Comedian Gallagher Best Known for Smashing Watermelons in His Skits Has Died at 76

Comedia Gallagher passed away at 76. Gallagher was on hospice care in Palm Springs and passed early Friday morning. According to TMZ Gallagher has passed due to massive organ failure.

Gallagher’s manager 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. While Gallagher had his detractors, he was an undeniable talent and an American success story.”

Gallagher’s trademark skit was the “Sledge-O-Matic”, in the bit he would use a giant mallet to destroy food and objects, always ending his skit by smashing a watermelon.

Gallagher was a comedic Icon, even if someone hadn’t seen one of his specials they knew him for watermelon smashing.

Gallagher collapsed on stage in 2011 during a Minnesota performance and had a heart attack the following year in Texas just before he was to perform. Gallagher had been suffering multiple heart attacks according to his son-in-law.

Gallagher was born in Fort Bragg, NC in 1946. His first Television appearance was on ABC’s ‘The Jim Stafford Show’. Johnny Carson had Gallagher on the ‘Tonight Show’ 18 times.

Gallagher leaves behind his daughter Aimee and son Barnaby.