Top 10 Most Tragic Memes Because of What We Know Now

During an emotional episode of A&E’s “Intervention,” former boxing champ Rocky Lockridge broke down on camera, and that raw moment quickly became a viral meme. While many found his outburst hilarious, most had no idea about the heartbreak behind it. Rocky once had a flourishing boxing career, even beating the undefeated Roger Mayweather. But everything fell apart when he turned to drugs, costing him his family, his home, and his once-great life. The viral moment was actually his family pouring out their hearts while mending their broken relationship. Sadly, after reconnecting with them, Rocky died from a stroke in 2019. So, while the internet was mesmerized by his loud wailing, behind the meme was a man at his lowest.

Sure, maybe the Garfield comic can get a little sad on occasion. But leave it to the internet to take things to a completely new level. In 2020, a panel from a 1993 Garfield comic strip showing a limp Garfield in the arms of his heartbroken owner, Jon Arbuckle, went viral on social media . This “flat cat" meme blew up as a go-to for all kinds of funny messages but the original scene is far from amusing. Jon is devastated, holding what looks like a lifeless Garfield (which is actually a decoy) and desperately trying to wake it up. Yeah, what has become a punchline in meme culture is actually Jon panicking, thinking he’d lost someone dear to him.

In 2012, a short documentary by Jason Russell, the co-founder of the nonprofit Invisible Children, grabbed global attention, but not without its baggage of problems. This film aimed to expose the atrocities of the Lord’s Resistance Army and make its leader, Joseph Kony, infamous enough to be arrested. But when this film went viral, it attracted a lot of bad press with critics slamming it for oversimplifying a serious issue. The backlash hit Russell real hard and things got so wild that a video of him having a breakdown, half-naked on the streets of San Diego, circulated online. He was also later hospitalized. Now, more than a decade later, Kony’s no longer deemed a threat and Russell’s digital presence has all but disappeared.

You’ve probably seen the meme of the bearded guy nodding, often used to suggest approval of some sort, whether sarcastic or honest. Seems harmless, right? Well, that’s until you learn its unsettling origin. For years, people assumed it was comedian Zach Galifianakis because of its striking resemblance, but it's actually taken from the 1972 film “Jeremiah Johnson.” Robert Redford plays the titular character, famously known as the Liver-Eating Johnson, a ruthless mountain man who went on a revenge spree after his wife was murdered by the Crow tribe. He tracked down his enemies and had a, let’s say, a unique and gory way of handling their corpses. Bizarre right? Suddenly that approving nod feels more chilling now that you know the backstory.

Based on a 2010 photo of the dog Kabosu with her head turned and paws crossed, this meme became incredibly popular in 2013. The round-faced dog paired with funny internal monologue captions became a meme culture icon and even made its way into cryptocurrency discussions. But behind the fame, Kabosu’s story isn’t as lighthearted. She was rescued from a puppy farm by Atsuko Sato, where she was set to be put down. And the iconic meme came from a simple photo Sato posted of the now-adopted dog. Sadly, Kabosu was diagnosed with cancer in 2022 and passed away in 2024. To honor her, a bronze statue of Kabosu was unveiled at Sakura Furusato Square, forever immortalizing her.

Originally created by American artist Matt Furie in 2005, this hugely popular icon started out as a meme with all kinds of meanings. With a catchphrase attached to it, it could convey sadness, anger, or surprise. But during the 2016 American election, Pepe the Frog got tangled up with Donald Trump’s campaign and alt-right groups, forever altering its harmless meaning. Internet trolls began creating even more twisted versions of Pepe, turning what was once a funny-looking frog into a symbol of hate and racism, much to Furie’s despair. He tried to kill the character off, distance it from the negativity, and bring back its positive vibe, but nothing worked. It’s a real shame because the quirky Pepe was never meant to represent something sinister.

Being in the spotlight can be both rewarding and damaging, and for “Prison Break” star Wentworth Miller, it was the latter. In 2016, a meme comparing his images at different body weights went viral after being posted by The LAD Bible. But what seemed like a cruel fat-shaming joke became heartbreaking when Miller revealed the real reason for his changed appearance. In a moving essay, he opened up about how he’d been taking a break from acting and battling depression, which led to his weight gain. So while the internet was laughing, he was struggling with serious mental health issues. Although the entertainment website later apologized, such a cruel post never should’ve been shared.

Welven Harris, better known as “Welven Da Great" shot to fame with his viral “Deez Nuts” video, which gained over 45 million views. This breakout moment opened doors for him, leading to appearances on radio shows and hangouts with big names like DJ Khaled. Fans flocked to him and he was living the high life - until things took a dark turn . His account was hacked, causing him to lose millions of followers and he quickly lost his trending status. Even worse, disturbing videos of him being harassed or appearing homeless started popping up. At one point, it was even rumored that he had died. However, in 2023, it was confirmed that he was alive and well - just not the famous Welven anymore.

In 2012, a cat named Tardar Sauce became an overnight internet sensation when a photo of her iconic scowl surfaced online. With her grumpy face and big bubble eyes, she quickly became a viral meme for humor or cynicism. She was so popular she had millions of followers on Instagram, Twitter and beyond. Fans lined up just to meet her. This feline celebrity even appeared on shows like “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and a waxed figure of her was showcased in a San Francisco museum. But behind that distinctive look, Tardar suffered from an underbite and feline dwarfism, which caused her perpetually grumpy appearance. How sad! To make things even sadder, Tardar passed away a few years ago, leaving feline-loving fans heartbroken.

Think a meme can’t ruin a person’s life? Just ask Ghyslain Raza, who unintentionally became infamous. It all started in 2002 when 15-year-old Raza recorded a fun video of himself mimicking a lightsaber battle. But when that private moment fell into the wrong hands, it exploded online, turning his life upside down. Dubbed the “Star Wars Kid" by blogger Andy Baio, Raza became a target of widespread ridicule and cyber abuse. It got so intense that he dropped out of school and suffered serious mental health issues. His parents even sued those responsible for making the video viral, but ultimately settled out of court. Decades later, an older Raza channeled his experience into a documentary to shed light on the impact of taunting and tormenting.

What other popular memes’ backstories are you curious to know about? Let us know in the comment section.