Leonardo DiCaprio may have just dethroned Ben Affleck as the king of memes after his hilarious displays at the 2026 Golden Globes went viral on social media.
The Oscar-winner, 51, attended the star-studded event with the cast and crew of his acclaimed film One Battle After Another, which earned him a Best Actor nod and a coveted Best Picture win.
The tuxedo-clad heartthrob was seated next to his mother Irmelin Indenbirken, 82, and co-star Sean Penn during the three-hour ceremony held in Beverly Hills and broadcasted live on CBS.
DiCaprio was the unexpected life of the party as the notoriously private star was frequently caught making sassy expressions at other celebrities and the cameras.
In a now-viral clip, DiCaprio was seen putting on an extremely animated display while interacting with someone at another table during a commercial break.
He pointed at his own eyes before playfully pointing at the offscreen person, letting them know he was 'watching' them before excitedly waving his fingers around and clapping.
Leonardo DiCaprio may have just dethroned Ben Affleck as the king of memes after his hilarious displays at the 2026 Golden Globeswent viral on social media
In a now-viral X video, DiCaprio was seeing making wild faces and gesturing excitedly during one commercial break
He lifted one eyebrow in a suspicious manner and then made a flurry of bizarre facial expressions, including one where he pressed his index finger to his lips before erupting with laughter.
Fans admitted that they 'loved' seeing this rare side of DiCaprio, who often hides himself behind N95 masks when in public.
'I am literally howling... this is the most animated i've ever seen him in my entire life,' penned one X user.
'[DiCaprio] usually gives us absolutely nothing, so seeing him this hyped is actually a historic moment.'
Another added: 'Obsessed with this. sass x 1000.'
Many were keen to know just what exactly made DiCaprio so excitable, with one X user jokingly guessing he saw 'a woman under 26' - a jab at the star's age-gap dating life.
'I need to know what is happening like right now' demanded one X user, while others encouraged fans to 'leave the man alone.'
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, professional lipreader Nicola Hickling was able to help decipher some of what DiCaprio was saying in the clip.
According to Hickling, DiCaprio was heard telling a mystery pal about 'K-pop' and that he 'was watching' them.
Hickling's reading was backed up by several X users, who were convinced DiCaprio was communicating with his One Battle After Another co-star Chase Infiniti, who is reportedly a huge fan of the K-pop music genre.
Fans admitted that they 'loved' seeing this rare side of DiCaprio, who often hides himself behind N95 masks when in public
Golden Globe Awards 2026 winners: AT A GLANCE
TELEVISION
Best TV Series – Drama: The Pitt
Best TV Series – Musical or Comedy: The Studio
Best Limited TV Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for TV: Adolescence
Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for TV: Stephen Graham - Adolescence
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role — TV Series, Limited series or TV Movie: Owen Cooper - Adolescence
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role — TV Series, Limited series or TV Movie: Erin Doherty - Adolescence
Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series – Drama: Noah Wyle - The Pitt
Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Series — Drama: Rhea Seehorn - Pluribus
Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series — Musical or Comedy: Seth Rogen - The Studio
Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Series — Musical or Comedy: Jean Smart - Hacks
DiCaprio's fun faces didn't just occur during commercial breaks.
The star had plenty of reactions to Nikki Glaser's jokes about him in her explosive opening monologue, where she made reference to the Epstein files, CBS News' recent 'anti-work' overhaul and DiCaprio's infamous dating life.
Glaser took a major dig at 51-year-old DiCaprio's reputation for dating women under the age of 25 as she applauded his performance in the nominated film One Battle After Another, which she jokingly referred to as 'One Man-Bun After Another.'
'What a career you have had,' she said to DiCaprio. 'Countless iconic performances. You've worked with every great director, you've won three Golden Globes, and an Oscar.
'The most impressive thing is that you were able to accomplish that all before your girlfriend turned 30. It is just insane.'
DiCaprio is currently in a relationship with 27-year-old Italian supermodel Vittoria Ceretti.
Glaser then apologized to DiCaprio for the low blow but explained that people 'known nothing else' about the star.
'Leo, I'm sorry I made that joke. It is cheap. I tried not to, but, like, we don't know anything else about you,' she explained, before adding, 'There's nothing else. Open up! I'm serious!'
