The Fast Times at Ridgemont High character Jeff Spicoli is an iconic part of 80s culture. He was the first real embodiment of the surfer dude character type to appear on the big screen.

The screenwriter for the film -Cameron Crowe- actually went undercover at a high school in San Diego and specifically based the character on a few students at the school he was using for inspiration.

What is it exactly about the beach-blonde character in Fast Times at Ridgemont High that has become so iconic for fans of 80s cinema? Read more to find out what we have gathered up on the character, the making of the character, and how Sean Penn's take on it made Spicoli a quotable and memorable part of 80s movie culture.