‘Succulent Chinese meal’: Cultural icon, ‘Mr Democracy Manifest’, Jack Karlson dies of cancer
One of Australia’s biggest cultural icons, ‘Mr Demcracy Manifest’, Jack Karlson has passed away from cancer, leaving a monstrous online legacy.
Karlson’s antics came to light via Youtube and have since adorned the t-shirts and social media memes of millions, as he was bundled into a police car, under arrest for supposedly trying to avoid paying for a Chinese meal in Brisbane in 1991.
Long-time 7NEWS newshound Chris Reason managed to rekindle his relationship with the online superstar after covering the original arrest as a young reporter and marvelled at the fame lauded on the genuine ‘scallywag’ in his ageing years.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“Get your hand off my penis!” he bellowed at the red-faced officers as they tried to bundle him into the car. “Who is this guy?” I wondered. “He should get a BAFTA for bluster,” Reason wrote in his column for The Nightly.
The man who threw the internet into a spin will forever be remembered for his impromptu and immortal words whilst under police headlock: “What is the charge? Eating a meal, a succulent Chinese meal?!”, Reason wrote.
Untold T-shirts, beer coasters, key rings and posters have been sold — all with Jack Karlsons’ face and words plastered all over them.
There is a wine called “Get Your Hand Off My Pinot”. Chris Waller trains a racehorse named Democracy Manifest (valued: at $940,000) and a musical has been written. There are Democracy Manifest air fresheners for sale online, and there is even a movie being made about the hilarious episode.
