August 8th 2024.
Jack Karlson, the man who became famous for his love of a succulent Chinese meal, passed away at the age of 82. He was known for his encounter at a Chinese restaurant in Brisbane, which became a beloved Australian meme. But there was much more to Karlson than this viral moment.
Throughout his life, Karlson was a serial prison-breaker and a small-time crook who went by various aliases. In 1991, a news clip of his arrest at the China Key restaurant was uploaded online, bringing him newfound fame. In the clip, he can be seen being escorted out of the restaurant by police officers and getting into a nearby car.
But it was Karlson's memorable words that truly made the clip go viral. "I'm under what? What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?" he boomed theatrically, resisting his arrest. He then declared, "Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest," before yelling at an officer to "get your hands off my penis" moments later.
The Channel Seven journalist Chris Reason, who reported on Karlson's arrest 33 years ago, paid tribute to him on Twitter, announcing that "Mr Democracy Manifest has died." Karlson passed away on Wednesday at 6:31pm, surrounded by his family in a hospital bed.
In a statement, his niece Kim Edwards shared that Karlson had spent his last few weeks in the hospital, where he made several attempts to escape and asked for his pipe. Although he battled many ailments, it was systemic inflammatory response syndrome that took his life.
Karlson was a notorious figure, and even in his final moments, he remained true to his character. His family gave him a last taste of red wine through his drip before it was removed. He passed away the day after his 82nd birthday, but the exact date of his birth is uncertain. He had used various pseudonyms throughout his life and changed his date of birth multiple times.
Heath Davis, a filmmaker producing a documentary on Karlson's life, expects a flood of information about his identity and exploits to come to light following his death. Some of the stories that have already been uncovered include his fantastical prison escapes, such as picking a lock while cuffed to a sleeping officer and jumping from a moving train, swimming to a nearby island, and being rescued by a fisherman.
Davis described Karlson as a "zest for life" and a "wordsmith" who could have been a millionaire if he had trademarked the phrases he is known for in Australian culture. Despite his viral fame, Karlson was not tech-savvy and shunned the internet, never fully understanding the impact he had on popular culture. "He is folklore and doesn't even know it," Davis remarked.
The police officer who arrested Karlson in 1991, Stoll Watt, shared that there are many versions of the story floating around. Watt described Karlson as a "trained actor" who was also a natural showman and a conman. He even called Watt "comrade" and invited him to spend the night and enjoy "the juice of the red grapes." Karlson was a complex and intriguing character, leaving a lasting impression on those who crossed paths with him.
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