Buford T. Justice

Sheriff Buford T. Justice is the fictional character played by Jackie Gleason in the movies "Smokey and the Bandit" (1977), "Smokey and the Bandit II" (1980) and "Smokey and the Bandit Part 3" (1983). As a foul-mouthed Texas county sheriff, he chases the Bandit, played by Burt Reynolds in the first two movies, across country on several occasions. According to "Smokey and the Bandit II", he has two brothers, Gaylord Justice and Reginald Van Justice, both also played by Jackie Gleason; judging by appearance and voice (as well as name), Reginald Van Justice was based on Reggie Van Gleason III, a character Gleason originated on "The Jackie Gleason Show" many years before. Buford also has a son whom he only calls "Junior", played by Mike Henry.

The sheriff's name suggests that of the real-life and well-known southern lawman of the early 1970s, Buford Pusser. The name was also alleged to have been inspired by the actual name of a lawman that Reynolds knew from Florida.