Leo Gallagher, the watermelon-smashing comedian passes away at 76. Read here

Comedian Gallagher, the long-haired, ‘smash-'em-up comic’ who left a path of laughter, rage, and smashed watermelons behind him throughout his career, died on Friday at 76, following a brief illness, as confirmed by his former manager. Over the years, Gallagher had several heart attacks, including one before a gig in Texas in 2012.

In the 1970s and ’80s, Gallagher was a sensation countrywide, always wearing a beret on his head and basic props ranging from an oil canister and bullwhip, appearing on Johnny Carson’s ‘Tonight show’ and starring in multiple showtime specials.

Well known for Sledge-O-Matic destruction

Gallagher’s acts included observational humour, political commentary, and his trademark ‘Sledge-O-Matic destruction’. Trying to imitate the late-night show’s pitchman, Gallagher would yell out his best, addressing the audience that his sole motive isn’t to make them laugh but compel them to purchase something from him.


He would then demonstrate some valuable and beautiful cooking utensils to the audience. With a sledgehammer in hand, he would next smash apples, lettuce, grapes, and most notably watermelon, as the audience in front was showered with some food fragments.

FAQs

Why was Gallagher’s popularity decreasing?
In 2011, during an interview with Marc Maron, Gallagher even cut short an interview when the WTF podcast host challenged Gallagher for his homophobic and racist statements. Thus, his popularity decreased over the years.

Did Gallagher do anything except comedy shows?
Gallagher has been in a Geico commercial in the film The Book Of Daniel over the last decade. In 2003, he contested for the governor election in California but lost.