A petty criminal and former actor behind the iconic “delicious Chinese food” video in which he was arrested and which has gone viral for years, has always maintained that not everything was as it seemed.
Jack Karlson, the man behind the iconic “democracy manifesto” clip, has died a week after his 82nd birthday, with his family saying he lived a “full and colorful” life.
Karlson became an Australian legend on October 11, 1991, when a The television news crew filmed him yelling at police outside the building.he Porcelain Seaside restaurant in City of Brisbane.
The outburst first went viral when it was uploaded to Youtube in 2009, Awakening a new generation to the legendary Larrikin gathering.
But Karlson never wavered from his claim that it was all a mix-up and a case of mistaken identity that led to his arrest and escort from the Chinese restaurant where he had been dining. Having lunch with a friend.
However, it was not his guilt or innocence in the affair that made him famous, but his theatrical response to his arrest, which he staged for the television crew who were there because they had been tipped off by the police – a tip-off the police would soon regret.
“Gentlemen, this is the manifesto of democracy,” he said in a deep, honeyed voice, worthy of a Shakespearean actor, during the arrest.
“Look at the headlock I have here. See that guy over there? Get your hand off my dick! Get your hand off my dick!” he roared excitedly.
Though he’s most famous for being arrested in 1991 (a video of which has gone viral for years), the late Jack Karlson (pictured) always maintained that not everything was as it seemed.
Jack Karlson, who died on Wednesday surrounded by his family, is photographed with his niece Kim Edwards
“This is the guy who gave me a blowjob before. Why did you do this to me? Why? What’s the charge? For eating? A delicious Chinese meal?”
In his later years, Mr. Karlson He suffered from many health problems, including systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and cancer.
Karlson He died on Wednesday surrounded by his loved ones.
“She had a full and colorful path and, despite the problems that came her way, she lived by her motto: keep laughing,” reads a family statement.
“Jack is survived by his daughter Heidi, son Erik, nieces Kim, Kelly and Kerry, nephew Karl, grandchildren Terri-Lace and Nec and many great nieces and nephews, as well as many others whose lives he touched. He will be greatly missed.”
His niece Kim Edwards revealed that Karlson had spent the last weeks of his life in the hospital.
And just as he had done during his detention decades earlier, he also tried to free himself from the hospital.
“He tried to escape several times, he pulled his ropes off a couple of times and he asked us many times to put his pipe in him,” Edwards said.
‘He was battling a lot of ailments, but what finally got him was SIRS.’
A fundraiser was organized for Karlson after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and needed cataract surgery, and has so far generated more than $8,500 in funds.
‘I was very grateful for the positive response to his GoFundMe and to everyone who donated,” Ms. Edwards said.
‘This money will now go towards his funeral.
‘As a final farewell, we gave our uncle one last drink of red wine through the dropper just before it was taken away.
“We are still deciding what we want to do regarding the funeral. We will post updates on the GoFundMe page.”
Ms Edwards previously said she hoped people could “make a huge effort” to support her uncle.
“I know Jack’s video has brought joy to a lot of people and inspired a lot of memes, t-shirts and other stuff over the years, but Jack himself is having a pretty rough time,” she wrote.
“He has never had much money, but has always been generous with his family and friends. He lives week to week in regional Queensland with the help of a volunteer carer.
“I hope people can get some use out of it. I think it’s worth at least a beer, maybe even a six-pack.”
Last week, his niece said Karlson was unwell in a fundraising update.
“He has been hospitalized for two weeks,” she wrote. “He has had multiple procedures but things are not looking good.”
“One thing that lifted his spirits was that the GoFundMe campaign was taking off. He’s very grateful for the donations and comments.”
A documentary about Karlson, the man who ate delicious Chinese food, will be released next year.
Director Heath Davis said the crew is “heartbroken” by the news of Karlson’s death and called him an “icon.”
“Jack lived a life unlike anyone else. In fact, he is such a great figure who has survived so much adversity that it is hard to believe he has left us,” she said.
‘Jack’s inherent ability to always see the positive side of life despite insurmountable odds is something I will carry with me into my own life.
“There is really only one Jack Karlson and he was undoubtedly Australia’s last hooligan.”
Karlson (center) has always maintained that his 1991 arrest was a case of mistaken identity.
Mr Davis said Australia has “lost an icon”.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his beloved family today, especially his daughter Heidi, his niece Kim and his nephew Karl,” he said.
‘Jack’s spark will live on forever, as will his infamous viral video.
‘Tonight I’ll have a beer and a delicious Chinese meal in his honour. You can finally rest in peace, my friend.’
He said telling Karlson’s story was an “honour and a privilege” and confirmed that the team remains committed to bringing the documentary to the big screen.
‘Collaborating with Jack has been one of the most rewarding and fascinating creative journeys to date.’
Aside from his famous arrest, Karlson was known for several prison escapes throughout his life.
Karlson told ABC’s Earshot programme how he escaped from Boggo Road jail in 1996 by jumping off a train on the way to a court hearing for breaking and entering and robbery.
He added that on another occasion he left his court cell and posed as a detective after being arrested in a stolen car in the western Sydney suburb of Parramatta.
