After being fired from her job and dumped by her boyfriend, a cosmetics saleswoman becomes the nanny to the three children of a rich English widower. As time passes, the two fall for each other.
Dr. Benton C. Quest is Jonny's father and a scientific genius who works for the U.S. Government. He is considered "one of the three top scientists in the world", with interests and technical know-how spanning many fields. Raising Jonny and Hadji as a widowed father, he is benevolent, conscientious and decent, even though he is ready, willing and able to take decisive action when necessary for survival or defense.
Thanks for adding Mike Brady. Honestly, he is the last person I would have thought of as being a widower. The choice of Different Strokes triggered a distant memory that Mike and Carol Brady married after losing their spouses.
(Harry has already died at the start of the series but he is a regular main character who is not just seen in flashbacks: in fact, he's almost always seen present-day, talking to Dexter. He is a widower at the start of the series, as his wife died at least a few years before he did.)
For your consideration. I am familiar with these widower characters. They are currently not on your list. There may be other viable candidates among the 111 television series in this search.
A famous "psychic" outs himself as a fake, and starts working as a consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation so he can find "Red John", the madman who killed his wife and daughter.
While serving in South Vietnam, Magnum married a beautiful French-Eurasian nurse named Michelle Hue, the widow of North Vietnamese General Nguyen Hue. Magnum left Vietnam believing Michelle was killed during the 1975 evacuation of Saigon. Her death was staged because General Hue had resurfaced and Michelle knew Magnum wouldn't leave Vietnam without her. Michelle was a devout Catholic and in the eyes of the church Hue was her husband, not Magnum.
In "Memories Are Forever" (November 1981), Magnum was reunited with his presumed dead wife and learned the truth behind her deception. Unbeknownst to Magnum at the time, they conceived a daughter during that reunion. The child, Lily Catherine, appeared in five episodes ("Little Girl Who", "Limbo", "Infinity and Jelly doughnuts," "Unfinished Business", and "Resolutions"). Although she was raised as the daughter of General Hue, Lily Catherine learned Magnum-related things from Michelle, such as "Detroit Tigers" and "Rick, T.C., Thomas". By "Resolutions" (May 1988), General Hue's enemies had killed Hue, Michelle, and Michelle's second husband, Edward Durant. Lily Catherine was presumed dead and was reunited with Magnum, who returned to his career as a Naval Intelligence officer to protect her.
J.D. "Jed" Clampett, usually called Jed Clampett, is the apparent patriarch of the family with his mother-in-law Granny, nephew Jethro, and daughter Elly May. Although he had received little formal education, Jed Clampett has a good deal of common sense. He is a good-natured man and a widower. Jed's wife (Elly May's mother) died but is referred to in the episode "Duke Steals A Wife" as Rose Ellen.
Jessica Logan (Tonya Glanz) is Wyatt's wife. Prior to Wyatt joining the Lifeboat team, Jessica was murdered in 2012. Wyatt attempts to prevent the murder by hijacking the Lifeboat and erase the existence of the murderer, only to discover that Jessica remains dead.
Wyatt Logan (Matt Lanter) is a U.S. ArmyDelta Force operative assigned to the Lifeboat team. As an elite soldier, he has expertise in weapons, picking locks, and is fluent in four languages. He constantly tries to cope with the loss of his wife Jessica, who was murdered in 2012. Because of this, he often wishes to use the time machine to prevent her death. While in 1962 Las Vegas, he takes a cue from Back to the Future Part II and has Western Union write a telegram for Jessica in 2012, but it doesn't work. After returning from 1893 Chicago, Flynn calls Wyatt, tells him who killed his wife, and suggests what he should do to reverse it. Wyatt also suffers from PTSD after being the lone survivor of a failed operation. With the help of Rufus, Wyatt steals the Lifeboat and travels to 1983 to prevent the birth of Wes Gilliam, the serial killer who murdered Jessica. While he succeeds in erasing Gilliam from existence, he is arrested by Homeland Security and discovers that Jessica remains dead. He promptly escapes with the help of Agent Christopher, and reunites with the team to continue chasing after Flynn. After the team's 1954 mission, Wyatt decides to stick around with the team.[5][2]
In season two, Wyatt develops a romantic relationship with Lucy, but after the team's 1941 Hollywood mission, he discovers that Jessica is alive. When Jessica threatens to divorce him, Wyatt reveals the existence of the time machine, and her original fate so she will give him a second chance. Despite choosing his wife, Wyatt still has feelings for Lucy, and is jealous when she hangs out more with Flynn. Though Wyatt becomes suspicious of Jessica, he refuses to let Agent Christopher move her out after he discovers Jessica is pregnant. When Jessica later reveals herself to be a Rittenhouse member, Wyatt admits his suspicions to the team. After returning from 1888 Chinatown, Wyatt admits to Lucy that he loves her just as a second Lifeboat shows up with Wyatt and Lucy from the future.
