The man responsible for one of Australia’s most viral clips, known by the alias Jack Karlson, has died at the age of 82. Karlson, a former prison escapee and on-again, off-again petty criminal, gained fame in 2009 when a clip of his dramatic 1991 arrest outside a Chinese restaurant in Brisbane captivated the nation.
“What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal,” Karlson famously shouted while resisting a group of officers. His other memorable lines, including “Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest” and “Get your hand off my penis,” have since become internet sensations, inspiring countless memes, musical remixes, reaction videos, and even tattoos. The phrase “Democracy Manifest” was also used to name a purebred Australian racehorse.
Karlson’s family confirmed he passed away in the hospital on Wednesday after battling prostate cancer, surrounded by loved ones. “He walked a full and colorful path and despite the troubles thrown at him, he lived by his motto – to keep on laughing,” they said in a statement.
Karlson had recently reunited with one of the policemen, Stoll Watt, who arrested him that fateful day, to announce an upcoming documentary about his eccentric life. Despite his criminal record, Karlson maintained that the 1991 incident was a case of mistaken identity, stating, “They thought I was some international gangster.”
In a recent interview with ABC News, Karlson described his long life as one of adventure, including three jail breaks, multiple run-ins with authorities, and a period as one of Brisbane’s most prolific restaurant dine-and-dashers. Friends recalled his childhood as a Dickensian tragedy, marked by time spent in care homes and government institutions.
Tributes have poured in on social media following the news of his passing. Chris Reason, the reporter who covered the infamous arrest, wrote on X, “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 through generations.”
Mr. Watt, who formed a close friendship with Karlson since their reunion, remembered the 82-year-old as a “larger-than-life” figure with a big heart. “It’s a sad day for Australia. We’ve just lost a true colorful character,” he told the ABC.
