# 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?

*By YPB Team · Published July 8, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-14-best-tv-mentor-characters-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Bobby Singer** — score 1000/1000
   The gruff surrogate father and hunting mentor to the Winchesters in Supernatural.
2. **Uncle Iroh** — score 943/1000
   The wise, tea-loving firebending master who guides Prince Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
3. **Mr. Feeny** — score 943/1000
   The dedicated teacher and neighbor who mentors Cory across Boy Meets World.
4. **Master Splinter** — score 692/1000
   The rat sensei who trains the heroes in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
5. **Daniel LaRusso** — score 692/1000
   The former Karate Kid turned sensei mentoring students in Cobra Kai.
6. **Jean-Luc Picard** — score 600/1000
   The principled Enterprise captain who guides his crew in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
7. **Dr. Perry Cox** — score 600/1000
   The acerbic attending physician who shapes J.D. into a real doctor in Scrubs.
8. **Rupert Giles** — score 491/1000
   The Watcher and school librarian who trains Buffy in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
9. **Zordon** — score 360/1000
   The interdimensional mentor who guides the Power Rangers from his command center.
10. **Ted Lasso** — score 360/1000
   The relentlessly optimistic American coach who mentors an English football club in Ted Lasso.
11. **Uncle Phil** — score 360/1000
   Philip Banks, the wise father figure who guides Will in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
12. **The Doctor** — score 360/1000
   The time-traveling Time Lord who mentors a rotating cast of companions in Doctor Who.
13. **Coach Eric Taylor** — score 200/1000
   The high school football coach and moral compass of Friday Night Lights.
14. **Optimus Prime** — score 200/1000
   The noble Autobot leader who guides his troops in Transformers.

Tags: tv shows, characters, mentors