Wyatt Logan is named after Ted "Theodore" Logan, the second main protagonist of the Bill & Ted franchise.[4]
Foxx, whose real name was John Elroy Sanford,[3] modeled the character after his real-life older brother, Fred Glenn Sanford, Jr., who had died in 1965, seven years before the show premiered. The role is an adaptation from Albert Steptoe (Wilfrid Brambell) of the series' forebear, Steptoe and Son. The character Fred is an elderly, widowed, sarcastic, and cantankerous junk dealer. He is the proprietor of "Sanford and Son", a junk and antique dealership which he runs out of his home, along with his son, Lamont. Foxx appeared in all episodes of the series except nine (due to a contract dispute Foxx had with NBC) in 1974.
"Empty Nest" tells of the day to day misadventures of a widowed pediatrician named Harry Weston and his two adult daughters, Barbara and Carol, who have come back to live with him after failed marriages.
In this continuation to the "Andy Griffifth Show", Sam Jones, a local farmer, is elected to the Mayberry town council. Like Andy Taylor, Sam is a widower raising a young son named Mike. Sam also hires Aunt Bee as his housekeeper after Andy marries his sweetheart Helen Crump and moves away. The show chronicles Sam's dealings with the citizens of Mayberry as well as his home life.—Brian Washington <Sargebri@att.net>
Kevin Burke (Christopher Sieber) is a college professor and widower father living in Chicago, Illinois, who believes there is a scientific explanation for everything except how to control his scheming 11, then 12-year-old daughters. Mary-Kate and Ashley Burke (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) are twin sisters, who are complete opposites; Mary-Kate is a tomboy whose biggest interest is perfecting her jumpshot and curveball and whose worst subject in school is math. Ashley is a girly girl who makes straight As and dreams of a modeling career and dancing. Kevin's wife died prior to the series.
Jethro Bodine: With him bein' Mrs. Drysdale's Pa, if he were to marry Granny, would that make Mrs. Drysdale my Ma?
Jed Clampett: 'Course not, boy. Strictly speakin', Granny's not your granny, she's Elly's granny. Your Ma, who is my Cousin Pearl is Elly's great aunt on account of her Ma and my Pa was brother and sister and that makes us first cousins. Now I married Granny's daughter, so Pearl by marriage... that is to say, my Pa... well anyway I think yer a grand nephew.
ACT_1
8K Messages
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171K Points
11 months ago
@riverotter 😀
Add ??
My Three Sons (1960-1972)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053525/reference/
Widower Steve Douglas raises three sons ...
Fred MacMurray ... Steve Douglas (380 episodes, 1960-1972)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053525/mediaviewer/rm1886792193
Tim Considine, William Frawley, Don Grady, Stanley Livingston, Fred MacMurray,
and Tramp
.
(edited)
1
mariojacobs
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11 months ago
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106080/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
After being fired from her job and dumped by her boyfriend, a cosmetics saleswoman becomes the nanny to the three children of a rich English widower. As time passes, the two fall for each other.
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mariojacobs
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11 months ago
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077003/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_4_tt_8_nm_0_q_different%2520strokes
Diff'rent Strokes
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dan_dassow
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11 months ago
@riverotter ,
For your consideration:
Gidget (1965–1966)
Professor Russell Lawrence is the widower father of Gidget.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058806/mediaviewer/rm667446528
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Jessica
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Should the character be a widower at the start of the TV show or can it happen later?
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dan_dassow
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@riverotter ,
For your consideration:
The Brady Bunch (1969–1974)
Mike Brady was a widower at the very beginning of the series.
The misadventures of a large family united when a widower and a widow marry.