DiCaprio's fun faces didn't just occur during commercial breaks
The star had plenty of reactions to Nikki Glaser's jokes about him in her explosive opening monologue, where she referenced the Epstein files and DiCaprio's infamous dating life
A screenshot of DiCaprio giving a joyful 'thumbs up' during the three-hour ceremony quickly began making the rounds on X and Instagram
He laughed it up with Julia Roberts
DiCaprio smirked while chatting with John Krasinski
He cozied up to a very glam Kate Hudson
DiCaprio looked very excited to see the Song Sung Blue star
For the 2026 ceremony, DiCaprio looked handsome in a classic tuxedo and shiny black dress shoes
Glaser claimed she 'searched' for more information about DiCaprio's private life but 'the most in-depth interview [he has] ever given was for 'Teen Beat' magazine in 1991.'
She then directly quoted a ridiculous answer DiCaprio, who would've been in his early 20s, once gave to the 90s magazine.
'Is your favorite food still 'Pasta, pasta, and more pasta?' she asked, before encouraging DiCaprio and the laughing audience to 'look it up.'
A screenshot of DiCaprio giving a joyful 'thumbs up' during the ceremony quickly began making the rounds on X and Instagram.
With so many fun Golden Globes moments to choose from, DiCaprio is now giving bonafide 'meme king' Affleck a run for his money.
Affleck has cemented his place in pop culture as a master of memes over the last decade thanks to his 'Sad Affleck' face as well the countless photos of him looking exhausted while puffing on a cigarette.
Just before his marriage to Jennifer Lopez crumbled, Affleck made waves in 2023 with the introduction of his never-before-seen 'disinterested expression' at that year's Grammy Awards.
Throughout the A-list evening, Affleck was seen looking totally disinterested beside the ravishing Lopez, who appeared to be having a blast.
Affleck has cemented his place in pop culture as a master of memes over the last decade thanks to his 'Sad Affleck' face; Affleck seen in 2016 with Henry Cavill
Just before his marriage to Jennifer Lopez crumbled, Affleck made waves in 2023 with the introduction of his never-before-seen 'disinterested expression' at that year's Grammys
One particular moment that spawned a multitude of hilarious memes on Twitter was when the stone-faced Oscar winner watched Stevie Wonder belt out Higher Ground.
'Ben Affleck looks like he'd rather be at Dunkin',' tweeted one viewer, referencing Affleck's famous passion for Dunkin' Donuts.
And the hilarious memes kept on coming, with one viewer writing, 'Ben Affleck looks like he'd rather be at the dentist.'
'Ben Affleck, blink if you're okay,' tweeted another viewer, echoing the sentiments of social media across the board.
Golden Globe Awards 2026 winners
FILM
Best Picture - Comedy Or Musical
Blue Moon
Bugonia
Marty Supreme
No Other Choice
Nouvelle Vague
One Battle After Another - WINNER
Best Picture – Drama
Frankenstein
Hamnet - WINNER
It Was Just An Accident
The Secret Agent
Sentimental Value
Sinners
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Drama
Joel Edgerton - Train Dreams
Oscar Isaac - Frankenstein
Dwayne Johnson - Smashing Machine
Michael B. Jordan - Sinners
Wagner Moura - The Secret Agent - WINNER
Jeremy Allen White - Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy
Timothee Chalamet - Marty Supreme - WINNER
George Clooney - Jay Kelly
Leonardo DiCaprio - One Battle After Another
Ethan Hawke - Blue Moon
Lee Byung-Hun - No Other Choice
Jesse Plemons - Bugonia
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama
Jessie Buckley - Hamnet - WINNER
Jennifer Lawrence - Die, My Love
Renate Reinsve - Sentimental Value
Julia Roberts - After the Hunt
Tessa Thompson - Hedda
Eva Victor - Sorry, Baby
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy
Rose Byrne - If I Had Legs I’d Kick You - WINNER
Cynthia Erivo - Wicked: For Good
Kate Hudson - Song Sung Blue
Chase Infiniti - One Battle After Another
Amanda Seyfried - The Testament of Ann Lee
Emma Stone - Bugonia
Best Supporting Actress
Emily Blunt - The Smashing Machine
Elle Fanning - Sentimental Value
Ariana Grande - Wicked: For Good
Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas - Sentimental Value
Amy Madigan - Weapons
Teyana Taylor - One Battle After Another - WINNER
Best Supporting Actor
Benicio Del Toro - One Battle After Another
Jacob Elordi - Frankenstein
Paul Mescal - Hamnet
Sean Penn - One Battle After Another
Adam Sandler - Jay Kelly
