Jeff Spicoli
Encyclopedia
Jeff Spicoli is a fictional character in Fast Times at Ridgemont High
, where he was played by Sean Penn
. While he is a freshman in the book, he is a senior in the film (however, when he says to Mr. Hand, "I'm not coming near your side of the building next year," it can be assumed he's a junior - or a senior who will surely fail and have to repeat). Spicoli is a surfer dude with no job who enjoys smoking marijuana.
One of the first times the viewer sees Spicoli in the movie, he is late for Mr. Hand's U.S. History class. According to one of his classmates, he has been "stoned since the third grade." Throughout the film, Spicoli serves as the comic relief
, usually opposite Mr. Hand in a series of amusing sketches. He was also late when he stayed in the food lines to get a bagel. When Mr. Hand asked him why he continually wastes his time, Jeff's response was "I don't know." Mr. Hand then wrote those words on the board for all of his classes to see, with Spicoli seemingly appreciating the recognition.
He is always short of money and does not have a job. When Brad Hamilton asks him why he doesn't have a job, Spicoli answers, "All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, an' I'm fine." He purportedly received a guitar pick from Mick Jagger
, whom he claims to have met after a Rolling Stones concert in Anaheim, California
. His closest pals are two unnamed surfer dudes played by Eric Stoltz
and Anthony Edwards
. He is also friends with Ridgemont High's star football player Charles Jefferson's little brother, having played video games with him at the mall. When they were driving Charles' car to a party, Jeff crashed the car and wrecked it. They made it look as if a rival school, Lincoln High, had done it. Jeff's little brother, Curtis, thinks that he is stupid. He also owns a pair of turquoise colored Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses, which he wears occasionally in Mr. Hand's class.
On the day of the prom, Mr. Hand shows up at Spicoli's house and tutors him as payback for having wasted 8 hours of his time during the school year. After the tutoring session, Jeff wonders if there's a kid like him in Mr. Hand's class every year. He also wonders if he'll pass U.S. History. Mr. Hand tells him not to worry and that he'll probably "squeak by."
At the end of the movie, it is revealed that at some point in the future he saved Brooke Shields
from drowning, and was rewarded with a large amount of money. He then blew it all by hiring Van Halen
to play at his birthday party.
Another omission is a sequence where Spicoli gives a speech in class. He describes how Mick Jagger gave him the necklace he was wearing after they did coke together. The class, assigned to grade him, gives him a D. Also, the dean of discipline pulls a gun on Spicoli when he mistakes his bong
for a shotgun. This causes the dean to be sued and fired. While attending a school talent show, Spicoli plays a loud beeping handheld football game during the acts that bore him.
Jeff Spicoli is a main character in the 1986 TV spinoff, Fast Times
, where he is portrayed by Dean Cameron
. The show makes references to his truancy when he shows up to Mr. Hand's class one period late. One day, he surprises Mr. Hand when he shows up early to class due to a "gnarly shark attack". His lack of money is also referenced when he tries to pay for a pizza where Linda and Stacy work (he takes some change and his brother's tooth out of his pocket).
Jeff Spicoli is the center of certain plots throughout the show's short run. In the pilot episode, Mr. Hand bets that Spicoli will screw up his class presentation. In the episode "The Last Laugh", Spicoli accepts a challenge to make Mr. Hand laugh. In "The Engagement", he starts a rumour that Mr. Hand lost an eye during World War II
.
Since the TV spinoff is toned down for younger viewers, there is no reference to Jeff Spicoli's drug usage.
Detroit Punk group, The Suicide Machines, reference Jeff in "Van's Song" from their 1996 album "Destruction By Definition".
UK spoken word rapper Scroobius Pip refers to this character in his 2008 collaboration with Dan Le Sac, Rappers Battle as follows: "Sean Penn could win 10 Oscars but he'll still be Spicoli." Probably inferring that this is the role Penn will always be remembered for.
In the show Gilmore Girls in Season 3 Episode 7,"They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They?" Paris refers to Madeline as 'Spicoli'
Madline: [on discussing the 75th issue of The Franklin] But you guys already have some decent stuff planned out, right?
Paris: Madeline - or may I call you Spicoli?
Madline: If you have to.
In the song "Puerto Rican Cousins" by the hip hop group Das Racist, rapper Heems ends a verse by yelling "Holy spicoli Batman, I'm Sean Penn!"
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a 1982 American coming-of-age teen comedy film written by Cameron Crowe and adapted from his 1981 book of the same name...
, where he was played by Sean Penn
Sean Penn
Sean Justin Penn is an American actor, screenwriter and film director, also known for his political and social activism...
. While he is a freshman in the book, he is a senior in the film (however, when he says to Mr. Hand, "I'm not coming near your side of the building next year," it can be assumed he's a junior - or a senior who will surely fail and have to repeat). Spicoli is a surfer dude with no job who enjoys smoking marijuana.
One of the first times the viewer sees Spicoli in the movie, he is late for Mr. Hand's U.S. History class. According to one of his classmates, he has been "stoned since the third grade." Throughout the film, Spicoli serves as the comic relief
Comic relief
Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character, scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension.-Definition:...
, usually opposite Mr. Hand in a series of amusing sketches. He was also late when he stayed in the food lines to get a bagel. When Mr. Hand asked him why he continually wastes his time, Jeff's response was "I don't know." Mr. Hand then wrote those words on the board for all of his classes to see, with Spicoli seemingly appreciating the recognition.
