It’s time to shine the spotlight on great dads. No doubt most of us would nominate our own for Father of the Year, but we picked out some other fathers with Chicago roots we think are pretty spectacular. Here are 14 of the coolest dads around (in no particular order).
1. Seth Meyers
Meyers is the host of NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” but he first captured our hearts on “Saturday Night Live,” hosting Weekend Update. The 42-year-old Evanston native (and Northwestern graduate) welcomed a son, Ashe Olsen Meyers, on March 27, 2016, with wife Alexi Ashe. He talked about the birth of his son on his show, saying, “I kept laughing because I kept thinking back to the last few months the amount of times people had said to me ‘are you ready for this’ and watching it [the birth] happen I couldn’t help but laugh. Who could be ready for this? Who could prepare for what you’re seeing right now? Like oh yeah, we’re totally ready for this day. The last month we’ve just been driving Ubers around Manhattan … [and] we’ve been pulling baby dolls through a keyhole.”
2. Mike Wilbon
While the host of ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption” currently resides in our nation’s capitol, Wilbon was born and raised in Chicago, graduating from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism in 1980. He has one son, Matthew Wilbon, 8, with wife Sheryl. Wilbon says fatherhood has changed him in every way imaginable, and remembers the advice late friend Stuart Scott gave him when he became a father in his late 40s. “All the things you fear [changing diapers, getting peed on] … Enjoy each one of those things. And learn to enjoy it,” Wilbon says Scott told him. “I thought ‘Stewart’s out of his mind!’ … [But during] that first diaper change at home, he peed on me. And I just started laughing, because I wasn’t afraid of it.” Wilbon tells future fathers to do the same, and to be involved. “Don’t leave everything to your wife, or his/her mother. Mothers are comfortable in that role … but be involved. Be hands on.”
3. Eddie Vedder
Pearl Jam frontman Vedder lives in Seattle with wife Jill McCormick and their two daughters, but the Evanston native and diehard Cubs fan finds plenty of time to come home to Chicago, especially during baseball season when he can frequently be found in attendance at Wrigley, throwing out the first pitch, singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch, and even serenading the team with his original song “(Someday We’ll Go) All the Way.” Despite his packed schedule of recording and touring with Pearl Jam, supporting his hometown team, and performing at charity events across the country, Vedder manages to squeeze in plenty of fun with his daughters. He’s been known to collaborate and record songs with younger daughter Harper, and brought older daughter Olivia on stage at Bonnaroo to wish her a very happy 12th birthday.
4. Harrison Ford
If you haven’t seen the latest movie in the “Star Wars” saga, we’ll refrain from any major spoiler alerts; however, Harrison Ford’s portrayal of Han Solo captured the hearts of fans everywhere. The 73-year-old Chicago native is a father of five and a grandfather of three. Although the former Indiana Jones largely keeps his personal life private, he has been noted as a source of inspiration for son Ben Ford, who is a chef in Los Angeles, California.
5. Mike Krzyzewski
Krzyzewski has served as head coach of the men’s basketball team at Duke University since 1980. The 69-year-old Chicago native often mentions his own mother as someone he has looked up to. He says, “The person who has inspired me my whole life is my mom, because she taught me commitment. She sacrificed.” Krzyzewski, father of three and grandfather to nine, established the Emily Krzyzewski Center, a nonprofit in Durham, North Carolina, named in honor of his mother. The organization’s programs work to develop student leaders and prepare them for college entrances, breaking the cycle of poverty in their families. The coach and his wife also support Duke Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network, amongst other philanthropic efforts.
6. Charles Whitaker
A beloved professor at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, Whitaker is also an alumnus, having completed both his undergraduate and graduate schooling as a Wildcat. Although Whitaker has two sons of his own, it’s no secret he’s a mentor to many aspiring journalists. Through teaching, Whitaker hopes to pay it forward.
7. Ben Zobrist
Zobrist came to the Chicago Cubs off of a World Series win with the Kansas City Royals. Hailing from Eureka, Illinois, the second baseman has seen quite a bit of attention over the years for his above-average hitting and base running. He and wife Julianna Zobrist have four children; during the 2015 World Series, Julianna was expecting the couple’s fourth child, Blaise. Blaise’s middle name, Royal, is an homage to the team.
8. Marian Hossa
Chicago is definitely a “hockey town,” and we would be remiss to pass over fan favorite Marian Hossa. The Chicago Blackhawks right-winger has been a staple member of the team, helping secure three Stanley Cup wins with his Chicago teammates. Hossa married longtime girlfriend Jana Ferova, and together the couple has two daughters, Mia and Zoja.
9. Richard Melman
Hungry Chicagoans have plenty to thank Richard Melman for: The founder and chairman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises has helped to develop hundreds of restaurant concepts, including (but not limited to) Beatrix, R.J. Grunts (the company’s first creation), RPM Italian (Hi Giuliana and Bill!), and Summer House Santa Monica. Melman has three children with wife Martha. When asked what lessons he hopes to instill in his children, Melman says, “I hope they find what they love to do in life and work hard at it. I hope they find love, have humility and are honest people. The best thing that parents can do is model the behavior they hope to see in their kids.”
10. Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th President of the United States, assumed office in January 2009, after serving time as an Illinois Senator from 2005-2008. Political views aside, it’s hard to dispute the love Obama has for his daughters Malia and Sasha. The President attended Malia’s high school graduation this week; Malia plans to take a gap year before enrolling at Harvard University in fall 2017. Even if your dad is POTUS, you can’t escape a dad joke or two.
Honorable Mentions
1. Adam LaRoche
LaRoche left the White Sox this year after being asked to limit son Drake’s time in the organization’s clubhouse. While the disagreement over Drake’s actual distraction remains, we applaud LaRoche for remembering #FamilyFirst.
2. Demetrius Ivory
WGN’s Ivory and wife Erin McElroy welcomed twins earlier this year after struggles with infertility. With the help of a third party, the couple brought home two adorable twin girls, Harlow and Hadley.
3. Bill Wennington
Wennington, a center for the Chicago Bulls from 1993-1999, was beloved by fans during the Bulls’ three-year NBA championship run. Son Robbie went on to play Division I football at Boston College, but we’re curious if the two could go head to head on the court these days.
4. Tony Perry
The patriarch of the A. Perry Homes architecture and building firm keeps it in the family, working with his children to customize and rebuild area homes. The third generation of Perrys is also represented by his granddaughter, who stars in their ads.
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