The Honeymoon (1969)
When two widowed people get married, both of their families and their houskeeper become one.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0531137/mediaviewer/rm2444419585
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Peter_pbn
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FYC:
Dr. Mike Brown, Everwood
Adrian Monk, Monk
Martin Crane, Frasier
Cordell Walker, Walker
(edited)
1
rubyfruit76
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11 months ago
'Glad to see "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" on the list. : )
FYC:
Tony in "Afterlife"
(widower at the start of the series, although there are some flashbacks to when his wife was still alive)
Harry in "Dexter"
(Harry has already died at the start of the series but he is a regular main character who is not just seen in flashbacks: in fact, he's almost always seen present-day, talking to Dexter. He is a widower at the start of the series, as his wife died at least a few years before he did.)
If you ever do a poll of TV widows:
Ruth in Six Feet Under
2
dan_dassow
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@riverotter ,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Television_series_about_widowhood
Sort by Popularity - Most Popular TV Series tagged with keyword "widower"
https://www.imdb.com/search/keyword/?keywords=widower&sort=moviemeter,asc&mode=detail&page=1&title_type=tvSeries&ref_=kw_ref_typ
For your consideration. I am familiar with these widower characters. They are currently not on your list. There may be other viable candidates among the 111 television series in this search.
= = =
The Mentalist (2008–2015)
Patrick Jane
A famous "psychic" outs himself as a fake, and starts working as a consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation so he can find "Red John", the madman who killed his wife and daughter.
= = =
Magnum, P.I. (1980–1988)
Magnum
Thomas Magnum
This may be borderline.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Magnum
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Magnum#Family
While serving in South Vietnam, Magnum married a beautiful French-Eurasian nurse named Michelle Hue, the widow of North Vietnamese General Nguyen Hue. Magnum left Vietnam believing Michelle was killed during the 1975 evacuation of Saigon. Her death was staged because General Hue had resurfaced and Michelle knew Magnum wouldn't leave Vietnam without her. Michelle was a devout Catholic and in the eyes of the church Hue was her husband, not Magnum.
In "Memories Are Forever" (November 1981), Magnum was reunited with his presumed dead wife and learned the truth behind her deception. Unbeknownst to Magnum at the time, they conceived a daughter during that reunion. The child, Lily Catherine, appeared in five episodes ("Little Girl Who", "Limbo", "Infinity and Jelly doughnuts," "Unfinished Business", and "Resolutions"). Although she was raised as the daughter of General Hue, Lily Catherine learned Magnum-related things from Michelle, such as "Detroit Tigers" and "Rick, T.C., Thomas". By "Resolutions" (May 1988), General Hue's enemies had killed Hue, Michelle, and Michelle's second husband, Edward Durant. Lily Catherine was presumed dead and was reunited with Magnum, who returned to his career as a Naval Intelligence officer to protect her.
= = =
The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971)
Jed Clampett
https://beverlyhillbillies.fandom.com/wiki/Jed_Clampett
J.D. "Jed" Clampett, usually called Jed Clampett, is the apparent patriarch of the family with his mother-in-law Granny, nephew Jethro, and daughter Elly May. Although he had received little formal education, Jed Clampett has a good deal of common sense. He is a good-natured man and a widower. Jed's wife (Elly May's mother) died but is referred to in the episode "Duke Steals A Wife" as Rose Ellen.
= = =
Timeless (2016–2018)
Wyatt Logan
Jessica Logan (Tonya Glanz) is Wyatt's wife. Prior to Wyatt joining the Lifeboat team, Jessica was murdered in 2012. Wyatt attempts to prevent the murder by hijacking the Lifeboat and erase the existence of the murderer, only to discover that Jessica remains dead.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Timeless_characters
Wyatt Logan (Matt Lanter) is a U.S. Army Delta Force operative assigned to the Lifeboat team. As an elite soldier, he has expertise in weapons, picking locks, and is fluent in four languages. He constantly tries to cope with the loss of his wife Jessica, who was murdered in 2012. Because of this, he often wishes to use the time machine to prevent her death. While in 1962 Las Vegas, he takes a cue from Back to the Future Part II and has Western Union write a telegram for Jessica in 2012, but it doesn't work. After returning from 1893 Chicago, Flynn calls Wyatt, tells him who killed his wife, and suggests what he should do to reverse it. Wyatt also suffers from PTSD after being the lone survivor of a failed operation. With the help of Rufus, Wyatt steals the Lifeboat and travels to 1983 to prevent the birth of Wes Gilliam, the serial killer who murdered Jessica. While he succeeds in erasing Gilliam from existence, he is arrested by Homeland Security and discovers that Jessica remains dead. He promptly escapes with the help of Agent Christopher, and reunites with the team to continue chasing after Flynn. After the team's 1954 mission, Wyatt decides to stick around with the team.[5][2]
In season two, Wyatt develops a romantic relationship with Lucy, but after the team's 1941 Hollywood mission, he discovers that Jessica is alive. When Jessica threatens to divorce him, Wyatt reveals the existence of the time machine, and her original fate so she will give him a second chance. Despite choosing his wife, Wyatt still has feelings for Lucy, and is jealous when she hangs out more with Flynn. Though Wyatt becomes suspicious of Jessica, he refuses to let Agent Christopher move her out after he discovers Jessica is pregnant. When Jessica later reveals herself to be a Rittenhouse member, Wyatt admits his suspicions to the team. After returning from 1888 Chinatown, Wyatt admits to Lucy that he loves her just as a second Lifeboat shows up with Wyatt and Lucy from the future.