He is always short of money and does not have a job. When Brad Hamilton asks him why he doesn't have a job, Spicoli answers, "All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, an' I'm fine." He purportedly received a guitar pick from Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
, whom he claims to have met after a Rolling Stones concert in Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
. His closest pals are two unnamed surfer dudes played by Eric Stoltz
Eric Stoltz
Eric Hamilton Stoltz is an American actor, director and producer. He is widely known for playing the role of Rocky Dennis in the biographical drama film Mask, which earned him the nomination for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture...
and Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards
Anthony Charles Edwards is an American actor and director. He has appeared in various movies and television shows, including Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Top Gun, Zodiac, Revenge of the Nerds, Northern Exposure and ER.-Early life:Edwards was born in Santa Barbara, California, the son of Erika...
. He is also friends with Ridgemont High's star football player Charles Jefferson's little brother, having played video games with him at the mall. When they were driving Charles' car to a party, Jeff crashed the car and wrecked it. They made it look as if a rival school, Lincoln High, had done it. Jeff's little brother, Curtis, thinks that he is stupid. He also owns a pair of turquoise colored Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses, which he wears occasionally in Mr. Hand's class.
On the day of the prom, Mr. Hand shows up at Spicoli's house and tutors him as payback for having wasted 8 hours of his time during the school year. After the tutoring session, Jeff wonders if there's a kid like him in Mr. Hand's class every year. He also wonders if he'll pass U.S. History. Mr. Hand tells him not to worry and that he'll probably "squeak by."
At the end of the movie, it is revealed that at some point in the future he saved Brooke Shields
Brooke Shields
Brooke Christa Shields is an American actress and model. Some of her better-known movies include Pretty Baby and The Blue Lagoon, as well as TV shows such as Suddenly Susan, That '70s Show and Lipstick Jungle....
from drowning, and was rewarded with a large amount of money. He then blew it all by hiring Van Halen
Van Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
to play at his birthday party.
Outtakes and TV Spinoff
The movie omitted a few events involving Spicoli that take place in the book: A student named Louis Crowely loses his father and sister in a car crash. The next day, Spicoli walks into his journalism class and shows everyone a newspaper that has photos of the car crash ("Look at these bitchin' photos of the crash"), causing Louis to sob. It would be another month before anyone spoke to him again.Another omission is a sequence where Spicoli gives a speech in class. He describes how Mick Jagger gave him the necklace he was wearing after they did coke together. The class, assigned to grade him, gives him a D. Also, the dean of discipline pulls a gun on Spicoli when he mistakes his bong
Bong
A bong is a filtration device/apparatus generally used for smoking cannabis, tobacco,or other herbal substances.In construction and function a bong is similar to a hookah, except smaller and more portable...
for a shotgun. This causes the dean to be sued and fired. While attending a school talent show, Spicoli plays a loud beeping handheld football game during the acts that bore him.
Jeff Spicoli is a main character in the 1986 TV spinoff, Fast Times
Fast Times
Fast Times is a seven-episode 1986 television sequel to the 1982 movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High that was produced by Amy Heckerling, who directed the original film. Cameron Crowe, who penned the original Fast Times novel and film screenplay, served as creative consultant. Moon Unit Zappa...
, where he is portrayed by Dean Cameron
Dean Cameron
Dean Cameron is an American television and film actor. He is best known for his role as Francis "Chainsaw" Gremp in the 1987 Mark Harmon comedy Summer School....
. The show makes references to his truancy when he shows up to Mr. Hand's class one period late. One day, he surprises Mr. Hand when he shows up early to class due to a "gnarly shark attack". His lack of money is also referenced when he tries to pay for a pizza where Linda and Stacy work (he takes some change and his brother's tooth out of his pocket).
Jeff Spicoli is the center of certain plots throughout the show's short run. In the pilot episode, Mr. Hand bets that Spicoli will screw up his class presentation. In the episode "The Last Laugh", Spicoli accepts a challenge to make Mr. Hand laugh. In "The Engagement", he starts a rumour that Mr. Hand lost an eye during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Since the TV spinoff is toned down for younger viewers, there is no reference to Jeff Spicoli's drug usage.
Cultural References
New Orleans rapper Curren$y refers to himself as "Spitta Spicoli" on his 2008 mixtape Fast Times at Ridgemont Fly. Like Jeff Spicoli, Curren$y is known for his frequent marijuana usage.Detroit Punk group, The Suicide Machines, reference Jeff in "Van's Song" from their 1996 album "Destruction By Definition".
UK spoken word rapper Scroobius Pip refers to this character in his 2008 collaboration with Dan Le Sac, Rappers Battle as follows: "Sean Penn could win 10 Oscars but he'll still be Spicoli." Probably inferring that this is the role Penn will always be remembered for.
In the show Gilmore Girls in Season 3 Episode 7,"They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They?" Paris refers to Madeline as 'Spicoli'
Madline: [on discussing the 75th issue of The Franklin] But you guys already have some decent stuff planned out, right?
Paris: Madeline - or may I call you Spicoli?
Madline: If you have to.
In the song "Puerto Rican Cousins" by the hip hop group Das Racist, rapper Heems ends a verse by yelling "Holy spicoli Batman, I'm Sean Penn!"