1. Nicolas Cage
He was once the ultimate eccentric Oscar-winning actor, delivering thunderous intensity in films like Leaving Las Vegas and Face/Off. Now? He’s everywhere in meme culture—from dramatic close-ups to absurd Photoshop jobs, he’s lovingly derided. His facial expressions are iconic: wide eyes, contorted mouth, machine-gun laughter—it’s gold for meme makers. You can still catch him starring in actual movies, but his meme legacy often overshadows new work.
When someone slaps a Nicolas Cage face on a budget action poster, it’s always hilarious—and usually cuts deeper than the film it’s mocking. That reflects how his persona has become bigger than any one movie: it’s the idea of him we’re riffing on. Whether you love the guy or think his roles are self-parody, those memes stick. It’s a weird kind of immortality—still alive, still acting, but forever frozen in cultured chaos.
2. Bill Murray
Back in the day, he was the dead-pan genius leading Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, and countless Saturday Night Live skits. Today, Bill Murray memes often capture his laid-back spirit—like the “I’m gonna go do my own thing” vibe, famously from the Groundhog Day behind-the-scenes quote. That absurd-cool persona is distilled in memes where he’s just strolling rather than stressing. You can Google the movie clips to confirm he’s still that salmon-throwing, door-crashing dad everyone loves.
His legend lives on in the image of him photobombing prom pictures or offering wisdom to strangers on the street—just being Bill. These meme tropes turned Murray into the benevolent internet grandfather, almost a mythic presence. He’s still acting, but we also treat him as a mythical force of serenity and mischief. It’s charming, human, and built entirely from real-life stories.
3. Keanu Reeves
Keanu was once known for being the action superstar in Speed and The Matrix. These days, we praise “Sad Keanu” or “Existential Keanu,” pointing out how he looks contemplative or downcast sitting on a park bench. The memes humanize him—they’re less about his blockbuster status and more about his genuine humility. His reputation as a kind, humble guy is real—plenty of interviews and stories back it up.
That meme of him munching on a sandwich (captured candidly) turned him into everyone’s adorably pensive buddy. It highlights how real his off-screen persona is, rather than some PR constructed persona. So even though he’s still starring in big films, most of us think of him as that sweet, quietly suffering, relatable human. That contrast between action hero and existential snack-eater makes the meme.
4. Lindsay Lohan
In the 2000s, she was everywhere—Disney Princess-turned-rebel in Mean Girls and Freaky Friday. Now, she’s largely a meme, the archetype of “where did it all go wrong,” used to express mid-life melt-downs or comeback attempts seen through a nostalgic age-filter. Her tabloid-heavy trajectory made her iconic, then cautionary, then a punchline—now it’s a meme. But she’s still acting and starting fresh, which makes the memes bittersweet.
Using her mug-shot or red carpet flash, meme-makers capture the intensity of meteoric fame and public fall. It’s not always kind, but undeniably memorable. Still, sometimes the memes are even self-aware or sympathetic. In that, Lohan remains relevant—albeit in pixels and irony rather than People magazine covers.
5. Susan Boyle
She unexpectedly stunned the world on Britain’s Got Talent with “I Dreamed a Dream” and became an overnight sensation. Now, memes use her as shorthand for “unexpectedly amazing” or “don’t judge a book by its cover.” We all know that voice-over-camera moment—it’s meme material because it’s raw and joy-packed. You can find her performances online easily—you’ll see how that TLC transform-your-astounding moment is real.
That meme origin story is uplifting—one poor-looking lady walks in and freezes the room with her voice. It still gives people goosebumps when they think of it. Memes amplify that feeling, turning her into a symbol of surprise greatness. And despite the meme-ification, she still tours and performs—memes haven’t erased her musical talent.
6. Milli Vanilli (Rob Pilatus & Fab Morvan)
Once pop icons, Rob and Fab won a Grammy for “Girl You Know It’s True”—until it was revealed they didn’t sing on the record. Their Grammy was revoked in a massive scandal that redefined lip-syncing. Now, they’re a meme: the embodiment of being “caught faking it” in spectacular fashion. It’s easy to fact-check via music history.
Now, when someone fakes anything—even just minor exaggeration—folks crack jokes referencing “Milli Vanilli.” The meme endures because they were high-profile, successful, then unforgettable for the wrong reason. It’s a cultural shorthand for ultimate fraud. And while their actual music and lives faded, the joke lives on in internet shorthand.
