Gallagher dies aged 76: Comedian famed for smashing watermelons and shooting to fame on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show passes away from ‘massive organ failure’
- The TV personality died in a Palm Springs hospice on Friday, reports TMZ
- Gallagher, who was famed for smashing watermelons with a sledgehammer on stage, had been in ill health for many years and had suffered heart attacks
- His rep told TMZ: ‘Gallagher stayed on the road touring America for decades
- ‘He was pretty sure he held a record for the most stand-up dates, by attrition alone … He was an undeniable talent and an American success story’
- The star announced his retirement from performing live in March 2012, after 32 years on the comedy circuit and days after suffering his third heart attack
- He first shot to fame on the The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1975
- Gallagher is survived by his daughter, Aimee and son Barnaby
Comedian Gallagher has died from ‘massive organ failure’ aged 76 – a decade after retiring from performing live due to suffering multiple heart attacks.
The TV personality, real name Leo Anthony Gallagher Jr., who shot to fame after appearing on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show in 1975, died in a Palm Springs hospice on Friday morning, reports TMZ.
Gallagher, who was famed for smashing watermelons with a sledgehammer on stage during his act, had been in ill health for many years and had been forced to step away from the spotlight after suffering two heart attacks in the space of two weeks in March 2012.
Tragic loss: Comedian Gallagher has died from ‘massive organ failure’ aged 76 (pictured 1980)
His representative told the publication: ‘Gallagher stayed on the road touring America for decades.
‘He was pretty sure he held a record for the most stand-up dates, by attrition alone. While Gallagher had his detractors, he was an undeniable talent and an American success story.’
The star announced his retirement from performing live in March 2012, after 32 years on the comedy circuit and days after suffering his second heart attack in less than two weeks.
He was heading towards the stage at a Texas bar in March 2012 when he suddenly collapsed.
Icon: Gallagher, who was famed for smashing watermelons with a sledgehammer on stage during his act, had been in ill health for many years and had suffered multiple heart attacks (pictured 1981)
Routine: The star announced his retirement from performing live in March 2012, after 32 years on the comedy circuit and days after suffering his second heart attack in less than two weeks (pictured 1984)
He told an WDCM radio in Ohio: ‘I decided that this is enough. I have 32 years of live performing, and so I’m looking for just some little stuff, like retirement things, I ‘d like to show up at maybe company parties.’
The comedian had suffered a minor heart attack one year prior while performing in Minnesota.
The Fort Bragg-born star began working as a comedian and musician after finishing college in Florida, travelling to California in 1969 to kickstart his career.
He performed twice on the The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1975 and 1979 and quickly became one of the most famed comedians in the country.
Legend: He performed in 14 comedy specials for Showtime and was ranked as the 100th best standup comedian of all time by Comedy Central in 2004 – which he took issue with (pictured 2013)
Gallagher’s signature sketch was the ‘Sledge-O-Matic’ – a wooden mallet that he used to smash various items.
He performed in 14 comedy specials for Showtime and was ranked as the 100th best standup comedian of all time by Comedy Central in 2004 – which he took issue with.
He said: ‘I looked at the other people and I was trying to find anyone I ever heard of. How could I be behind people I never heard of? … I made 13 one-hour shows for Showtime. I invented the one-man show on cable.’
His character in the recently released Weird Al Yankovic biopic – starring Daniel Radcliffe – was played by Paul F. Tompkins.
Gallagher is survived by his daughter, Aimee and son Barnaby.
Stand-up: The TV personality, real name Leo Anthony Gallagher Jr., who shot to fame after appearing on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show in 1975, died in a Palm Springs hospice on Friday morning, reports TMZ (pictured 2009)