Comedian Gallagher has passed away at the age of 76, according to TMZ.
The comedian – born Leo Gallagher – died while under hospice care in Palm Springs, early this morning. The reported cause of death was massive organ failure. Previously, he had a long list of health issues, including collapsing onstage in 2011 and suffering multiple heart attacks over the years.
Gallagher was one of the big breakouts of the 1980s comedy boom. Best known for his bit featuring his Sledge-O-Matic bit where he’d end his shows by smashing a watermelon and other fruit with a mallet, Gallagher first rose to prominence in the 1970s, after an appearance on The Tonight Show. He’s also claimed to be the creator of the modern-day one man show. His style of comedy was often contrarian and political leaning. However, the absurd smashing of fruit onstage at the ends of his set often outshined his material so much that it became his signature bit. With fans who had tickets in the front rows of his shows (known as the splash zone) bringing protective plastic to remain dry.
At his peak in the 80s, Gallagher was so famous his brother Ron was able to tour using the Gallagher moniker, while that story didn’t end well and ended with market confusion and trademark lawsuits. Its a testament to the comic’s demand.
He was also one of the earliest adopters of the cable TV stand-up specials and subsequent direct to video specials. Over the course of his career, he recorded 15 specials (14 for Showtime) beginning in 1980 and all the way up until 2004 including, An Uncensored Evening, Two Real, Mad As Hell, Totally New, That’s Stupid, The Maddest, Stuck in the 60s, Over Your Head, Melon Crazy, The Bookeeper, Overboard, We Need a Hero, Smashing Cheeseheads, Messin’ Up Texas, and Sledge-O-Matic.com.
While premium cable television was in its infancy during its time, many of Gallagher’s specials saw a second life when channels like Comedy Central gave rise.
