Comedian Gallagher has died aged 76 of “mass organ failure”.
TV personality, real name Leo Anthony Gallagher Jr., who rose to fame after appearing on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show in 1975, died Friday morning at a Palm Springs hospice, TMZ reports.
Known for smashing watermelons with a sledgehammer while performing on stage, Gallagher was frail for years and suffered several heart attacks.
Tragic loss: Comedian Gallagher dies aged 76 of ‘mass organ failure’ (1980 photo)
His rep told the publication: “Gallagher has toured America for decades.
“He was pretty sure he had a record for most stand-up dates just through exhaustion. Although Gallagher had his detractors, he was an undeniable talent and an American success story.”
The star announced his retirement from performing in March 2012, after 32 years in the comedy circus and days after suffering his second heart attack in less than two weeks.
He was on his way to the stage at a bar in Texas in March 2012 when he suddenly collapsed.
Icon: Gallagher, famous for smashing watermelons with a sledgehammer while performing on stage, has been struggling for years and suffered several heart attacks (pictured 1981)
Routine: The star announced his retirement from live performing in March 2012, after 32 years on the comedy circuit and days after suffering his second heart attack in less than two weeks (pictured in 1984)
He told a WDCM radio in Ohio: “I’ve decided that’s enough. I’ve been performing live for 32 years so I’m looking for some things like retirement stuff, I’d like to show up at company parties.”
The comedian suffered a mild heart attack while performing in Minnesota a year earlier.
The Fort Bragg-born star began working as a comedian and musician after graduating from college in Florida and traveled to California in 1969 to begin his career.
He appeared twice on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, in 1975 and 1979, and quickly became one of the country’s most celebrated comedians.
He has appeared in 14 comedy specials for Showtime and was ranked the 100th greatest stand-up comedian of all time by Comedy Central in 2004.
His character in the recently released biopic Weird Al Yankovic – 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 rose to fame after appearing on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show in 1975, died Friday morning at a Palm Springs hospice, reports TMZ (2009- photo).
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