The passing of a man responsible for one of the most viral clips in Australian history has left the nation in mourning. Jack Karlson, the prison escapee and on-again off-again petty criminal, who shot to fame in 2009 after a clip of his dramatic 1991 arrest outside of a Chinese restaurant in Brisbane went viral, has died at the age of 82.
Karlson’s iconic lines during the arrest, such as “What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal” and “Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest,” have become immortalized in memes, musical remixes, and even tattoos. His family confirmed his passing on Wednesday, revealing that he had been battling prostate cancer.
Despite his criminal past, Karlson always maintained that the 1991 incident was a case of mistaken identity. In a recent interview, he described his life as one of adventure, including jail breaks, run-ins with authorities, and even a period as one of Brisbane’s most prolific dine and dashers.
Tributes have poured in on social media following the news of his death, with many remembering him as a “larger than life” figure with a “big heart.” His reunion with one of the policemen who arrested him, Stoll Watt, had sparked interest in an upcoming documentary about his life.
The nation has lost a true colorful character in Jack Karlson, whose legacy will continue to echo through generations.