7. Carole Baskin
Once a local big cat rescue celebrity featured on The Howard Stern Show, she became a household name after Tiger King in 2020. Now, memes about her feed into the absurd conspiracy that she “fed her husband to the tigers.” It’s memes as urban legend; wild and unverified, but wildly popular. The show footage and interviews confirm she’s very much alive and defends herself—so it’s grounded in real eccentricity.
She reminds us how meme culture thrives on bizarre rumor and skepticism. Carole’s stoic expressions and gatekeeping of big cats make for perfect meme fodder. The exaggeration—“Did she or didn’t she?”—just fuels the internet. So although she’s not an A-list celebrity, the memes turned her into an odd kind of national icon.
8. Ted Nugent
He was once the guitarist-turned-political firebrand known for outrageous outfits and ’70s rock hits. Today, Ted Nugent is mostly referenced in memes mocking over-the-top patriotism and gun-culture cringe. The memes highlight his wild statements and unapologetic swagger. Documentaries and interviews from decades back back this up—it’s not fictional.
Whether you strongly agree or vehemently disagree with him, Nugent’s extremes make him meme-perfect. He’s a caricature of radical Americana. The memes distill that caricature into simple punchlines. Yet behind each joke is a man with a long career, not just a one-off meme face.
9. Macaulay Culkin
The kid star of Home Alone and My Girl, he was one of the most famous children on the planet. Now, memes use his cheeky childhood grin—or photos of him holding a pizza—to riff on juxtaposing childhood fame and adult vibe-shifts. Those images of him holding a slice while looking blasé are everywhere. You can check his recent interviews and see he’s very much alive and existentially slicing pizza.
It’s funny and oddly introspective—kid-star meets mid-30s chill. He even leans into it; memes reflect his own willingness to laugh at himself. His evolution—from super-cute kid to meme-wise adult—makes him uniquely meme-resilient. It’s more of a wink than a dig, and he’s evidently in on the joke.
10. William Shatner
Captain Kirk once led humanity’s final frontier on Star Trek and grew into a TV icon. Now, meme culture loves “Shatner laugh” or “Captain Kirk reacting,” especially those earnest, exaggerated takes. That signature delivery is meme-fertile ground—overt, theatrical, unmistakable. His appearances on social media and in convention panels show he still leans into the campy charm.
Using his face for disbelief, triumph, or awkward cheeriness, memes make him a permanent face of pop-culture kitsch. You’ll still see him on talk shows or performing Shakespeare—so it’s not forgotten. The memes just highlight how delightfully over-the-top he can be. He went from sci-fi legend to meme grandpa, and remains game for both.
11. Martha Stewart
Once the queen of domestic elegance and cooking, she crafted a brand around lifestyle perfection. After a prison sentence—and then a triumphant return—she became meme-worthy for her poised but knowing stare, used to convey “I’m watching you” sass. The memes freeze that glare; it’s infamous and instantly hilarious. Her books, shows, and media presence confirm it’s her real-life vibe.
When someone posts their mediocre brownies and Martha’s supercut gaze appears, the joke’s in the contrast. Domestic goddess becomes judge from the pantry. The meme plays off the public knows she’s legit. She remains a powerhouse—memes just layer added spice on her legacy.
12. Rick Astley
Back in the ’80s, he gave us Never Gonna Give You Up, the ultimate pop hit. Today, Rickrolling is one of the most enduring internet pranks—surprise! You’re being rickrolled—with his face beamed across episodes or ads. The meme still works because his song’s so catchy—and that twist is eternally funny. You can listen to the track yourself and see why it stuck.
He’s meme-immortal—years later, nerds and normies alike laugh because it’s a shared internet in-joke. The memes helped boost his later career; he leaned into it by performing in surprise reunion shows. It’s a full cycle: 1980s icon → meme → meme-inspired renaissance. And yep, the man still performs with a smile about it.
13. Shaquille O’Neal
The NBA legend was known for dominance on the basketball court and easygoing charm off it. Now, memes show him as “Shaq holding random tiny things” or “Shaq next to a midget car,” exaggerating his size with silly props or photoshops. It’s playful and physically obvious—no insult intended. His height and personality make him prime meme material.
Whether he’s towering over a Goodyear Blimp or holding a ketchup bottle the size of his palm, it’s always hilarious. He’s still working—DJing, podcasting, doing commercials—so the meme exists alongside a full, ongoing career. He’s both living legend and lovable punchline. That’s the sweet spot of meme immortality.
This post 13 Celebrities Who Were Once National Icons and Now Only Exist in Memes was first published on American Charm.
