Judge Smails

Fictional Ninny

Judge Elihu Smails is the comical bad guy in the 1980 comedy Caddyshack. Played by actor Ted Knight, Smails is a pompous snob with a fondness for white pants and yachting caps. As the tyrannical president of the local country club, he tangles with crude newcomer Al Czervik (played by Rodney Dangerfield) and golf whiz Ty Webb (played by Chevy Chase). The movie remains a cult favorite with sports fans, and the judge's lucky putter, which he calls Billy Baroo, has become a pop culture in-joke of its own.

Other big- and small-screen characters of the same era: Daisy Duke, The Incredible Hulk and Darth Vader.