Gallagher, one of the most well known comics in the 1980s regarded for his fruit-smashing act and prop humor, has died at the age of 76 in Palm Springs, his longtime manager claimed Friday.
Leo Anthony Gallagher Jr., who simply just went by phase identify Gallagher, rose to reputation right after appearing on “The Tonight Clearly show With Johnny Carson.”
In the 1980s, he made use of observational humor and props, but was most effective well-acknowledged for smashing watermelons and fruit onstage that would splatter on the audience. His signature act was identified as the “Sledge-O-Matic.”
Gallagher’s consultant stated the comedian had been in ill health, and was obtaining hospice treatment in Palm Springs. He died of substantial organ failure, longtime supervisor Craig Marquardo told NBC News through cell phone contact.
He was surrounded by his household when he handed, his supervisor mentioned.
In 2011, the comic reportedly collapsed onstage, and was determined to have experienced a heart attack. The next 12 months, he endured an additional heart assault.
He is survived by son, Barnaby, and his daughter Aimee. His daughter experienced appeared on his specials when she was very little, his manager explained.
“Though Gallagher had his detractors, he was an simple talent and an American results tale,” Marquardo claimed.
