The man who became famous around the world for simply trying to enjoy a 'succulent Chinese meal' has sadly passed away aged 82.
Jack Karlson has long been a viral superstar, with memes of his run-in with the Australian police shared in WhatsApp chats around the world - you can even get a t-shirt with his face on.
If you don't have a clue what I'm talking about, shame on you tbh, it's a cultural touchstone we should all be au fait with.
Advert
But for the philistines among you, let's have a brief recap.
The video in question as uploaded to the internet back in 2009, with zero context offered by whichever genius decided to share it with the world.
In the footage, Karlson is seen being bundled out of a building and into the back of a police car, well, at least that's what the cops are trying to do.
It soon becomes clear that the building Karlson is being removed from is, in fact, a restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, and he is seemingly very confused by it all.
Advert
"Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest!" he declares as the officers grapple with him.
"What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?
"Get your hand off my penis!"
Advert
Speaking to LADbible years later, Karlson revealed that the police thought he was 'some international criminal, a Hungarian who used to rob restaurants'.
"They thought I was him... which I'm obviously not," he told us. "They ran in and arrested me and that's what you saw on the video.
"I knew the cops hated me so I thought they might have tried to grab me for something I did not do."
Sadly, it was announced today (8 August) that the viral star died on Wednesday (7 August) evening.
Advert
Confirming the news, Chris Reason, the journalist who reported on the arrest over 30 years ago, wrote: "Mr Democracy Manifest has died."
In a statement, Karlson's family said: “He walked a full and colourful path and, despite the troubles thrown at him, he lived by his motto - to keep on laughing."
The tragic news comes after it was announced that a GoFundMe page had been set up in his name following a cancer diagnosis.
Advert
In the emotional post, it revealed Karlson had become very ill, having been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
"My name is Kim and I am the niece of Jack Karlson. You might know him as the man who ate a Succulent Chinese Meal or Mr Democracy Manifest," his niece, Kim Edwards wrote.
"He has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is also in need a surgery on his cataracts.
"I know Jack’s video has given a lot of people joy and he has inspired many memes, t-shirts and other things over the years, but Jack himself is doing it quite tough.
"He has never had much money but has always been generous to family and friends. He lives week to week in regional QLD with the help of a voluntary carer.
"Hoping people can dig deep - I think he’s worth at least a beer, maybe even a 6-pack.
"The money will go to his medical costs, getting him to and from appointments and other general living costs."
Prior to Karlson's death, over £4,500 had been raised to help with his treatment.
Dominic Smithers