No matter how many Oscars Sean Penn wins or roles he plays, he will most be remembered for one of his earliest roles. Nothing can compare to the greatness of Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High!
Yesterday, when the actor was on Conan, O’Brien wanted to know if based the stoner surfer on anyone in particular. He did.
After reading Cameron Crowe’s book, which the film is based on, he immediately thought of someone that was “rhythmically aligned with that character.” That guy was one of the first people he met when he moved to Malibu in 1969.
The TBS host then wanted to know if this guy knew that the ultimate ’80s dude was based on him. Penn said, “I really don’t think so, but part of that, may have had to do, with him, not knowing where he was.”
Now that we have a better image of the man that Penn knew from the time he was 9-17, has he ever seen him since their memorable time, to only one them, on the beach surfing? About 2 months ago, Penn was riding the waves and he ran into a well-spoken family man. Penn couldn’t place him until he told him his name. This businessman was the same man that was the inspiration for Jeff Spicoli.
Which is kind of interesting if you think about it. Penn is more like Spicoli today than the guy who he based the part on. Whoa. Mr. Hand would be so blown away by that.
BTW I am totally watching Fast Times again because of this interview. To me, this is the greatest coming of age movie from the ’80s. Sorry John Hughes, but it is.
