Success kid: What the face of thousands of memes looks like now

Sammy Griner was just 11 months old when he became an internet hit. Photo / Imgur

His is the face that launched a thousand memes. As a baby, Sammy Griner became a viral meme off the back of one clenched-fist photo taken by his mother at the beach.

At just 11-months-old, the Jacksonville Florida native was dubbed the "success kid" after his mother posted his picture on Flickr and it spread across the internet as a meme.

Now, a new photo of Sammy, now ten, has been posted by ThosWhoDoVoodoo to Imgur where it has been viewed more than two million times.

His original fist-pumping picture became a symbol to illustrate the small victories in an average person's day.

In Griner's latest post, he stands next to his mother as she holds up a clay model of her son striking his infamous pose. The caption reads: "This is Success kid."

Imgur users expressed surprise at Sammy's grown up appearance. BasedKevin posted: "Why isn't he doing the fist??!?"

While Jashen posted: "Aww, he's growing up into a Success Man."

After his baby picture became a meme, his family utilised the attention to help raise money for his father Justin's kidney transplant, ABC reported.

A grown up "success kid" with his mother, Laney Griner. Photo / Imgur

According to Griner's mother, Laney, the family have been "thrilled" by the positivity from the meme going viral.

Griner became the face of thousands of memes. Photo / quickmemegenerator

"There's not a single thing we regret about Success Kid. It's pretty crazy how it all happened. I still can't wrap my head around it."

A GoFundMe page was set up where the family were able to raise more than US$100, 000 to help cover medical care costs and what was eventually a successful surgery.

On the GoFundMe page, Laney wrote: "Be proud of yourselves, because you did this.

"It could not have happened now if not for the pure hearted, selfless kindness of family, friends, and mostly strangers.

"You are the very best of humankind and I'm so thankful to each of you. You allowed us to break the cycle from his mother dying from this disease.

"You've given life back to my husband, and a hope for a future for Sam and I. Thanking you for the rest of my life wouldn't be enough."

The Griners are hopeful their story will inspire others to consider being an organ donor.

- nzherald.co.nz