Rare Historic Father’s Day Images That Celebrate Dads

In honor of Father's Day, we wanted to showcase these rare historic photos of famous fathers with their kids.

History is graced by many, many fathers. A lot of these men are people you wouldn’t think of as fathers first. We’re talking presidents, professional athletes and film stars.

But behind the cameras, these men had families that also demanded their attention even when being in the spotlight made it difficult. In honor of Father’s Day (always celebrated on the third Sunday in June), we wanted to showcase these rare historic photos of famous fathers with their kids.

Bing Crosby and Sons

AP Photo

Lindsay Harry, 6, and Dennis Michael, 10, corner their father, Bing Crosby, to purchase War Stamps in a Father’s Day War Bond picture in Los Angeles, California, on June 11, 1945, during a lull in the filming of Rainbow Productions’ “The Bells of St. Mary’s” for RKO Radio.

Joe Louis and Family

John Lindsay / AP Photo

Little Jacqueline Louis and her mother, Marva Trotter, former wife of Joe Louis, pay a Father’s Day visit to the heavyweight champion’s training camp at Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, on June 16, 1946.

What was his Father’s Day present? Jacqueline gave Daddy a tie clasp, featuring golf clubs instead of boxing gloves.

Young Shirley Temple With Her Dad at the Beach

Young Shirley Temple with Dad at the Beach

AP Photo

A 5-year-old Shirley Temple is shown here with her father, George F. Temple, as they enjoy a day at the beach at the Santa Monica Athletic Club in Santa Monica, California, on June 5, 1934.

Actor Robert Young With Family

Frank Filan / AP Photo

Actor Robert Young’s family gets him warmed up for Father’s Day on June 17, 1949.

His wife Betty stands at right.

Walt Disney With His Daughters

AP Photo

Walt Disney’s teenage daughters, Diane, right, and Sharon, talk over a scene with their father, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy.

Danny Thomas with his Daughters and Wife

AP Photo

Danny Thomas, star of the TV show “Make Room For Daddy,” is seen as he receives four Father’s Day ties — all the same — from his wife and children, on June 13, 1955.

Eddie Fisher With Kids

AP Photo

Singer Eddie Fisher, out of the hospital in time for Father’s Day, cuddles his two youngsters 4-month-old Todd, left, and 19-month-old Carrie.

Looking on is their equally famous mother, actress Debbie Reynolds. Eddie spent 10 days in the hospital following an appendix flare-up.

Gerald Ford With Son at Rodea

Lennox McLendon / AP Photo

Former President Gerald Ford tries his hand at handling a rope just given him by his son Steve, right, prior to the start of the Los Angeles Rough Riders rodeo team game in Pomona, California, on June 19, 1978.

Ford, who was invited by his son for Father’s Day, participated by releasing the 600-pound steer his son lassoed in the team roping event. For Ford, it was the first time he’sd watched his son in action at a rodeo. At left is Casey Tibbs, one of the most famous cowboys in rodeo history.

Cal Ripken Sr. with Son Cal Jr.

Harry Harris / AP Photo

Baltimore Orioles pitching coach Cal Ripken Sr., left, gets a Father’s Day greeting from his son, Cal Jr., at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, on June 20, 1982.

Cal Jr. was an infielder with the Orioles.

George Archer With Wife and Daughter

Jack Thornell / AP Photo

While this picture was actually taken on Mother’s Day, it was Father’s Day for golfer George Archer of Gilroy, California, who is leaning over for a kiss from his wife Donna after winning the New Orleans Open by two strokes on May 12, 1968.

Getting caught in the squeeze play is 4-year-old Elizabeth while in daddy’s arms is 2-year-old Marilyn.

National Father’s Day Committee in New York

John Lindsay / AP Photo

In this May 26, 1960, file photo, television personality Art Linkletter, seated, and from back left, actor Sir Cedric Hardwicke, radio broadcaster Bob Elliott, Robert F. Kennedy and Baltimore Colts’ John Unitas, smile during the 25th annual meeting of the National Father’s Day Committee in New York.

Edward Kennedy With His Mother

Marty Lederhandler / AP Photo

Sen. Edward Kennedy, left, sits with his mother, Rose Kennedy, after he was honored as National Father of the Year by the National Fathers Day Committee on Tuesday, May 25, 1976, in New York.

Kennedy is the third of the three famous Kennedy brothers to be honored. President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy won in 1962 and 1960, respectively.

Duke of Kent With his Children

AP Photo

The Duke of Kent is seen walking with his two young children during a visit of the little Prince and Princess to the London zoo on March 2, 1939.

The Dionne Quintuplets With Their Father

Anonymous / AP

The Dionne Quintuplets — famous for being the first-ever quintuplets to survive — are accompanied by their father, Oliva Dionne, right, aboard a New York Staten Island Ferry boat on Oct. 21, 1950.

John F. Kennedy and His Daughter

AP Photo

In this 1962 file photo, President John F. Kennedy and his daughter, Caroline, sail off Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

Caroline Kennedy said in a video released by the JFK Library on May 25, 2017, that she thought about her father and “missed him every day of my life.”