Succulent Chinese Meal Guy Jack Karlson’s Humorous Internet Fame and Personal Tragedy
Jack Karlson, AKA Mr. Democracy Manifest, gained fame from a video of his apprehend, which became a popular meme and became known as the “succulent Chinese meal.”
He was born in 1942 as Cecil George Edwards in Queensland and raised in Brisbane, where his family life was chaotic.
When he was asked about his parents’ names, he jokingly replied:
“My father’s name was Alphonsus Hitler and my mother’s name was Eva Braun.”
He was a talented painter and actor who appeared in classic Australian TV dramas like Division 4 and Matlock Police.
After a viral video of his detention at a Chinese restaurant in Brisbane, Australia, he became an internet sensation.
Sadly, Karlson passed away at the age of 82 after battling prostate cancer on August 8, 2024.
Jack Karlson’s Wife, Yugoslavian-Ivanka Eve Djugum, Met a Tragic Fate
Jack gained subsequent internet fame for his dramatic apprehend in 1991 and his humorous questioning.
He was accused of credit card fraud but maintained his innocence, claiming it was a case of mistaken identity.
During the detention, he famously exclaimed,”
“Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest!” and “What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?”
These lines and his theatrical resistance made the video go viral years later, turning him into a meme.
Mr. Democracy Manifest, the Australian man whose 1991 arrest went viral around the world, has died. Jack Karlson was 82 pic.twitter.com/JCpdAqcQmT
— BNO News (@BNONews) August 7, 2024
As a young man, Karlson had taken art and acting classes in Pentridge. Decades later, after his house had burned down, he lived in a shack next to a shipping container, surrounded by his paintings.
Moreover, his life was quite colorful, involving multiple jailbreaks and a history of run-ins with the law. Therefore, he was called “Jack the Hun” in prison.
He had a history of criminal activity and had escaped from jail multiple times. Also, he was mistakenly arrested for credit card fraud, which led to the infamous video.
In 2023, true crime author Mark Dapin published a biography of Karlson titled Carnage: A Succulent Chinese Meal.
Also, he interviewed Karlson and described him as definitely the most interesting crime he had ever met.
Sad news: Mr Democracy Manifest has died. The cultural icon, whose arrest inspired a thousand t-shirts and millions of downloads, had advanced cancer. His immortal words will echo thru generations: “What is the charge..eating a meal, a succulent Chinese meal?!!” Vale Jack Karlson pic.twitter.com/nLTuZgJDaZ
— Chris Reason (@ChrisReason7) August 7, 2024
As reported, Karlson’s past includes darker events, such as his wife Ivanka Eve Djugum‘s murder and their connections to two serial killers and their associates.
However, regarding his kids, there isn’t much detailed information available on the digital front.
Yet, it is known that he named his son Jim McNeil Karlson after his best friend and cellmate, Jim McNeil.
Despite his troubled past, he became a beloved figure online due to his dramatic and humorous protest during the detention.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Jack Carlson’s family and friends. Rest in Peace!
Additional Information
- The viral video of Jack Carlson was made on October 11, 1991 but was uploaded to the internet in 2009.
- He also starred in a music video for the punk rock band “The Chat.”
- Carlson met Jim McNeil in prison and encouraged him to write plays about his prison experience.
