Comedian Gallagher, famous for smashing watermelons, dies at 76

[minervadoe]

American comedian Leo Anthony Gallagher Jr. has died at the age of 76, according to his family.

Gallagher passed away from organ failure while in hospice care in his Palm Springs, California home, his son-in-law told NBC News. He had been unwell and suffered multiple heart attacks prior to his death.

Gallagher was known for his signature sketch, "Sledge-O-Matic," where he'd take a large wooden mallet and smash a variety of foods before ending in the main act -- a watermelon.

In his career spanning decades, Gallagher had 14 Showtime specials and around 3,500 live comedy shows.

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/comedian-gallagher-famous-for-smashing-watermelons-dies-at-76/ar-AA140rdV

[minervadoe]

I always found it amusing that people would wear raincoats and cover themselves with plastic sheeting so they could sit in the front row during the Amazing Sledge-O-Matic scene.

R.I.P.  it is rare that someone could make me laugh as hard as Gallagher could.

PS: for those new Gallagher initiates, that large couch in the background is actually a trampoline. 

 

 

[Batesmotel]

It’s a rare gift to make people laugh. He shared it well. RIP. 

[deputy tom]

He was very entertaining. RIP, Sir. tom.

[M&P15T]

I just got his schtick. He engaged the crowd like no other comic, with his smashing stuff that flew into the crowd. Really got them into his act.

 

Brilliant.