On August 15, Ben Affleck celebrated his 51st birthday. The Hollywood star, a two-time Oscar winner, is renowned for his extensive career and memorable movie roles. Beyond his work, Affleck’s personal life has often made headlines, but for many, he’s just as famous for unintentionally becoming a meme icon.

It all started in 2016 with a now-iconic photo of Affleck smoking on his 44th birthday, looking reflective. Headlines followed, dubbing it: *“Ben Affleck sadly smokes and contemplates the frailty of existence.”*

Later, he was spotted disheveled at a doctor’s visit and leaving church looking pensive, both moments quickly fueling online jokes.

Then came the “Sleeping Ben” meme, sparked by a photo of him yawning at JFK airport after a long flight. Soon, images of a tired-looking Affleck—from school pickups to coffee breaks—flooded the internet.

A famous one shows him picking up Dunkin’ Donuts deliveries on New Year’s Eve, shouting sarcastically at paparazzi: *“Happy New Year, you reporters!”*

In 2020, following a breakup with Ana de Armas, his candid shots only gained more traction. Even after reuniting with Jennifer Lopez, photos from their honeymoon—like Affleck napping on a yacht—kept fans entertained.

Perhaps his most iconic meme came during a *Batman v Superman* interview, where Affleck’s silent, somber reaction to a question inspired the viral “Sad Affleck” video. Through it all, Ben has remained an internet legend, unintentionally gifting fans endless laughs.