MomSkoop
Television has given us some of the most heartwarming, hilarious, and wise grandparents we’ve ever met. These fictional elders have stolen our hearts with their quirky personalities, sage advice, and unconditional love for their families. From meddling matchmakers to tough-love dispensers, TV grandparents often become the secret stars of their shows, creating moments we cherish long after episodes end.
1. Frank Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond)
Grumpy, blunt, and unapologetically himself, Frank Barone delivered some of the sharpest one-liners in sitcom history. Portrayed by Peter Boyle, this Korean War veteran ruled his household with sarcastic comments and a complete disregard for social niceties.
Frank’s relationship with his wife Marie was a masterclass in loving someone while constantly bickering with them. Despite his crusty exterior, viewers caught glimpses of his soft heart, especially around his grandchildren.
His catchphrase “Holy crap!” and his favorite chair became iconic elements of the show. Frank represented that grandfather who seems tough but would secretly do anything for his family.
2. Sophia Petrillo (The Golden Girls)
Armed with her iconic wicker purse and biting wit, Sophia Petrillo never held back her opinions. Estelle Getty brought this Sicilian firecracker to life, creating a grandmother character who could deliver brutal honesty wrapped in humor.
Her famous phrase “Picture it, Sicily…” introduced countless stories that might have been embellished but always contained kernels of wisdom. Though technically Dorothy’s mother, Sophia became a grandmother figure to the entire household.
What made Sophia special was her combination of old-world values and surprisingly progressive attitudes. Her small stature contrasted with her enormous personality, proving age doesn’t diminish spirit.
3. Grandpa Joe (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory)
Bedridden for years until the magic of a golden ticket inspired him to dance again, Grandpa Joe embodied childlike wonder. Jack Albertson portrayed this beloved character who became Charlie Bucket’s companion on the adventure of a lifetime.
His enthusiasm for life despite difficult circumstances made him the perfect person to accompany Charlie to Wonka’s factory. Grandpa Joe’s joy was infectious as he floated around the Fizzy Lifting Drinks room and defended Charlie when things went wrong.
Though some modern viewers jokingly question his sudden ability to walk, his character represents the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren. He believed in dreams when others saw only practical reality.
4. Marie Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond)
The quintessential meddling mother and grandmother, Marie Barone elevated passive-aggressive comments to an art form. Doris Roberts created a character who showed love through food, cleaning, and constant “helpful” criticism.
Marie’s kitchen became the epicenter of family drama, where she wielded her cooking skills like weapons. Her complicated relationship with daughter-in-law Debra provided countless comedic moments, while her grandchildren received nothing but adoration and cookies.
Behind her interfering ways was a fierce protectiveness of her family. Marie represented that grandmother who drives you crazy but whose absence would leave an unfillable void in family gatherings.
5. Phil (Modern Family)
Fred Willard brought to life the wonderfully weird Phil Sr., father to Phil Dunphy and grandfather to the Dunphy children. His character perfectly explained where Phil got his unique personality, showing that quirkiness runs in the family.
Though appearing in fewer episodes than other TV grandparents, Phil Sr. made each appearance memorable with his inappropriate jokes and youthful energy. His relationship with his son demonstrated a friendship that extended beyond typical father-son dynamics.
Phil Sr. embodied the fun grandfather who never quite grew up himself. His childlike enthusiasm for magic tricks, technology, and adventures made him a hit with both his grandkids and the audience.
6. Grandma Ida (Malcolm in the Middle)
Few TV grandmothers have been as delightfully terrible as Grandma Ida from Malcolm in the Middle. Portrayed by Cloris Leachman, Ida terrorized her family with her harsh criticism, old-country ways, and complete lack of filter.
With her wooden leg and constant cigarette, Ida represented the antithesis of the warm, cookie-baking grandmother stereotype. Her battles with daughter-in-law Lois were legendary, often escalating to physical confrontations played for dark comedy.
Despite her awful behavior, there were rare glimpses of vulnerability that explained her hardened exterior. Ida showed that not all grandparents fit the loving mold, but family connections remain complex and important nevertheless.
7. Mabel ‘Madea’ Simmons (Tyler Perry’s Madea series)
Gun-toting, no-nonsense Madea might be the most unconventional grandmother figure on television, but her fierce protection of family makes her unforgettable. Created and portrayed by Tyler Perry, this tough-as-nails matriarch delivers wisdom with a heavy dose of humor and intimidation.
Behind her harsh exterior lies a woman who’s weathered life’s storms and emerged stronger for it. Her catchphrases and outlandish reactions to family drama have spawned countless memes and cemented her place in pop culture.
What makes Madea truly special is how she balances tough love with genuine care. When family members need guidance, she’s there with both brutal honesty and unexpected tenderness that reminds viewers why grandmothers are often the backbone of their families.
8. Grandma Yetta (The Nanny)
With her signature cloud of white hair, excessive makeup, and gravelly voice, Grandma Yetta stumbled through life in a delightful haze of confusion. Ann Morgan Guilbert created an unforgettable character whose memory issues never dampened her spirits or sharp tongue.
