Ben Affleck has become the center of internet buzz once more, as a new photo of him smoking outside Hollywood’s Sunset Tower Hotel circulated widely. Captured on Monday night, the actor appeared relaxed in a three-piece suit with his shirt partially unbuttoned, taking a cigarette break that quickly reignited interest in the now-famous Ben Affleck smoking meme.
Details Behind the Latest Viral Image
The candid photograph shows Affleck standing outside the well-known Los Angeles venue, seemingly lost in thought. At one point, he tilted his head back and smoked a cigarette held between his lips without using his hands, while friends gathered nearby. This image stirred quick comparisons to the “Sad Affleck” meme, which first gained traction when the actor’s tired, contemplative smoking photos were shared years ago.
Ben Affleck was spotted outside the Sunset Tower Hotel, recreating his viral cigarette-smoking meme while surrounded by friends in Los Angeles.?: SPOT / @backgrid_usaFor licensing inquiries, please email us at [email protected]#backgrid pic.twitter.com/1TjEKAfnXI— backgridus (@BackgridUS) November 11, 2025
The History and Impact of Affleck’s Iconic Smoking Images
Affleck’s smoking has drawn attention since 2016, when a photo showing him smoking looked particularly weary and became the basis for the highly circulated “Sad Affleck” meme. In a 2022 talk with The Los Angeles Times, Affleck remarked that he found the meme amusing but also expressed concern about its effect on his family, especially his children.
But then my kids see it and I think, ‘Oh, are they going to think their dad is fundamentally sad or they have to worry about me?’ That’s really tough.
This candid statement highlights the personal challenge behind the public humor surrounding his image.
Recent Moments Reviving the Meme’s Popularity
Only weeks prior to the Sunset Tower photo, Affleck unintentionally brought the “Sad Affleck” meme back into the spotlight when he was seen smoking a cigarette while waiting at a valet stand, appearing deep in thought. These recurring images have kept the Ben Affleck smoking meme alive in online discussions, underscoring the actor’s lasting presence in pop culture.
https://twitter.com/BackgridUS/status/1988317269718421960
New meme template just dropped "Sad Affleck"https://t.co/i8KAVZIrAN pic.twitter.com/rczh4UiGV2
— Jack Black (@jackonblack12) October 27, 2025
