THE man responsible for one of the most viral clips in Australian history has died at the age of 82.
Jack Karlson shot to fame when his Succulent Chinese Meal meme went viral in the noughties.
Jack Karlson was an internet sensation and on-again off-again petty criminal.
He shot to fame in 2009 when unearthed footage of him being arrested in the 90s outside of a Chinese restaurant in Brisbane was uploaded to the internet and became a viral meme.
During his life Karlson was also known for several prison escapes.
He told ABC’s Earshot how he had escaped from H.M. Prison Brisbane, commonly known as Boggo Road Gaol, by jumping off a train on the way to a court hearing in 1996.
In another escape he walked out of his court cell and managed to impersonate a detective.
Jack Karlson passed away on August 7, 2024.
He died a week after his 82nd birthday, with his family confirming he was battling many health conditions including systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).
A fundraiser was set up for him by his niece after he was reportedly diagnosed with prostate cancer and needed surgery for cataracts.
In early August 2024, in an update for the fundraiser, his niece said he wasn’t doing well.
She wrote: “He has been in hospital for two weeks now.
“He has had multiple procedures but things are not looking good.
“One thing that did lift his spirits was that the GoFundMe was taking off.
“He has been really appreciative of the donations and the comments.”
Karlson became an Australian household name after footage of his 1991 arrest outside the China Sea Restaurant in Brisbane went viral on social media.
During the arrest he said: “Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest.”
“Have a look at the headlock here. See that chap over there?”
“Why did you do this to me? For what reason? What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?”
Karlson ends the iconic arrest video by saying “ta ta, farewell.”
He always maintained his innocence when it came to the viral arrest meme, claiming he was “not the man police were looking for”.
The Karlson family confirmed he died surrounded by family.
“He walked a full and colourful path and despite the troubles thrown at him, he lived by his motto – to keep on laughing,” the family said in a statement.
“Jack leaves daughter Heidi, his son Erik, his nieces Kim, Kelly and Kerry, and nephew Karl, grandchildren Terri-Lace and Nec and many grand nieces and nephews behind, along with countless others whose lives he touched. He will be sorely missed.”
