You know the kid. The one wearing the ridiculous multi-colored vest, holding a plate of half-eaten food, and getting absolutely roasted by Ted Knight. John F. Barmon Jr. basically cemented himself in pop culture history with just a few minutes of screen time. It’s wild because if you grew up in the 80s, his lines are likely burned into your brain.
"You'll get nothing and like it!"
That single bark from Judge Smails—directed at Barmon’s character, the obnoxious grandson Spaulding Smails—is one of the most quoted moments in comedy history. But what’s actually interesting is how little people know about the guy who played him. Most child stars or breakout comedy actors spend the next forty years trying to chase that high. John? He kinda just... walked away.
The Bushwood Legacy Nobody Expected
When Caddyshack hit theaters in 1980, nobody thought it was going to be a "classic." Critics actually hated it. It was messy. The plot was all over the place. Honestly, it was a miracle it even got finished given the legendary amount of partying happening on set.
John F. Barmon Jr. was right in the middle of that chaos. He wasn't a seasoned pro; he was a young guy who landed the role of the ultimate "spoiled rich brat." His performance as Spaulding was perfect because it wasn't over-the-top. He just leaned into that specific brand of country club entitlement. Think about the scene where he’s trying to order at the snack bar or the iconic dinner party where he’s forced to deal with Rodney Dangerfield’s antics. He played the "straight man" to the absurdity around him by being a different kind of absurd.
He held his own against giants.
Rodney Dangerfield.
Bill Murray.
Chevy Chase.
Ted Knight.
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Imagine being a kid on that set. Barmon has mentioned in later interviews that about half the movie was ad-libbed. That means when Ted Knight was screaming at him, it wasn't always a rehearsed line. You had to be quick. You had to stay in character while some of the funniest people on the planet were trying to make you crack.
Life After Spaulding: The Pivot to Real Estate
A lot of people search for John F. Barmon Jr. expecting to find a long IMDB page filled with 80s sitcoms and B-movies. They’re usually shocked. Caddyshack was basically it. He did a documentary or two about the making of the film, but he never caught the "acting bug" in a way that made him want to stay in Hollywood.
Instead, he went back to the real world.
He moved to the Boston area and built a massive career in real estate. For over 20 years, he’s been a fixture at Coldwell Banker in Cambridge. It’s a complete 180 from the "Spaulding" persona. While his character was the epitome of a lazy, entitled kid, the real John Barmon is a high-achiever. He’s a member of the International President’s Circle and has been a top producer for decades.
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He’s basically the guy you call if you want a multi-million dollar condo near Harvard Square, not a guy looking for a "Caddyshack" reboot.
Why He Didn't Do Caddyshack II
Thank goodness he didn't. Most fans agree that the sequel was a disaster. Barmon has been pretty open about the fact that he had no desire to return to the screen. He’s expressed that he "went out on top." Why mess with a perfect legacy?
He’s spent the last two decades as a Senior Sales Associate, co-founding the Greater Boston Property group. It’s a legitimate, heavy-hitting business career. He’s not living off royalty checks from 1980; he’s actually working the local market every single day.
What Most People Get Wrong About Him
The biggest misconception is that he's "hidden" or "missing." People love a "Where are they now?" story where the person is struggling or bitter. That’s not the case here. Barmon is incredibly successful, just in a field that doesn't involve cameras.
Another thing? The "Spaulding" voice. Fans often expect him to still sound like that nasal, whiny teenager. In reality, he’s a professional, well-spoken Bostonian who probably knows more about local zoning laws than golf course etiquette.
- He's a Harvard Square Expert: If you're looking for property in Cambridge, he's one of the most respected names.
- He Embraces the Past: He doesn't hide from his Caddyshack roots. He’s done podcasts like the Monday Morning Critic to talk about the old days.
- He’s a Partner: He runs his real estate business with Peter Cote, covering a huge territory in the Greater Boston area.
The Spaulding Smails Impact on Pop Culture
You’ve seen the memes. You’ve seen the GIFs of him swinging a golf club with terrible form. Even though he’s not "famous" in the modern influencer sense, his face is recognizable to millions.
There's something uniquely "human" about his story. He had a moment of massive fame, realized it wasn't his life's passion, and chose a different path. It's refreshing. In a world where everyone wants to be famous for nothing, he's a guy who was famous for something iconic and chose to be a professional instead.
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Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Researchers
If you're looking into John F. Barmon Jr. for professional reasons or just out of curiosity, here is what you need to know:
- Don't look for him on Screen: Aside from the 1980 classic and some "making of" specials, his career is entirely in real estate.
- Real Estate Inquiries: He is currently active at the Coldwell Banker Realty office at 1000 Massachusetts Ave in Cambridge. He handles everything from residential sales to consulting on home staging.
- The "Spaulding" Lines: Yes, he knows you love them. No, he probably doesn't want to recite them while he's showing you a house.
If you’re researching the history of Caddyshack, look for his interviews where he discusses the improvisation on set. It gives a lot of insight into how Harold Ramis (the director) actually managed that circus. Barmon’s perspective is unique because he was one of the few "outsiders" who wasn't part of the SNL or Second City comedy troupes at the time.
To see what John is up to today, you can look up the Greater Boston Property team. It’s the best way to see the transition from 80s icon to modern business leader in real time.