Okay internet friends you know the Oscars right? Big stars fancy dresses maybe a few surprises. But this year's 2025 Oscars might be remembered for something totally unexpected: John Lithgow's face. Yep that's right the legendary actor has become the latest meme sensation and it's all thanks to a hilarious joke from the host Conan O'Brien.
Conan O'Brien's Oscars Monologue Creates Instant Meme Gold: John Lithgow's "Slightly Disappointed" Look
Conan O'Brien kicked off the 2025 Oscars with his signature opening monologue and it was full of zingers. But one joke in particular really landed and spawned a thousand memes. Conan told the A-list crowd that if anyone dared to go on too long during their acceptance speeches the broadcast would cut to none other than John Lithgow . The catch? Lithgow would be giving his best "slightly disappointed" face.
And oh boy did Lithgow deliver! The camera cut to him at the perfect moment and his expression was comedy gold. It wasn't angry it wasn't over-the-top it was just the perfect level of mild letdown. The internet as the internet does immediately went wild. John Lithgow's "disappointed face" became an instant meme.
People started using it for everything. Hulu livestream messing up? Disappointed Lithgow. Your coffee order is wrong? Disappointed Lithgow. Your favorite character dies in a show? You guessed it Disappointed Lithgow. It was the perfect reaction for pretty much any minor inconvenience or moment of mild frustration. The meme really took off on X (formerly Twitter) and you can bet we will be seeing that slightly disappointed John Lithgow face floating around for a while.
From Oscars Meme to Hogwarts Headmaster: John Lithgow Embarks on a Magical Journey as Dumbledore
So John Lithgow is now officially a meme king which is pretty awesome. But guess what else? He's also landed a role that is arguably even bigger than meme stardom: Dumbledore in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series on Max. Talk about range!
While some fans initially had a "slightly disappointed face" reaction to Lithgow as Dumbledore it sounds like the actor himself is absolutely thrilled. He told MovieWeb he is incredibly excited about taking on what he believes might be his "last great role." That is a pretty big statement from someone with John Lithgow's incredible career history.
Lithgow is clearly excited to join the Harry Potter universe. He's looking forward to working with "great people in a great city full of great actors" for what is expected to be a seven-season run. He even mentioned a fun fact that he and Michael Gambon who also famously played Dumbledore share the same birthday! It seems like destiny.
He acknowledged that taking on the role of Dumbledore is a huge deal and will likely be a defining moment in his already legendary career. Considering the series is expected to last a decade Lithgow joked that he will be almost 90 years old by the time it wraps up. He’s ready for the long haul though and ready to bring his own magic to the iconic role.
A Career Spanning Decades: From Oscar Noms to Dumbledore Dreams
John Lithgow has been acting for over 50 years. Let that sink in. Fifty years! He is not just some flash-in-the-pan meme star. This guy is a legend with a resume that is seriously impressive.
Let's just run through some of the highlights: He's got two Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor for The World According to Garp and Terms of Endearment. He is known for iconic movie roles like Reverend Shaw Moore in Footloose and Lord Farquaad in Shrek. On TV he was the hilarious Dick Solomon in 3rd Rock from the Sun and the terrifying Trinity Killer in Dexter (winning both a Golden Globe and an Emmy for that!). He even won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for Sweet Smell of Success.
And that's not even everything. He's written children's books recorded music he's done it all. John Lithgow is a true multi-talented force in entertainment.
John Lithgow: From Oscars Meme Star to Dumbledore - Key Roles to Remember
Want to dive deeper into John Lithgow's amazing career? Here are just a few of his most memorable roles to check out:
- Dick Solomon in 3rd Rock from the Sun (TV Series): Hilarious alien learning about human life.
- Lord Farquaad in Shrek (Movie): The comically villainous short king.
- The Trinity Killer (Arthur Mitchell) in Dexter (TV Series): Truly chilling and award-winning performance as a serial killer.
- Reverend Shaw Moore in Footloose (Movie): The strict but ultimately understanding father.
- Bertram Pincus in Tower Heist (Movie): The corrupt businessman.
Get Ready for More Lithgow: Meme Magic and Dumbledore's Wisdom Coming Soon
So whether you are sharing his "disappointed face" meme online or eagerly anticipating his take on Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series it is clear John Lithgow is having a moment. He has been entertaining audiences for decades and he shows no signs of stopping. From comedic meme gold to a potentially iconic role as Dumbledore John Lithgow is definitely one to watch in 2025 and beyond. We can't wait to see what he does next!