Often mistaking Maxwell Sheffield for Fran’s husband long before they were together, Yetta’s confusion sometimes led to accidental truths. Her flashy outfits and constant smoking added to her distinct personality as the quintessential Jewish grandmother from Queens.
Despite her mental fog, Yetta dispensed surprising wisdom and maintained her sense of humor. Her relationship with Fran showcased the special bond between grandmothers and granddaughters across generations.
9. George Bluth Sr. (Arrested Development)
Not all TV grandparents are wise and loving – some, like George Bluth Sr., are hilariously corrupt. Jeffrey Tambor played this imprisoned patriarch whose questionable business decisions and moral flexibility created chaos for his entire family.
From behind prison walls (and later while hiding in the attic), George Sr. continued manipulating his children and occasionally interacting with his grandchildren. His relationship with grandson George Michael was especially complex, filled with awkward life lessons and dubious advice.
Despite his many flaws, George Sr. occasionally showed genuine affection for his family. His character reminds us that grandparents are complex people with their own mistakes and regrets, not just supporting characters in their grandchildren’s lives.
10. Mona Robinson (Who’s the Boss?)
Mona Robinson shattered stereotypes about grandmothers with her active dating life, modern attitudes, and refusal to act her age. Katherine Helmond portrayed this free-spirited redhead who provided a refreshing counterpoint to traditional elderly characters on television.
As Angela’s mother and Jonathan’s grandmother, Mona delivered zingers with perfect timing while dispensing surprisingly good advice. Her open-mindedness about Tony and Angela’s unconventional living arrangement helped viewers see beyond traditional family structures.
Mona’s vibrant wardrobe matched her personality – colorful, bold, and refusing to fade into the background. She represented the grandmother who teaches her family that life doesn’t end at retirement; sometimes that’s when the fun really begins.
11. Grandpa Simpson (The Simpsons)
Abraham Simpson deserves a second mention because he’s simply that iconic. His catchphrase “Back in my day” introduces stories that meander through impossible timelines and historical events he couldn’t possibly have witnessed.
His relationship with grandson Bart combines frustration with moments of unexpected connection. When not falling asleep mid-sentence or writing complaint letters to various companies, Grampa occasionally reveals his past as a WWII veteran, giving depth to his character.
From his stay at the Springfield Retirement Castle to his brief stint living with the Simpson family, Abe captures the bittersweet reality of aging. His character reminds viewers that elderly family members have rich histories beneath their current appearances.
12. Jay Pritchett (Modern Family)
As the patriarch of the extended Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan, Jay Pritchett (Ed O’Neill) brought gruff love and reluctant wisdom to his role as grandfather. His journey from traditional businessman to more accepting family member formed a central arc of Modern Family.
Jay’s relationships with his step-grandson Manny and his biological grandchildren showed different facets of his personality. Though uncomfortable with emotional displays, his actions repeatedly revealed his deep love for his family.
His second marriage to Gloria created a unique family dynamic where he became both father and grandfather simultaneously. Jay embodied the modern grandfather adapting to changing family structures and social values while maintaining his core identity.
13. Grandma Huang (Fresh Off the Boat)
Lucille Soong brought to life the stern but loving Grandma Jenny Huang, who moved in with her son’s family after her husband’s death. Speaking primarily Mandarin throughout the series, her character provided both comedy and cultural authenticity.
Grandma Huang’s traditional values sometimes clashed with American culture, creating humorous situations. Her superstitions, gambling hobby, and unexpected adaptability to certain aspects of American life made her character multidimensional.
Her relationship with her grandchildren evolved throughout the series, showing how immigrant grandparents bridge generational and cultural divides. Grandma Huang represented the important role many grandparents play in maintaining cultural heritage while adapting to new environments.
14. Cotton Hill (King of the Hill)
Standing at 5’0″ (after losing his shins in WWII), Cotton Hill was possibly television’s most offensive grandfather. This cantankerous war veteran, voiced by Toby Huss, terrorized his family with politically incorrect rants and a refusal to show affection to his son Hank.
Cotton’s relationship with his grandson Bobby provided unexpected moments of connection. Unlike with Hank, Cotton showed occasional kindness to Bobby, bonding over inappropriate activities and stories from his war days.
Despite his many flaws, Cotton’s character had a certain tragic quality. His inability to adapt to changing times and his damaged relationship with his son showed the painful consequences of toxic masculinity across generations.
15. Professor Proton (The Big Bang Theory)
Bob Newhart brought his legendary deadpan delivery to the role of Arthur Jeffries, better known as Professor Proton. As Sheldon’s childhood hero who later became his ghostly grandfather figure, this character created some of the show’s most heartwarming moments.
Professor Proton’s patience with Sheldon’s eccentricities wavered between exasperation and genuine affection. Their relationship evolved from celebrity-fan to something resembling a grandfather-grandson bond, with Arthur dispensing advice about life and love.
Even after his character’s death, Professor Proton continued appearing to Sheldon in dreams, dressed in Obi-Wan Kenobi robes. This imaginative representation showed how influential grandparent figures remain in our lives even after they’re gone.