Americans don't want flash in their fathers.
As the U.S. prepares to celebrate Father's Day on Sunday, a new survey finds that the TV dads Americans admire most are easygoing, understanding and low-key -- led by the laid-back Cliff Huxtable of "The Cosby Show" and followed by two other patient patriarchs: Ward Cleaver of "Leave it to Beaver" and Jim Anderson of "Father Knows Best."
The one thing all three have in common? They all wore cardigan sweaters at times, although Cleaver and Anderson were known to lounge about the house in full suit and tie.
The Harris Poll surveyed 2,184 adults online during May and found that, overwhelmingly, it's the classic TV dads that people love most.
Howard Cunningham of "Happy Days," who was supposed to be Richie, Jonie and Chuck's actual father in the show but seemed to be a father figure to half the cast, came in at No. 4. Ron Howard, who starred in "Happy Days," also figured in the No. 5 pick, Andy Taylor, father of Opie in "The Andy Griffith Show."
The remainder of the top 10: Mike Brady of "The Brady Bunch," Ozzie Nelson of "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," Charles Ingalls on "Little House on the Prairie," Tim Taylor of "Home Improvement" and Ben Cartwright of "Bonanza." Cartwright didn't wear a cardigan, but he did wear the same leather vest in every show. He also carried a six-shooter and was apparently such a good father that all three sons decided to live at home well into middle age.
After the top 10, the list gets a little squirrely. At No. 11 is Danny Tanner of " Full House," followed by a cartoon dad, "Family Guy's" Peter Griffin, then Steve Douglas of "My Three Sons", Dan Connor of "Roseanne" and and Archie Bunker of "All in the Family."
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