Diary of a Wimpy Kid star who became iconic meme looks unrecognizable as he turns 28 – see him now
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid star, who has become an iconic meme, turns 28 and fans are gushing over his ‘glow’.
Robert Capron, who played the role of Rowley Jefferson in all four coming-of-age films, celebrated his birthday and social media users couldn’t believe his transformation.
“Dang, it just flashed,” one user on X wrote under an email. Pop Longing Another said: ‘Damn Rowley has grown up handsome. Good for him.”
Dr Daniel Rubinshtein commented: ‘Every child actor eventually becomes unrecognizable, and it’s always the jaw and teeth that do it.
‘It’s funny how much a face changes due to jaw growth and the settling of adult teeth.’
Capron starred opposite Zachary Gordon, who played Greg Heffley in the film series based on Jeff Kinney’s 2007 novel.
The iconic meme Diary of a Wimpy Kid star turns 28 and fans are gushing over his ‘glow’
Robert Capron, who played the role of Rowley Jefferson in all four coming-of-age films, celebrated his birthday and social media users couldn’t believe his transformation.
The films document the friendship of Greg and Rowley as they navigate middle school and high school while trying to gain popularity.
There were four films: Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010), Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012) and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Way (2017).
Years later, Capron became an iconic .GIF meme known as ‘Rowley waving and looking down’.
On stage, Rowley could be seen greeting Greg with a wave and a smile before looking down and changing her expression to one of complete concern. In the movie, Greg wears a strange dress that covers his stained pants.
In July 2023, the short clip gained popularity as a .GIF on iFunny, X, and later TikTok.
Kaye and Robert Banfield Capron Sr. in Providence, Rhode Island. He grew up with his parents. Kaye played her character’s mother in Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Before starring in family films, she made her film debut with a small role in the 2009 movie Bride Wars.
He later appeared in minor roles in the films Hachiko: A Dog’s Tale (2009) and the Disney film The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010).
Capron (left) starred opposite Zachary Gordon, who played Greg Heffley in the film series based on Jeff Kinney’s 2007 novel.
Years later, Capron became an iconic .GIF meme known as ‘Rowley waves then looks down’
Capron now documents her life and adult appearance on social media
X users couldn’t believe his transformation
He hasn’t appeared in a film since 2021’s short Caffe Greco, but has focused more on his writing career, co-writing the 2024 short Vial among other projects.
Capron reunited with his former co-star Gordon at the Minions & Monsters premiere in Hollywood last month
Now Capron documents her life and adult looks on social media, including her Instagram.
He has not appeared in a film since the 2021 short Caffe Greco, but has focused more on his writing career and co-wrote the 2024 short Vial: 15 to Sunrise (2025) and Vigor (2022), in addition to other short films.
The actor, who is preparing to star in the comedy Growing up Gorman, which is in pre-production, will return to acting.
Capron graduated from Brown University in 2020 and attended Fordham University’s London Dramatic Academy Program in spring 2019.
