The man behind one of Australia's most famous viral memes - Jack Karlson - has died aged 82 following a battle with cancer.
Sad news: Mr Democracy Manifest has died. The cultural icon, whose arrest inspired a thousand t-shirts and millions of downloads, had advanced cancer. His immortal words will echo thru generations: "What is the charge..eating a meal, a succulent Chinese meal?!!" Vale Jack Karlson — Chris Reason (@ChrisReason7) pic.twitter.com/nLTuZgJDaZAugust 7, 2024
The colourful Australian may never be forgotten thanks to a case of mistaken identity.
A TV news crew filmed Mr Karlson's arrest at a Brisbane restaurant in 1991.
Police lead a reluctant Mr Karlson out of Fortitude Valley's China Sea Restaurant, prompting his now famous outburst.
"Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest," he tells the Seven News crew.
"Have a look at the headlock here... get your hand off my penis!"
Mr Karlson continues to struggle - and cause a scene - as officers try valiantly to load him into a police vehicle, leading to his now immortal line.
"What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?
"Oh, that's a nice headlock, sir. Ah yes, I see that you know your judo well."
Mr Karlson continues to play up for the camera as he appears to be picked up and carried into the police vehicle's back seat.
"Ta ta and farewell," an almost horizontal Mr Karlson says.
At the time police were hunting one of Queensland's most wanted men.
They swooped on the Chinese restaurant after a tip-off which claimed their target was using a stolen credit card to pay for his - no doubt succulent - meal.
Mr Karlson had a criminal history and was nabbed - but police got the wrong man.
Instead the Seven News crew got some classic footage that took on a life of its own years later.
Vision of the arrest was uploaded to YouTube in 2009 and quickly went viral.
It became the subject of countless memes, a book and even merchandise.
But it seemed Mr Karlson was more than just a meme.
He had a criminal record and reportedly escaped from custody three times.
He was also an occasional painter and part-time actor, even recently providing a music video cameo for punk band The Chats.
A documentary about Mr Karlson's life is set to be released in March 2025.
It is unsurprisingly called, "The Man Who Ate A Succulent Chinese Meal".
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