Top 10 “Grandpas” in Movies & TV

With Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa opening very soon, I started thinking of grandfather characters in movies and TV, particular my favorites, whether they be bad or good. With the help some of the TYF staff, friends and fellow movie and TV buffs, I came up with a list of ten memorable Grandpas.

Click through the slideshow to see our faves!

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Johnny Knoxville’s 86-year-old Irving Zisman is on a journey across America with the most unlikely companion: his 8 year-old grandson, Billy, in this new comedy!

Don’t forget to check out Bad Grandpa when it hits theaters October 25th.

[tps_title]1. Grandpa Edwin Hoover in Little Miss Sunshine[/tps_title]

Alan Arkin’s portrayal of little Olive’s foul-mouthed yet caring grandfather was the first role to come to my mind. Arkin was the biggest scene-stealer in Little Miss Sunshine and deservedly won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance.

Favorite Quote: “Losers are people who are so afraid of not winning, they don’t even try.”

[tps_title]2. The Grandfather in The Princess Bride[/tps_title]

I couldn’t have picked anyone better to tell Princess Buttercup’s epic tale of love and adventure than Peter Falk. As he narrates the story, his clever asides and funny interruptions to answer his grandson’s (played by wee Fred Savage) inquiries are heartwarming and make this movie much more magical.

Favorite Quote: 

Grandpa: It was ten days to the wedding. The King still lived, but Buttercup’s nightmares were growing steadily worse.

The Grandson: (interrupting) See didn’t I tell you she’d never marry that rotten Humperdinck.

Grandpa: Yes, you’re very smart. Shut up.

[tps_title]3.Grandpa Munster in The Munsters (TV)[/tps_title]

Who doesn’t love Grandpa Munster?! I loved watching The Munsters as a kid, and there’s no doubt that Al Lewis played one of the most memorable characters on the show. He was a wonderfully sarcastic and doting grandpa, especially for being a vampire.

Favorite Quote: 

Herman Munster: Grandpa, you are the greatest!
Grandpa: Son in law, that’s the first thing you’ve said in years that I agree with.

From Episode “The Munsters: Eddie’s Brother (#2.27)” (1966)

[tps_title]4. Grandpa Frank Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond[/tps_title]

As much as I loved Doris Roberts on Everybody Loves Raymond, Marie’s other half, Frank (played by Peter Boyle), always cracked me up. He was very blunt and a bit rough around the edges, but you never had any doubts that he loved his wife and his family.

Favorite Quote: 

Ray Barone: Hey, Ma, did you change the twins’ pajamas?
Marie Barone: Yeah, I left them here. I wanted to get some of the old stains out.
Ray Barone: We have a washing machine, Ma.
Marie Barone: Some of those stubborn stains need special treatment.
Frank Barone: Why don’t you take a class for THAT? I got grand-parenting class at 3. Today’s lessons are “Blow my nose” and “Pull my finger”.
Ray Barone: Yeah, while you’re there, don’t miss the seminar about moving to Florida.

[tps_title]5. Grandpa Phil in Hey Arnold![/tps_title]

Hey Arnold! was one of my favorite Nickelodeon shows as a kid, so of course, Grandpa Phil had to earn a spot on this list. I loved his weird and random advice and overall goofy sensibilities. He was a funny and caring grandpa to our favorite football-shaped-head kid.

Favorite Quote: 

“Never eat raspberries.”

[tps_title]6.Royal Tenenbaum in The Royal Tenenbaums[/tps_title]

Royal Tenenbaum is one of the best Gene Hackman roles ever. It’s also one of my favorite movies of all time. (Gotta love Wes Anderson!) Royal may be a hilarious and questionably immoral person overall, but you know the guy cares for his rather dysfunctional family.

Favorite Quote:

Ari: Were you in prison?
Royal: Kinda. Minimum security. I got jacked by the IRS. Shall we split?
Ari: Yes, sir.
Royal: No, call me Mr. Tennenbaum.
Ari: OK.
Royal: Oh, I’m kidding. Call me Pappy.

[tps_title]7. Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory[/tps_title]

We always point out how much a grandparent adores his or her grandchild, but it’s never commented on how much a kid can adore their grandparent. Charlie adored his grandfather, so much that he chose him to accompany him on a tour of Willy Wonka’s amazing and fantastical chocolate factory.

Favorite Quote:

Mr. Salt: Quite a nice little canoe you got there, Wonka.
Willy Wonka: All I ask is a tall ship and a star to sail her by. All aboard, everybody.
Mr. Salt: Ladies first, and that means Veruca.
Grandpa Joe: [to Charlie] If she’s a lady, I’m a Vermicious Knid.

[tps_title]8. George Bluth in Arrested Development[/tps_title]

Jeffrey Tambor’s character may not be the best grandpa… But George Bluth definitely leaves an impression and is the initial reason the Bluth family comes together to sort their dysfunction.

Favorite Quote:

George Michael Bluth: [George Michael answers phone] Hello, Bluth Company.
George Michael Bluth: Talk you off what, PopPop?
George Bluth Sr.: Oh, George Michael! I thought you were – when’s that voice gonna drop? Put Kitty on the phone.

[tps_title]9. Archie Bunker in All In The Family[/tps_title]

Archie Bunker is one of TV’s most famous characters, so how can he not make this list? Carroll O’Connor played a hardworking family man who was funnily irritable, blunt and kind of bigoted. Archie had an odd, if amusing, way of showing he cared, but we knew he did.

Favorite Quote:

Babysitter: Mr. Bunker, maybe you’d feel better if you sat for your grandson.
Archie: I would but I have a poker game going on.
Babysitter: Well what’s more important: a poker game or your grandson?
Archie: Don’t be fresh.

[tps_title]10. Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather[/tps_title]

Not only was he a godfather, but he was also a grandfather. (Spoiler Alert!) Sadly, Vito meets his demise while playing in the garden with his grandson, it’s that scene among others that show while he may have been a ruthless business man, he truly adored his family.

Favorite Quote:

Don Corleone: Tell me, do you spend time with your family?
Johnny Fontane: Sure I do.
Don Corleone: Good. Because a man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man.

[tps_title]Bad Grandpa hits theaters October 25th![/tps_title]

 Watch the trailer!

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