Grant Gustin addresses viral Arrowverse gravestone meme
The Flash star Grant Gustin has spoken publicly for the first time about the viral Arrowverse gravestone meme that has remained popular online for years.
The meme originated from a photo taken during the production of the Arrow series finale, where Gustin posed in front of Oliver Queen’s gravestone. Since its release, the image has become one of the most widely shared moments in Arrowverse history, extending beyond DC fandom into mainstream internet culture.
On this day five years ago, Arrow actor Echo Kellum posted the following image of Grant Gustin to Instagram. pic.twitter.com/MIjBeFCR0O
At a recent Fan Expo event, Gustin was asked about the meme’s enduring popularity. The actor admitted that while some captions attached to the photo are not his favorite, he enjoys sports-related ones the most. “Whenever someone’s been eliminated from the playoffs when it’s a team I don’t like, at least, those are always funnier to me,” Gustin said. He noted that the meme continues to resurface online, often shared with him by acquaintances who discover it in unrelated contexts.
Reflecting on the meme’s reach, Gustin joked that it might even outlast his career. “I’ve joked that when I die, that will be on my tombstone. I feel like I’m more famous for that than anything else,” he said, highlighting how deeply the image has embedded itself into internet culture.
The popularity of the Arrowverse gravestone meme underscores the lasting cultural impact of The CW’s interconnected DC universe, even after its conclusion in December 2024. Though the Arrowverse has ended, moments like this continue to keep the franchise alive in fan discussions and across social media platforms.