The real reason Jack Karlson was arrested over ‘succulent Chinese meal’ fiasco that went viral across the globe- as his shattered family break their silence following his death
The petty crook and former actor behind the iconic music video for ‘Chinese Juicy Meal’ has always maintained that not everything was as it seemed in the footage.
Jack Karlson, the man behind the iconic ‘democracy manifesto’ video, died a week after his 82nd birthday. According to his family, he led a ‘full and colorful’ life.
Karlson’s path to becoming an Australian legend came on October 11, 1991, when a television news crew filmed him shouting at police outsideHe China Seafood restaurant in Brisbane.
The eruption first went viral when it was uploaded to YouTube in 2009, awakening a new generation to the legendary larrikin encounter.
But Karlson has never wavered from his claim that it was all a mistake and a case of mistaken identity that led to him being arrested and escorted out of the Chinese restaurant where he had been dining. having lunch with a friend.
However, it was not his guilt or innocence in the case that made him famous, but his theatrical reaction to his arrest. He played on it in a great way with the television staff present, who had been tipped off by the police. The police would later regret this.
“Gentlemen, this is democracy at its best,” he said in a deep, melodious, Shakespearean voice during the arrest.
“Look at the headlock here. See that guy over there? Get your hand off my penis! Get your hand off my penis,” he yelled with gusto.
Though he became famous for his 1991 arrest — the video of which has gone viral for years — the late Jack Karlson (pictured) always maintained that not all was as it seemed
Jack Karlson, who died Wednesday surrounded by his family, is pictured with his niece Kim Edwards
“This is the guy who had me on the penis earlier. Why did you do this to me? For what reason? What’s the charge? Eating a meal? A juicy Chinese meal?”
In his later years, Mr. Karlson was suffered from many health problems, including systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and cancer.
Karlson passed away on Wednesday surrounded by his loved ones.
“He walked a colorful path and despite the challenges thrown at him, he lived by his motto: keep smiling,” the family said in a statement.
‘Jack is survived by his daughter Heidi, his son Erik, his nieces Kim, Kelly and Kerry, and nephew Karl, grandchildren Terri-Lace and Nec and many great-nephews and nieces, along with countless others whose lives he touched. He will be greatly missed.’
His cousin Kim Edwards said Karlson spent the last weeks of his life in the hospital.
And just as he had been in prison decades before, he now tried to escape from the hospital.
“He tried to escape a couple of times and pulled his cords a couple of times and asked us to smuggle his pipe in on several occasions,” Edwards said.
‘He suffered from all kinds of ailments, but in the end it was SIRS that did him in.’
A fundraiser was set up for Karlson after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and required cataract surgery. To date, the fundraiser has raised more than $8,500.
He was very grateful for the positive responses to his GoFundMe and everyone who donated,” said Mrs Edwards.
This money will now go to his funeral.
‘As a farewell, we gave uncle a last sip of red wine through his IV, just before the IV was removed.
“We are still deciding what we want to do regarding the funeral. We will post updates on the GoFundMe page.”
Mrs Edwards had previously said she hoped people would ‘dig deep’ to support her uncle.
“I know Jack’s video made a lot of people happy and inspired a lot of memes, t-shirts, and other things over the years, but Jack himself is going through a hard time too,” she wrote.
‘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 volunteer carer.
“I hope people will dig deep into their pockets. I think it’s worth at least a beer, maybe even a crate of beer.”
Last week, his niece reported in a fundraising update that Karlson was not doing well.
“He has been in the hospital for two weeks now,” she wrote. “He has had multiple surgeries but it doesn’t look good.
“One thing that cheered him up was that the GoFundMe took off. He was very grateful for the donations and the response.”
A documentary about Karlson, The Man who Ate a Succulent Chinese Meal, will be released next year.
Director Heath Davis said the crew was “heartbroken” by the news of Karlson’s death and called him an “icon.”
“Jack lived a life like no other. He is such a great man who survived so many adversities, it is hard to believe that he has left us,” he said.
‘Jack’s talent for always seeing the positive side of life, despite the insurmountable odds, is something I carry with me into my own life.
‘There’s really only one Jack Karlson and he really was Australia’s last villain.’
Karlson (pictured center) has always maintained that his arrest in 1991 was the result of a mistake
According to Davis, Australia has ‘lost an icon’.
“Our thoughts and prayers today are with his beloved family, especially his daughter Heidi, niece Kim and nephew Karl,” he said.
‘Jack’s spark will live on forever, as will his infamous viral video.
“I’m going to have a beer and a juicy Chinese meal for him tonight. You can finally rest in peace, mate.”
He said telling Karlson’s story was “an honour and a privilege” and confirmed the team remains committed to bringing the documentary to the big screen.
“Working with Jack has been one of the most rewarding and fascinating creative journeys to date.”
Besides the famous arrest, Karlson was also known for his several prison escapes.
Karlson told ABC’s Earshot how he escaped from Boggo Road Prison in 1996 by jumping from a train on his way to a court hearing for burglary and theft.
He added that on another occasion he had walked out of his cell posing as a detective after being arrested in a stolen car in Sydney’s western suburb of Parramatta.