On August 15, Ben Affleck celebrated his 51st birthday, marking another year in the life of the Hollywood star known for his extensive career and two Academy Awards. While his filmography is impressive, Affleck has also become an accidental meme icon, thanks to a series of moments that have captured the internet’s attention.
The meme phenomenon began in 2016 with a now-famous photo of Affleck smoking on his 44th birthday, looking contemplative. This image sparked headlines like “Ben Affleck sadly smokes and contemplates the frailty of existence.” Following that, Affleck was spotted in disheveled states at a doctor’s appointment and leaving church, which only fueled more online humor.
Then came the “Sleeping Ben” meme, which began after a photo of Affleck yawning at JFK airport went viral. Soon, images of a weary-looking Affleck—from school pickups to coffee breaks—started flooding the internet. One particularly famous shot captured him sarcastically shouting at paparazzi while picking up Dunkin’ Donuts deliveries on New Year’s Eve: “Happy New Year, you reporters!”
In 2020, after his breakup with Ana de Armas, candid photos of him gained even more traction. His reunion with Jennifer Lopez further fueled the meme cycle, with pictures of them from their honeymoon, such as Affleck napping on a yacht, providing more material for internet users.
However, perhaps his most iconic meme moment came during an interview for Batman v Superman, where Affleck’s silent, somber reaction to a question led to the viral “Sad Affleck” video. Through it all, Ben Affleck has remained an internet legend, unintentionally providing endless laughs and becoming a cultural touchstone in the process.
