The 14 Best TV Mentor Characters of All Time

Wise old souls, tough-love hardasses, and unlikely father figures who shaped their proteges across decades of television. Who guided best?

1

Bobby Singer

The gruff surrogate father and hunting mentor to the Winchesters in Supernatural.

1000pts

2

Uncle Iroh

The wise, tea-loving firebending master who guides Prince Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender.

964pts

3

Mr. Feeny

The dedicated teacher and neighbor who mentors Cory across Boy Meets World.

964pts

4

Master Splinter

The rat sensei who trains the heroes in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

807pts

5

Daniel LaRusso

The former Karate Kid turned sensei mentoring students in Cobra Kai.

807pts

6

Jean-Luc Picard

The principled Enterprise captain who guides his crew in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

749pts

7

Dr. Perry Cox

The acerbic attending physician who shapes J.D. into a real doctor in Scrubs.

749pts

8

Rupert Giles

The Watcher and school librarian who trains Buffy in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

681pts

9

Zordon

The interdimensional mentor who guides the Power Rangers from his command center.

599pts

10

Ted Lasso

The relentlessly optimistic American coach who mentors an English football club in Ted Lasso.

599pts

11

Uncle Phil

Philip Banks, the wise father figure who guides Will in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

599pts

12

The Doctor

The time-traveling Time Lord who mentors a rotating cast of companions in Doctor Who.

599pts

13

Coach Eric Taylor

The high school football coach and moral compass of Friday Night Lights.

499pts

14

Optimus Prime

The noble Autobot leader who guides his troops in Transformers.

499pts