You know that feeling when you're watching a classic movie and one specific character just sticks in your brain? For anyone who has seen Caddyshack, that person is often John F. Barmon Jr. He played the quintessential "spoiled rich kid" Spaulding Smails. Honestly, he was perfect in the role. The vomit scenes, the "you'll get nothing and like it" lines from Judge Smails—it all created this hilarious, cringe-inducing portrait of prep-school privilege.
But here is the thing: most people have no idea what actually happened to him after the credits rolled in 1980. Did he keep acting? Did he disappear into some private country club life? The truth is actually much more grounded and, frankly, more successful than most Hollywood "where are they now" stories.
Who is John F. Barmon Jr. really?
If you were expecting him to be a lifelong actor with a long IMDB page, you're going to be disappointed. John F. Barmon Jr. basically looked at Hollywood, did one of the most iconic comedies of all time, and then just... walked away. It wasn't because he couldn't get work. He just had other plans.
He didn't stick around for the train wreck that was Caddyshack II. Good choice, right? Instead, he pivoted toward a career that requires a different kind of performance: high-stakes real estate.
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For over 25 years, Barmon has been a fixture in the Massachusetts property market. We aren't talking about some part-time hobby, either. He's a Senior Sales Associate at Coldwell Banker Realty in Cambridge. It’s a bit ironic if you think about it. The guy who played the grandson of a stuffy judge who obsessed over property lines and country club prestige ended up becoming a powerhouse in the actual Boston-area real estate scene.
The Spaulding Smails Legacy
People still quote him. Constanty. Even though he only had a handful of lines, Spaulding Smails became a cultural shorthand for a specific kind of entitled kid.
- The "Hui Polloi" moment: Watching him try to act sophisticated while being completely oblivious is still peak comedy.
- The Food Stand Scene: "I want a hamburger. No, I want a cheeseburger." We've all been that hungry, but he made it look like a life-or-death crisis.
- The Aftermath: Barmon has mentioned in interviews that making the movie wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. It was hard work, and the improvisation—which made up about 50% of the film—was intense.
Interestingly, Barmon has stayed pretty humble about the whole thing. He acknowledges the cult following, but he doesn't let it define him. He isn't out there hitting the convention circuit every weekend. He's usually busy closing deals in Cambridge or Somerville.
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Life After Bushwood: The Real Estate Pivot
Transitioning from a cult movie star to a top-tier real estate agent isn't a common path. Most people try to cling to the fame. John Barmon Jr. went the other way. He leaned into the "real world" and built a reputation for honesty and integrity in a field that can sometimes feel a bit "Judge Smails-ish."
He co-founded The Greater Boston Property Team with Peter Cote. They cover a massive territory. If you’re looking for a house in the Boston suburbs, there’s a decent chance his name will pop up.
He's won a ton of awards, too.
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- International President’s Circle
- Diamond Circle Award
- International Sterling Society
It’s a long list of accolades that basically says he knows how to sell a house. He’s lived in the Boston area for a long time, which gives him that "local expert" edge you just can't fake.
Why He Still Matters Today
In a world where everyone is trying to be "famous for being famous," Barmon is a bit of an anomaly. He had the fame, he did the work, and then he chose a different kind of success.
There’s something kinda refreshing about that. You don't have to stay in the box people put you in when you're twenty. You can be the kid who puked through a sunroof in a movie and the guy people trust with their biggest financial investment.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Professionals
If you're looking to connect with his work or follow a similar path of reinvention, here is what you should keep in mind:
- Own your past but don't live in it: Barmon acknowledges his Caddyshack roots without letting them overshadow his professional identity. That's a lesson in personal branding.
- Focus on local expertise: If you’re in the Boston real estate market, look for agents with 20+ years of local history. The nuances of neighborhoods like Cambridge or Somerville are hard to learn from an app.
- Value of a "Pivot": Don't be afraid to change careers entirely. Skills like communication and handling high-pressure situations (like a movie set) translate surprisingly well to sales and negotiation.
Whether you know him as Spaulding or as your local real estate guy, John F. Barmon Jr. has managed to build a legacy that is both funny and impressively serious. He's proof that you can get "nothing and like it," or you can go out and build something for yourself. He chose the latter.