Starting in 2019, an image of Osborn paired with the quote gained popularity as an image macro and in GIF captions. 'Oh, You Can't Do This to Me' refers to a memorable quote said by the 2002 film Spider-Man character Norman Osborn upon being told that he is fired. Online, a screen-capture from the scene has been used in image macros featuring the quote as a punchline to various jokes about one's hardships.

'You Know How Much I Sacrificed' is a memorable quote uttered by the character Norman Osborn in the 2002 superhero film Spider-Man.

In 2017, an image caption format based on the macro of Dafoe 'You know, I'm something of a scientist myself.' gained popularity on Reddit. In October 2016, during the popularity of Raimiposting (offensive memes based on Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy popular on 4chan not to be confused with it's non-offensive development Raimi Memes), meme format I'm Something of a Scientist Myself was created. The earliest known meme format to feature Willem Dafoe is I'm Something of a Scientist Myself. Starting in 2016, characters performed by Willem Dafoe, primarily Norman Osborn / Green Goblin, and the actor himself appeared in multiple meme formats. Over his career, Dafoe received four Academy Awards nominations, four Screen Actors Guild Awards and Three Golden Globe Awards. His other notable works include roles in Lars von Trier's films Antichrist and Nymphomaniac, Wes Anderson's films The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and The Grand Budapest Hotel, in 2017 coming-of-age drama The Florida Project, 2018 biographical drama At Eternity's Gate and 2019 psychological thriller The Lighthouse.

In 2002 Dafoe portrayed supervillian Normon Osborn / Green Goblin in Spider-Man, which he again reprised in 2021 film Spider-Man: No Way Home. In 1985, Willem Dafoe received his first Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor for his role of Sergeant Elias Grodin in Oliver Stone's war film Platoon. He first appeared in a leading role in an independent 1981 biker drama film The Loveless, playing the main antagonist in 1984 film Streets of Fire and 1985 film To Life and Die in L.A., appearing in multiple other villain roles since. Willem Dafoe made his film debut in 1980 film Heaven's Gate but was fired during production.

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