<Li> Michael "Big Mike" Heck Sr. (John Cullum, introduced in Season 1) is Mike's reclusive, man - of - few - words father, who is a widower . He appears to be an unloving, uncaring parent, but this is primarily because he simply does not want to be a "bother" for either of his sons . He is also depicted as a hoarder . In Season 6, Big Mike and Axl fixed the Hecks' kitchen sink, which was a rare bonding experience for the two of them . In Season 8 it is revealed that he sent Mike Jr. to school the day after his mother died, not allowing him time to grieve . </Li> <Li> Orville "Rusty" Heck (Norm Macdonald, introduced in Season 2) is Mike's unreliable, silly brother . He often makes up excuses why he can't be anywhere or do anything Mike asks him to do . He once took Brick out of school to bowl and to teach him how to drive, even though he was not old enough or ready . It is revealed in the season 3 finale that his real first name is Orville . In the season 3 finale the Hecks get an invitation to his wedding but it says the wedding is happening at their house . Rusty marries a woman called Marlene, but in season 5 when Marlene invites herself to Thanksgiving at the Hecks' house, Rusty tells them that they got a divorce because she slept with his best friend . Rusty appears later in season 5 and is homeless (again). He ends up moving in with the Hecks, and accompanies Mike and Brick to Brick's spelling bee in Chicago, where Rusty makes a deal with Brick to lose, allowing Rusty to win some money on a bet he made . In Season 7, Rusty comes up with a business idea that Mike shockingly thinks might work, and the two start a side business together . </Li> <Li> Pat Spence (Marsha Mason, introduced in Season 1) is Frankie's mother . Pat appeared at least once in all of the first seven seasons . Her first appearance was in season 1 episode 22 ("Mother's Day"). Her latest appearance was in the season 9 episode "The Setup". </Li> <Li> Tag Spence (Jerry Van Dyke, introduced in Season 2) is Frankie's father . Tag is a schmoozer and always talks to Mike endlessly, which Mike finds very uncomfortable and annoying . In season 4 Tag calls Mike to meet up at a Stuckey's restaurant, to have man - to - man chats every Sunday . After a couple of meetings, Mike decides he just can't possibly stand to do it any longer, so he suggests that Tag should try chatting with people on Facebook . Tag's latest appearance was in season 6, episode 21 ("Two of a Kind"). The episode reveals a longstanding feud between Tag and his brother Dutch (played by Jerry Van Dyke's real - life brother Dick Van Dyke), which is mostly fueled by Tag's jealousy, and Mike and Frankie end up trying to resolve it . </Li>

Who plays frankie heck's mom on the middle