Wyatt Logan is named after Ted "Theodore" Logan, the second main protagonist of the Bill & Ted franchise.[4]
= = =
Sanford and Son (1972–1977)
Fred G. Sanford
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_G._Sanford
Foxx, whose real name was John Elroy Sanford,[3] modeled the character after his real-life older brother, Fred Glenn Sanford, Jr., who had died in 1965, seven years before the show premiered. The role is an adaptation from Albert Steptoe (Wilfrid Brambell) of the series' forebear, Steptoe and Son. The character Fred is an elderly, widowed, sarcastic, and cantankerous junk dealer. He is the proprietor of "Sanford and Son", a junk and antique dealership which he runs out of his home, along with his son, Lamont. Foxx appeared in all episodes of the series except nine (due to a contract dispute Foxx had with NBC) in 1974.
= = =
Steptoe and Son (1962– )
Albert Steptoe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steptoe_and_Son
= = =
Empty Nest (1988–1995)
Dr. Harry Weston
"Empty Nest" tells of the day to day misadventures of a widowed pediatrician named Harry Weston and his two adult daughters, Barbara and Carol, who have come back to live with him after failed marriages.
= = =
Mayberry R.F.D. (1968–1971)
Sam Jones
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062587/plotsummary/
In this continuation to the "Andy Griffifth Show", Sam Jones, a local farmer, is elected to the Mayberry town council. Like Andy Taylor, Sam is a widower raising a young son named Mike. Sam also hires Aunt Bee as his housekeeper after Andy marries his sweetheart Helen Crump and moves away. The show chronicles Sam's dealings with the citizens of Mayberry as well as his home life.—Brian Washington <Sargebri@att.net>
= = =
Two of a Kind (1998–1999)
Kevin Burke
A show about a single father who has his hands full raising twin sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_of_a_Kind_(American_TV_series)
Kevin Burke (Christopher Sieber) is a college professor and widower father living in Chicago, Illinois, who believes there is a scientific explanation for everything except how to control his scheming 11, then 12-year-old daughters. Mary-Kate and Ashley Burke (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) are twin sisters, who are complete opposites; Mary-Kate is a tomboy whose biggest interest is perfecting her jumpshot and curveball and whose worst subject in school is math. Ashley is a girly girl who makes straight As and dreams of a modeling career and dancing. Kevin's wife died prior to the series.
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riverotter
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11 months ago
Added a bunch. Think I got them all.
Also Ed Brown from Chico and the Man.
Hollywood loves Widowers!
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Pencho15
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11 months ago
FYC:
Frank Reagan in Blue Bloods
John Dutton in Yellowstone
Michael Desiato in Your Honor
Walt Longmire in Longmire
George Gently in George Gently
Don Ramón in El chavo del ocho
Michael Bluth in Arrested Development
Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones
Christopher Foyle in Foyle's War
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dan_dassow
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11 months ago
@riverotter ,
Please add the names of the widowers for:
17. Afterlife (I) (2005–2006)
Tony
18. Dexter (2006–2013)
Harry
19. The Mentalist (2008–2015)
Patrick Jane
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Pencho15
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11 months ago
Live Poll: https://www.imdb.com/poll/hFMwAtMACxA/
Congratulations Riverotter
Please remember to move this to the praise category.
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Tsarstepan
3.9K Messages
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84.9K Points
9 months ago
Can you add the LIVE POLL status to the OP thread title?
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