In honor of Mother's Day (it's this Sunday, people!), we've put together an appreciative list of our favorite television grandmothers. 'Cause where would the characters on our favorite shows be without their moms and their mom's moms? (Psst... don't forget to CALL YOUR MOTHER this weekend!)
20. Martha Rodgers (Susan Sullivan) on Castle
Martha is pretty fabulous woman. Not only is she a Broadway star, but she’s a sassy grandmother who's hip to the ways of internet dating.
19. Adele Stackhouse a.k.a. Gran (Louis Smith) on True Blood
The only clip of Gran that I could find of was kind of a bummer, and truth be told, this one isn't much better. At least it's a testament to the devotion she inspired in her granddaughter?
18. Sophie Cohen (Linda Lavin) on The O.C.
The Nana is a feisty one, fiercely devoted to social work and the demise of Orange County Conservatives.
17. Maxine Gray (Tyne Daly) on Judging Amy
Maxine is always ready to lay down the law, even with her family.
16. Estelle Winslow-Thomas (Rosetta LeNoire) on Family Matters
In many ways, mother Winslow is the prototypical grandma, with her little cardigans, big glasses, perfected updo, and the ability to fix anything with an simple heart-to-heart. Cue the cheesy music:
15. Emily Gilmore (Kelly Bishop) on Gilmore Girls
Rory's grandmother won't hesitate to deliver a good old-fashioned tongue-lashing if someone wrongs her family.
14. Evelyn Harper (Holland Taylor) on Two and a Half Men
Called the devil by some, she is still the mother of Charlie and Alan and the grandmother of Jake. And call me crazy, but in this clip she just might have the right to be pissed over her grandson spitting sushi all over her fancy carpet.
13. Betty Johnson (Susie Garrett) on Punky Brewster
To my knowledge, Betty is the only (and hopefully last) TV grandma to ever rescue her granddaughter from a refrigerator.
12. Lorraine Saracen (Louanne Stephens) on Friday Night Lights
While she has her moments of off-her-rocker craziness, all she wants is for Matt to be happy.
11. Beverly Harris (Estelle Parsons) on Roseanne
Grandma Bev, while quick to judge others, knows that women can still do great things later in life.
NEXT: The Top 10 TV Grandmas >>
10. Mary Brady (Anne Meara) on Sex and the City
Miranda describes her Grandma Brady best: "She's like Steve in a wig, drunk."
9. Marie Barone (Doris Roberts) on Everybody Loves Raymond
Queen Marie, despite her obsessive cleaning disorder, has her sons' best interest at heart. Or at least she has the power to guilt them into thinking that she does.
8. Endora (Agnes Moorehead) on Bewitched
Tabitha's grandmother, albeit unruly, was quite possibly the coolest grandmother ever. Because hello, she's a magical witch!
7. Anna Huxtable (Clarice Taylor) on The Cosby Show
First of all, she gave birth to the Cos. So, major points there. Plus, she helped raise some pretty outstanding and talented grandkids:
6. Mona Robinson (Katherine Helmond) on Who's the Boss
Mona can date whoever she wants. Cause she's Mona.
5. Livia (Nancy Marchand) on The Sopranos
The only thing worse than a cold-blooded killer is the woman who raised him. But at least she's honest. Most of the time.
4. Bernice (Marion Ross) and Bea (Betty White) on That 70's Show
Red and Kitty's respective mothers are each amazing in their own special, unbearable, way.
3. Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Getty) on Golden Girls
Sophie famously told her tales of the good ol' days to anyone who would listen.
2. Lucille Bluth (Jessica Walter) on Arrested Development
The grandmother who takes her grandson to the Motherboy dance is a special woman, indeed.
1. Thelma Harper (Vicki Lawrence) on Mama's Family
Neither Bubba nor Vinton nor Aurora nor Naomi could escape Mama's loving wrath.
Honorable Mentions:
Hattie Banks (Virginia Capers) on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
Jacqueline Bouvier (Julie Kavner) on The Simpsons
Lois Henrickson (Grace Zabriskie) on Big Love
Evelyn Ryan ( Mary Beth Peil) on Dawson's Creek
Grandma Ellington (Ja'Net DuBois) on The Wayan Brothers
Cecilia Rhodes (Caroline Lagerfelt) on Gossip Girl
Ruth Fisher (Frances Conroy) on Six Feet Under
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