New York-based smash-'em-up comedian Gallagher has passed away at the age of 76. Over the course of his decades-long career, he left a trail of laughter, rage, and shattered watermelons.
In a statement, Craig Marquardo, who claimed to be Gallagher's "longtime former manager," stated that he passed away on Friday after a brief illness at his Palm Springs, California, residence.Over the course of his career, Gallagher suffered from numerous heart attacks, one of which occurred just before a 2012 performance in Texas.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the man born Leo Anthony Gallagher Jr. gained a national following by appearing on the "Tonight" show with Johnny Carson and starring in numerous Showtime specials while sporting a beret on his head and a few basic props, such as an oil can or a bull whip.He used observational humor ("What about Easter?") in his act.Who came up with the idea to give eggs to a hopping animal?," a political rant ("They don't call a tax a tax.They refer to it as a revenue generator"), invented sports (synchronized Ping-Pong), and destroyed his trademark Sledge-O-Matic.
"Madames and gents!I wasn't just here to make you laugh tonight.I'm here to get something for you, and I want you to pay special attention!He would shout out, bestowing upon himself the role of a pitchman for late-night television.Who has entrusted the amazing Master Tool Corporation, a Fly-By-Night Industries subsidiary?Me!to demonstrateThe most useful and stylish kitchen implement you've ever seen."
With a sledgehammer in hand, he would then smash apples, grapes, lettuce, and other fruits—most famously the inevitable watermelon—while showering the audience members in front with food crumbs.
Gallagher was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 1960, he worked as the road manager for the comedian and musician Jim Stafford. Soon after, he started performing himself, honing his act at clubs like the Comedy Store.He wasn't the only one in the family who was funny:His younger brother Ron became a comedian, received Leo's initial approval, and resembled his more well-known sibling in appearance and behavior to the point where some audiences were unsure who they were seeing.In the end, Leo Gallagher got a court order stopping his brother from using his routines.
After being criticized for his racist and homophobic remarks, the older Gallagher became an increasingly contentious figure in recent years.After the host of the WTF podcast confronted Gallagher about his statements, the latter even cut short an interview he had with Marc Maron in 2011.
"I'm the issue?!""At one point, Gallagher said. "Do you think gay people will finally have a chance in America when I'm gone?Is it true that I've been holding them back?"
Gallagher was one of more than 100 candidates who ran in the recall election for governor of California in 2003, which Arnold Schwarzenegger won.Gallagher has appeared in "The Book of Daniel" and a Geico commercial over the past decade.
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