Several years ago, I contributed a piece about the best small-screen mothers on American television to Beliefnet blogger Therese Borchard’s delightful book “I Love Being a Mom.” For the book, I tried to think of characters, who not only set the bar for television motherhood, but also TV moms who accurately reflected the times. So for this Mother’s Day, I thought I’d revisit my list of top ten TV moms and see if I had any additions or revisions to make. (For a full list of descriptions, please see Therese’s book.)
1. June Cleaver, Leave It to Beaver
The always gracious mother of Wally and the Beaver, June Cleaver is the quintessential television mother against whom all other television mothers are measured. Not to mention real-life mothers.
2. Marion Cunningham, Happy Days
She was mom to the entire neighborhood, acting as a surrogate to Richie’s gang of friends: Ralph, Potsie, Chachi, and The Fonz.
3. Carol Brady, The Brady Bunch
This “lovely lady” watched over every single member of her blended family— a pioneering situation for television at the time— like they were one of her own.
4. Marge Simpson, The Simpsons
She may just be a cartoon character, but as the long-suffering, moral compass of the Simpson clan, Marge is more dimensional than most of her reality counterparts.
5. Roseanne Connor, Roseanne
Not only was “Roseanne” ground-breaking for its depiction of working-class motherhood, but issues were rarely tied up by the end of a single episode, reflecting the complexity of real life.
6. Ann Romano, One Day at a Time
Realistically depicting the struggles of newly divorced women, Ann Romano fought not only to keep her two teen daughters on the straight and narrow and with her ex-husband for child support, but also fought off the advances of building superintendent Schneider.
7. Claire Huxtable, The Cosby Show
Claire Huxtable turned sitcom mom convention on its ear by being a professional woman who had equal say in parenting and was the more authoritarian of the two parents.
8. Shirley Partridge, The Partridge Family
She was the real-life stepmother to her television son in this show that proved that the family that plays together, stays together.
9. Murphy Brown, Murphy Brown
The character’s unexpected pregnancy and decision to raise the child on her own spurred Dan Quayle to declare outrage, but spurred professional women everywhere in similar situations to applaud.
10. Lois, Malcolm in the Middle
Lois perfectly embodies the typical overworked, underappreciated modern American mom who will be the first to criticize her children, but also the first defend them until the death.
Along with the above list, I had several honorable mentions, including Samantha Stevens from Bewitched, Donna Reed, Florida Evans from Good Times, Kate and Allie, and even Dana Sculley from the X-Files.
So, would I change my list today? Would I be heartless enough to knock one of these fine ladies off my list this Mother’s Day? Unfortunately, the answer is yes.
As much as I love the “Partridge Family” and their psychedelic bus, I think I love Carmela Soprano slightly more for this list.
Even though her husband is a mob boss (and she’s an accessory), Carmela works to preserve the façade of family like Tony works over his enemies, an impossible situation many mothers find themselves in. Plus, the character perfectly epitomizes the evolution of the empty-nester mother, eventually looking for individual fulfillment through building her own spec house.
So, who would make your Top Ten TV Moms list this Mother’s Day and why?



posted May 7, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Do they all have to be from sitcoms…because all of these were? I think two of the best TV moms of all time are missing from this list: Olivia Walton of The Waltons…and Caroline Ingalls from Little House On The Prairie. If you want to add modern day dramatic moms like Carmela Soprano, then you should probably include Nora Walker from Brothers and Sisters. So… to add these three, I would probably remove Lois, Murphy and Roseanne.
posted May 8, 2008 at 10:50 am
I think it’s great that Roseanne was included. She was probably the most realistic mom on the entire list. At times she yelled and got fed up with her kids and husband, but she also showed great compassion and love.
posted May 8, 2008 at 3:17 pm
I would nominate – in the “reality / unscripted show” category, Kate from Jon & Kate plus 8. She is awesome and very real, loving, and cool under bizarre pressure.
posted May 8, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Kate on “Jon and Kate” always seems so mean to her husband though! I feel bad for him most episodes.
posted May 8, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Definitely Carmela Soprano! I’d also put Barb from Big Love and Carla from Scrubs.
posted May 9, 2008 at 9:24 am
How about Edith Bunker from “All in the Family?” She was the absolute best TV Mom of all times!
posted May 9, 2008 at 11:25 am
How could you leave out Florida Evans from Good Times who tried to instill values in her children despite being poor?
posted May 9, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I would add Diahann Carroll for her role as “Julia” back in the 1960′s. She played a widow raising her son while she worked as a nurse. Not the typical 1960′s family depicted on TV.
Also, Frances Conroy as Ruth Fisher on Six Feet Under
posted May 9, 2008 at 12:10 pm
In the show “I Remember Momma” grown up daughter Kathryn(sp) remembered her wise, loving and hard working Momma who made time for the entire family, managed the home and the conflicts that arose in their daily lives. She had dignity, a sense of humor, a strong faith and was respected by all.
posted May 9, 2008 at 7:43 pm
how about kelly rippa?
posted May 11, 2008 at 8:30 am
Other than Kelly Ripa, all of these “best” moms are TV characters, just playing a role. In real life, there are so many wonderful moms & I consider myself, my daughter & my daughter in law among them. We have survived many family near tragedies & became a better mothers for the experience. Lots of love, understading & compassion are the 3 top requisites for being a “Best” Mom.
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you great moms!!!!!!
posted May 12, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Did everyone miss the long-running CBS-TV situation comedy “Everybody Loves Raymond?” I grew to “love” Debra Barone just as much as her bumbling husband, Raymond Barone. She was supportive, yet stuck up herself when she felt it was necessary. She chose to work “inside” the home, which I find refreshing. My mother stayed at home, and my sister and I were better off because of our mother’s presence!
It might not be popular thinking today, and, so, it may not be found on television, but there is nothing that says that a woman cannot be independent and a good mother!
posted May 15, 2008 at 10:43 am
What about Elyse(sp?) Keaton from “Family Ties”. I thought she was great. I would also consider Mrs. Garrett from “Facts of Life”. No, she is not a typical mother, but dealing with all of those girls in a boarding school was quite challenging.
posted September 9, 2008 at 8:15 pm
What about Belinda Montgomery who played Katherine Howser on Doogie Howser M.D. She not only was a great TV Mom but she is as wonderful a lady in real life.
posted September 9, 2008 at 8:18 pm
You can vote for a terrific TV Mom for the Canada Walk of Fame for 2009. Google Belinda Montgomery and sign your name to her petition for the Canada Walk of Fame. Put her star on the Walk. She is a wonderful, deserving lady.