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What Is The 'He Was The Best Guy Around' Meme? The Origin Of The 'John Gotti' Catchphrase And Its Memes On TikTok Explained
It is an almost impossible task to escape memes about Luigi Mangione, the suspected UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter. From thirst traps to conspiracy theories, Luigi is omnipresent on all social media, including TikTok, where his newly created fandom started to use the viral soundbite "He Was the Best Guy Around" to post comedic videos about the alleged assassin.
@zaytashon He was the best guy around
This sound bite, which originates from a 1992 interview about mobster John Gotti trial, has gained viral traction over the past year, often used in comedic skits that juxtapose praise with absurd situations. Here's the full story behind the meme's origin and how it's evolved over the years.
Where Is The 'He Was The Best Guy Around' Sound From?
The catchphrase "He Was the Best Guy Around" originates from a news interview following the 1992 trial of notorious mobster John Gotti.
During the coverage, interviewees expressed their unwavering support for Gotti, asserting his good nature despite his criminal background.
This interview segment was later uploaded to YouTube in October 2019 and resurfaced on platforms like TikTok, where it gained significant popularity in 2023 as a sound clip utilized by users to humorous effect.
How Did The 'He Was The Best Guy Around' Become A Meme?
The soundbite clip from Gotti's trial was first used on TikTok by user @Madrandombro in March 2023, who turned it into an audio template for other creators.
Rather than being confined to its original mobster context, users began remixing the sound to apply it to various situations that juxtaposed absurd or ironic situations.
@officialsaarah Replying to @David He was the best guy around! #tiktoksoundsorigins#tiktoksoundss#soundsoftiktok ♬ original sound – Just Jenna Show
For instance, in May 2023, the audio format was then used by TikToker @Raymond in a new direction by having it be about his cats, helping to start the trend of using the audio format to mean cats who are vicious but still cute looking.
@raymondthecatman #catsoftiktok #cattok #foryou ♬ original sound – Just Jenna Show
Why Are People Posting Videos About Luigi Mangione On TikTok Using The 'He Was The Best Guy Around' Meme?
The meme has taken on a new life in December 2024 due to the notoriety surrounding Luigi Mangione, who was allegedly involved in the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, which sparked widespread media coverage, memes and other reactions across the web.
Following his detainment, social media users began repurposing the He Was the Best Guy Around sound in their videos, often using it to humorously express their support for Mangione despite the serious nature of his actions.
For example, TikToker @tvreleasedate compared John Gotti's clip with Luigi Mangione's arrest video following his capture, causing a resurgence in usage of the meme online.
@tvreleasedate Luigi Mangione shouts as he is taken into his extradition hearing: He Is The Best Guy Around Luigi Mangione has been charged with murder in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson ‘FREE HIM’ trends worldwide on Twitter/X following the identification of Luigi Mangione, current person-of-interest being questioned for the murder of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO #FreeHim #trending #ForYou #tvreleasedate #Fyp ♬ Easy – Josh Breaks
For the full history of He Was The Best Guy Around, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's entry for even more information.
