The star of Diary of a Wimpy Kid who became an iconic meme has turned 28 and fans are gushing about his ‘glow up.’
Robert Capron – who starred as Rowley Jefferson in all four films of the coming-of-age franchise – celebrated his birthday and social media users could not believe his transformation.
‘Dang he went through a glow-up,’ one user on X wrote on a Pop Crave post while another said: ‘Damn, Rowley grew up handsome. Good for him.’
Dr. Daniel Rubinshtein commented: ‘Every kid actor eventually becomes unrecognizable and it’s somehow always the jaw and teeth that do it.
‘Funny how much a face changes just from jaw growth and adult teeth settling in.’
Capron starred alongside Zachary Gordon – who portrays Greg Heffley – in the film series based on Jeff Kinney’s 2007 novel.
The star of Diary of a Wimpy Kid who became an iconic meme has turned 28 and fans are gushing about his ‘glow up’
Robert Capron – who starred as Rowley Jefferson in all four films of the coming-of-age franchise – celebrated his birthday and social media users could not believe his transformation
The features document Greg and Rowley’s friendship as they try to navigate middle school and high school while trying to achieve popularity.
There were four total films including: 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 Haul (2017).
Years later, Capron became an iconic .GIF meme known as ‘Rowley waves then looks down.’
In the scene, Rowley could be seen greeting Greg with a wave and a smile before looking down and completely changing his expression to one of concern. In the film, Greg is wearing a bizarre garment covering his stained pants.
In July 2023, the short clip achieved popularity as a .GIF on iFunny, X, and later TikTok.
He grew up in Providence, Rhode Island to parents Kaye and Robert Banfield Capron Sr. Kaye played his character’s mother in Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Before starring in the family films, he made his film debut with a minor role in 2009 flick Bride Wars.
He later had small parts in Hachiko: A Dog’s Story (2009) and Disney film The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010).
Capron (left) starred alongside Zachary Gordon – who portrays 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’
Now, Capron has been documenting his life and grown up looks on social media including his Instagram
Users on X couldn’t believe his transformation
He has not acted in a film since 2021 short film Caffe Greco, but has focused more on a writing career as he co-wrote 2024 short film Vial in addition to other shorts 15 to Sunrise (2025) and Vigor (2022
Capron reunited with co-star Gordon at the Minions & Monsters premiere in Hollywood last month
Now, Capron has been documenting his life and grown up looks on social media including his Instagram.
He has not acted in a film since 2021 short film Caffe Greco, but has focused more on a writing career as he co-wrote 2024 short film Vial in addition to other shorts 15 to Sunrise (2025) and Vigor (2022).
He will be returning to acting as he is set to star in comedy Growing up Gorman which is currently in pre-production.
Capron graduated from Brown University in 2020 and attended Fordham University’s London Dramatic Academy Program in spring 2019.
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