Stellan Skarsgård - Sentimental Value - WINNER
Best Original Song
“Dream as One” - Avatar: Fire and Ash
“Golden” - KPop Demon Hunters - WINNER
“I Lied to You” - Sinners
“No Place Like Home” - Wicked: For Good
The Girl in the Bubble” - Wicked: For Good
"Train Dreams” - Train Dreams
Best Original Score– Motion Picture
Alexandre Desplat - Frankenstein
Ludwig Göransson - Sinners - WINNER
Jonny Greenwood - One Battle After Another
Kangding Ray - Sirāt
Max Richter - Hamnet
Hans Zimmer - F1
Best Director – Motion Picture
Paul Thomas Anderson - One Battle After Another - WINNER
Ryan Coogler - Sinners
Guillermo del Toro - Frankenstein
Jafar Panahi - It Was Just an Accident
Joachim Trier - Sentimental Value
Chloé Zhao - Hamnet
Best Screenplay
Paul Thomas Anderson - One Battle After Another - WINNER
Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie - Marty Supreme
Ryan Coogler - Sinners
Jafar Panahi - It Was Just an Accident
Maggie O’Farrell - Hamnet
Best non-English Language Film
It Was Just an Accident
No Other Choice
The Secret Agent - WINNER
Sentimental Value
Sirât
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Best Animated Film
Arco
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle
Elio
KPop Demon Hunters - WINNER
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
Zootopia 2
Outstanding Cinematic and Box Office Achievement
Avatar: Fire and Ash
F1
KPop Demon Hunters
Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning
Sinners - WINNER
Weapons
Wicked: For Good
Zootopia 2
TELEVISION
Best TV Series – Drama
The Diplomat
The Pitt - WINNER
Pluribus
Severance
Slow Horses
The White Lotus
Best TV Series – Musical or Comedy
Abbott Elementary
The Bear
Hacks
Nobody Wants This
Only Murders in the Building
The Studio - WINNER
Best Limited TV Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for TV
Adolescence - WINNER
All Her Fault
The Beast in Me
Black Mirror
Dying for Sex
The Girlfriend
Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series – Drama
Sterling K. Brown - Paradise
Diego Luna - Andor
Gary Oldman - Slow Horses
Mark Ruffalo - Task
Adam Scott - Severance
Noah Wyle - The Pitt - WINNER
Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Series — Drama
Kathy Bates - Matlock
Britt Lower - Severance
Helen Mirren - MobLand
Bella Ramsey - The Last of Us
Keri Russell - The Diplomat
Rhea Seehorn - Pluribus - WINNER
Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for TV
Claire Danes - The Beast in Me
Rashida Jones - Black Mirror
Amanda Seyfried - Long Bright River
Sarah Snook - All Her Fault
Michelle Williams - Dying for Sex - WINNER
Robin Wright - The Girlfriend
Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series — Musical or Comedy
Adam Brody - Nobody Wants This
Steve Martin - Only Murders in the Building
Glen Powell - Chad Powers
Seth Rogen - The Studio - WINNER
Martin Short - Only Murders in the Building
Jeremy Allen White - The Bear
Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Series — Musical or Comedy
Kristen Bell - Nobody Wants This
Ayo Edebiri - The Bear
Selena Gomez - Only Murders in the Building
Natasha Lyonne - Poker Face
Jenna Ortega - Wednesday
Jean Smart - Hacks - WINNER
Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for TV
Jacob Elordi - The Narrow Road to the Deep North
Paul Giamatti - Black Mirror
Stephen Graham - Adolescence - WINNER
Charlie Hunnam - Monster: The Ed Gein Story
Jude Law - Black Rabbit
Matthew Rhys - The Beast in Me
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role — TV Series, Limited series or TV Movie
Owen Cooper - Adolescence - WINNER
Billy Crudup - The Morning Show
Walton Goggins - The White Lotus
Jason Isaac - The White Lotus
Tramell Tillman - Severance
Ashley Walters - Adolescence
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role — TV Series, Limited series or TV Movie
Carrie Coon - The White Lotus
Erin Doherty - Adolescence - WINNER
Hannah Einbinder - Hacks
Catherine O’Hara - The Studio
Parker Posey - The White Lotus
Aimee Lou Wood - The White Lotus
Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on TV
Bill Maher - Is Anyone Else Seeing This?
Brett Goldstein - The Second Best Night of Your Life
Kevin Hart - Acting My Age
Kumail Nanjiani - Night Thoughts
Ricky Gervais - Mortality - WINNER
Sarah Silverman - Postmortem
PODCASTING
Best Podcast
Armchair Expert
Call Her Daddy
Good Hang - WINNER
The Mel Robbins Podcast
Smartless
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