00:00, 20 June 2026
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
To all the fathers, padres, and babas: the world is shaped by your guidance.
True father figures do not just provide a last name; they step into the gaps, offer unconditional support, and alter the destinies of those they take under their wing. The fathers on this list are role models, not just for their own children but to many all over the world.
Here is a look at the famous father figures whose powerful impact is highly commendable.
We have to put the All Star NBA player, Dwyane Wade first on this list as over the years, he has been an excellent advocate for trans youth. Since his daughter Zaya came out in 2020, Dwyane has gone beyond supporting his daughter to being one of Hollywood’s most vocal allies.
Through The Wade Family Foundation, he extends this care to other youths providing resources and opportunities to those that belong in underserved communities, which includes those from immigrant and LGBTQ+ backgrounds.
In 2023 he executive produced documentary ‘The Dads’ which explored other dads’ relationships with their children after coming out as trans. The honesty, vulnerability and heartfelt nature of the film inspired the creation of a US-based national nonprofit the Dads Foundation by some of the fathers that appeared in the film. Their aim is to help other fathers come to understand and uplift their gender-expansive children.
And last but not least, we have to talk about Translatable, an online resource hub Dwyane set up with Zaya acts as a safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth to learn but also guides for parents.
Well, if it isn’t the Man of the Match from England’s first game in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Harry Kane. Besides being an incredibly talented footballer, did you know he has his own foundation?
Launched on World Mental Health Day in October 2022, the Harry Kane Foundation (HKF) is all about transforming ‘a generation’s thinking about mental health’. The organisation collaborates with experts and other charities to fund and champion services and research to get the public active on prioritising and understanding mental health, and being a great role model to his children as well as millions of other British Children.
The foundation produced a short animated film called ‘Harry Kane: Resilience’ which depicts Harry's journey from kicking a ball around a park to becoming the Three Lions (England’s national team) captain. This film highlights life’s challenges but shares his determination to never give up, practice positive thinking, and receive support from others. This film won Gold in the Smiley Charity Film Awards — watch here!
Colin Farrell
Another dad, another foundation and this time it’s the actor Colin Farrell. Known for his roles in Minority Report and as the Penguin in The Batman, Colin’s activism for special needs started before becoming a dad when he participated alongside the athletes in the Special Olympics World Summer Games that were held in Ireland back in 2003.
Continually after his son James was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome, Colin’s activism for intellectual disabilities became more personal. This led to him founding the Colin Farrell Foundation which is especially committed to supporting people with intellectual disabilities and their loved ones guiding them through living an enriching life.
The foundation offers initiatives that focus on the lack of affordable and accessible community-based housing and day programs for people living with intellectual disability who require more than minimal daily living support. In addition to Camp Solas which will offer caretakers the opportunity to attend an inclusive retreat where they will learn about available services and programs for their loved ones while forging deep connections with families who are navigating similar challenges.
Tom’s journey of being a good dad probably comes from one of his own role models — his own father. Unfortunately Tom’s dad, Robert Daley, passed away one year prior to his first Olympic triumph at the London 2012 Games due to brain cancer. But before his passing, he gave up his career as an electrician to help support Tom in his early career, following him around the world.
Following his father’s passing Tom has used his position as an athlete on the global stage to champion for issues close to his heart, such as The Brain Tumour Charity.
Today, the diving champion uses those cherished memories as a parenting compass, striving daily to pass down the same lessons to his two sons, and hoping, above all, to make his biggest cheerleader proud of the father he has become.
Moreover, having faced childhood bullying and feelings of isolation, Tom came out publicly about his sexuality in 2013, he realised that visible representation saves lives. He famously used his emotional podium speech at the Tokyo Olympics to deliver a direct message to queer kids worldwide, declaring: "You are not alone, and you can achieve anything." From this point on and continually, Tom Daley has championed LGBTQ youth at every opportunity.
This positive news article aligns with the UN SDG Reduced Inequalities.
