer.” West explains his relationship with James this way, “He is not only somebody he respects, but ultimately loves, has a fondness for, and sort of becomes the son he never had.” You can watch these dynamic father figures on our website at pbs.org—and hey, cheers to fatherhood!