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. 1
   Bobby Singer

   The gruff surrogate father and hunting mentor to the Winchesters in Supernatural.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Uncle Iroh

   The wise, tea-loving firebending master who guides Prince Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
   943pts
3. 3
   Mr. Feeny

   The dedicated teacher and neighbor who mentors Cory across Boy Meets World.
   943pts
4. 4
   Master Splinter

   The rat sensei who trains the heroes in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
   692pts
5. 5
   Daniel LaRusso

   The former Karate Kid turned sensei mentoring students in Cobra Kai.
   692pts
6. 6
   Jean-Luc Picard

   The principled Enterprise captain who guides his crew in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
   600pts
7. 7
   Dr. Perry Cox

   The acerbic attending physician who shapes J.D. into a real doctor in Scrubs.
   600pts
8. 8
   Rupert Giles

   The Watcher and school librarian who trains Buffy in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
   491pts
9. 9
   Zordon

   The interdimensional mentor who guides the Power Rangers from his command center.
   360pts
10. 10
    Ted Lasso

    The relentlessly optimistic American coach who mentors an English football club in Ted Lasso.
    360pts
11. 11
    Uncle Phil

    Philip Banks, the wise father figure who guides Will in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
    360pts
12. 12
    The Doctor

    The time-traveling Time Lord who mentors a rotating cast of companions in Doctor Who.
    360pts
13. 13
    Coach Eric Taylor

    The high school football coach and moral compass of Friday Night Lights.
    200pts
14. 14
    Optimus Prime

    The noble Autobot leader who guides his troops in Transformers.
    200pts