''Daddy'', also known as ''Danielle Steel's Daddy'', is a 1991 American

made-for-television A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made fo ...

romantic drama film directed by Michael Miller. The film is based upon the 1989 novel ''

Daddy A father is the male parent of a child. Besides the paternal bonds of a father to his children, the father may have a parental, legal, and social relationship with the child that carries with it certain rights and obligations. An adoptive fathe ...

'' written by Danielle Steel.

Plot

Oliver Watson has never been luckier: he is a successful advertising executive, shares a marriage of twenty years with Sarah, and has three loving kids: 18-year-old Ben, 16-year-old Melissa, and 10-year-old Sam. His perfect life suddenly falls apart when his wife Sarah announces that she wants to enter a

graduate school Postgraduate or graduate education refers to academic or professional degrees, certificates, diplomas, or other qualifications pursued by post-secondary students who have earned an undergraduate ( bachelor's) degree. The organization and stru ...

200 miles away from home, as she regrets that she gave up her bohemian protester's life and promising writing career to become the wife of a conservative traditionalist. A devastated Oliver tries to prevent her from going and even offers to move with her, but Sarah has made up her mind: she will enroll in college and does not want any company. The children are just as displeased when they find out about their mother's decision, for which Ben and Melissa hold their father responsible. They start acting out as a reaction, which mostly affects Ben. Instead of attending classes and getting good grades, he spends most of his time with promiscuous teenager Bobbi Carver, who becomes pregnant. Meanwhile, Oliver unsuccessfully tries to save his marriage, until Sarah admits that she is seeing someone else. Meanwhile, his mother's health is worsening, and after months of being kept alive through machines, his father George decides to pull the plug. At the funeral, Sarah shows up to reveal her plans on filing for divorce. Feeling that his life has no purpose there anymore, Oliver accepts a job in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...

. Melissa and Sam move with him, but Ben stays behind with Bobbi and their newly-born son Alexander. In California, Oliver falls in love with Charlotte Sampson, a successful actress in a popular TV series who dreams of a Broadway career. After a short romance, during which she connects with his children, they become engaged. However, when she is offered a role on Broadway, Oliver fears the past is repeating. Rather than seeing his partner slip away due to a long distance relationship, he breaks off their engagement. Meanwhile, Bobbi suddenly leaves Ben, taking Alexander with her. Desperate, Ben turns to Oliver, and together they fight successfully for full custody. Afterwards, Ben visits Charlotte, and finds out that she has rejected the Broadway role. Although she is still mad at Oliver for cutting her out of his life, she accepts Ben's invitation to Alexander's christening, and when she and Oliver meet, they reconcile.

Cast

Patrick Duffy Patrick Duffy (born March 17, 1949) is an American actor and director widely known for his role on the CBS primetime soap opera ''Dallas'', where he played Bobby Ewing, the youngest son of Miss Ellie, and the nicest brother of J.R. Ewing (pla ...

as Oliver Watson *

Lynda Carter Lynda Jean Cordova Carter (born July 24, 1951) is an American actress, singer, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss World USA 1972 and finished in the top 15 at the Miss World 1972 pageant. Carter is best known as the star of th ...

as Charlotte Sampson *

Kate Mulgrew Katherine Kiernan Maria Mulgrew (born April 29, 1955) is an American actress and author. She is best known for her roles as Captain Kathryn Janeway on '' Star Trek: Voyager'' and Red on ''Orange Is the New Black''. She first came to attention ...

as Sarah Watson * John Anderson as George Watson *

Ben Affleck Benjamin Géza Affleck (born August 15, 1972) is an American actor and filmmaker. His accolades include two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards and a Volpi Cup. Affleck began his career as a child when he starred in the PBS education ...

as Benjamin 'Ben' Watson *

Jenny Lewis Jennifer Diane Lewis (born January 8, 1976) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actress. She was the lead singer, rhythm guitarist and keyboardist for the indie rock band Rilo Kiley. Lewis gained prominence in the 1980s as a child a ...

as Melissa Watson *

Matthew Lawrence Matthew William Lawrence (born February 11, 1980) is an American actor and singer, known for his roles in ''Mrs. Doubtfire'' and ''Boy Meets World''. Lawrence also starred in the series '' Brotherly Love'' with his real-life brothers Joey and An ...

as Sam Watson *Robyn Peterson as Daphne Hutchinson * Richard McKenzie as Jeremy Bosworth *Georgia Emelin as Bobbi Carver * Peter Hansen as Doctor

References

External links

* {{Danielle Steel 1991 films 1991 television films Films scored by Dennis McCarthy Films about actors Films about dysfunctional families Films based on American novels Films set in Los Angeles Films based on works by Danielle Steel NBC Productions films NBC network original films Films directed by Michael Miller (director)