'Naked Meltdown' Of Viral Video Filmmaker

The man behind one of the world's most successful viral videos has been placed in psychiatric care after he was found naked, screaming and banging his fists on the pavement.

Jason Russell was held for alleged lewd conduct and suspicion of being drunk by police in San Diego, California.

Mr Russell's 30-minute narrated documentary about Ugandan war lord Joseph Kony became a huge online hit last week after being endorsed by a host of celebrities.

Angelina Jolie , George Clooney and other celebrity supporters helped promote the video.

According to San Diego police Lieutenant Andra Brown, the 33-year-old filmmaker was also found to be vandalising cars during Thursday morning's apparent meltdown.

"Due to the nature of the detention, he was not arrested," Lt Brown said.

"During the evaluation we learned we probably needed to take him to a medical facility because of statements he was saying."

Celebrity gossip website TMZ published a video apparently of Russell at a junction, violently hitting the pavement while yelling abuse.

It said Mr Russell was sectioned under what is known as a "5150 psychiatric hold" so authorities can assess his mental state.

Medical experts are allowed to hold patients under the law for up to three days to determine if they risk self-harm or are a threat to others.

The website for the Invisible Children charity described director "Jason 'Radical' Russell" as their "grand storyteller and dreamer."

It added: "His sparks of creative intelligence and insanity have propelled IC to redefine the concept of humanitarian work, offering new life to old hope."

More than 80 million people have viewed his Kony 2012 YouTube video in just over a week.

A representative for the San Diego-based charity blamed Russell's strange behaviour on his work load promoting the film, which has come under fire for being 'simplistic' .

"Jason Russell was unfortunately hospitalised suffering from exhaustion, dehydration and malnutrition," CEO Ben Keesey said.

"The past two weeks have taken a severe emotional toll on all of us, Jason especially, and that toll manifested itself in an unfortunate incident."

According to the police department he was possibly under the influence of something, however, his wife Danica later released a statement and denied substance abuse was involved.

"(Jason) has never had a substance abuse or drinking problem, and this episode wasn't caused by either of those things," she said.

"But yes, he did some irrational things brought on by extreme exhaustion and dehydration."

Meanwhile, Ugandan Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi has launched a YouTube response to Mr Russell's charity and the celebrity online campaign because the video gives a "false impression" that the country is in conflict.

Mr Mbabazi said: "I extend the invitation not just to the 20 celebrities, but to you all - come and see Uganda for yourself - you will find a very different place to that portrayed by Invisible Children."