Watermelon Smashing Comedian Gallagher (1946 - 2022) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 11-11-2022, 12:42 PM

https://www.tmz.com/2022/11/11/comed...es-watermelon/

Comedian Gallagher, famously known for smashing watermelons as part of his legendary act, has died ... his longtime manager tells TMZ.

Gallagher died while under hospice care in the Palm Springs area early Friday morning, TMZ has learned. His manager tells TMZ Gallagher died of massive organ failure. He had been in ill health for a while, suffering numerous heart attacks over the years.

The rep tells 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," adding, "While Gallagher had his detractors, he was an undeniable talent and an American success story."

Gallagher started working as a comedian after college ... getting his big break after appearing on Johnny Carson's 'Tonight Show' back in 1975 ... showing off his prop humor and quickly becoming one of the most popular and recognizable comedians in America.

His trademark bit was the "Sledge-O-Matic," where he'd use a large mallet to destroy a bunch of foods and objects -- always ending with a watermelon. While it started as a parody of the Veg-O-Matic commercials, it would go on to be what millions would remember him for.

Gallagher's since become a pop culture phenomenon, getting parodied and referenced over the years for his act ... most recently being played by fellow comedian Paul F. Tompkins in "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story."

The comedian had 17 specials spanning decades of his work ... with his first special, "An Uncensored Evening," debuting in 1980. He appeared in episodes of "Hollywood Squares," "WTF with Marc Maron," "Tosh.0" and "Celebrity Big Brother."

He had a health scare back in 2011, as we reported, he collapsed onstage during a performance in Minnesota. He also suffered a heart attack the following year in Texas, moments before he was supposed to perform.

We last saw the comedian back in 2014 ... and he offered us some fantastic advice for those looking to get someone a gift while stuck on a budget -- and it's as hilarious as you'd expect.

Gallagher, who was retired, is survived by his daughter, Aimee, and his son, Barnaby.

He was 76.

RIP

1960'sTVfan · 11-11-2022, 06:56 PM

Sad to learn about this, I think I remember seeing him on that TV game show Make Me Laugh that was hosted by Bobby Van. Gallagher was one of the comics on the panel.

Hawkee · 11-13-2022, 03:39 AM

I didn't even know that Gallagher was still alive but retired from comedy shows but he sure was such a laugh to watch and I can bet that he got inspired by Thor when he decided to do his watermelon smashing act because like Thor he would smash things with his trusty hammer too. I was surprised to hear about Gallagher's death because he had not been mentioned in the news since he retired until I saw it on Youtube. I wonder if Gallagher's comedy shows will get DVD releases and shown on channels like METV and Decades soon? It has been a tough year for favorite comedians this year with the losses of Bob Saget Louie Anderson and now Gallagher is gone. I do hope Decades or METV has some awesome tributes to Gallagher as well because he was cool and talented
Bestie

ponytail · 11-13-2022, 06:43 AM

He was fun to watch. He always reminded me of my Uncle Gene.

TheLittleFaerie · 11-13-2022, 11:18 AM

I got to see him in person when I was about 7 or so, he got me in trouble, I would go around smashing things lol

Yong Fang · 11-13-2022, 09:33 PM

He was the most popular in the 1980's and would watch him from time to time on HBO specials and whatever. He was actually a decent comedian. I watched him on Youtube from sometime in the 1980's and Gallagher just did a dialouge and not prop comedy.

Smashing watermelons? Why? You hit a watermelon with a seldgehammer, it is going to explode.

11-11-2022, 12:42 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,467	Watermelon Smashing Comedian Gallagher (1946 - 2022) https://www.tmz.com/2022/11/11/comed...es-watermelon/ Comedian Gallagher, famously known for smashing watermelons as part of his legendary act, has died ... his longtime manager tells TMZ. Gallagher died while under hospice care in the Palm Springs area early Friday morning, TMZ has learned. His manager tells TMZ Gallagher died of massive organ failure. He had been in ill health for a while, suffering numerous heart attacks over the years. The rep tells 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," adding, "While Gallagher had his detractors, he was an undeniable talent and an American success story." Gallagher started working as a comedian after college ... getting his big break after appearing on Johnny Carson's 'Tonight Show' back in 1975 ... showing off his prop humor and quickly becoming one of the most popular and recognizable comedians in America. His trademark bit was the "Sledge-O-Matic," where he'd use a large mallet to destroy a bunch of foods and objects -- always ending with a watermelon. While it started as a parody of the Veg-O-Matic commercials, it would go on to be what millions would remember him for. Gallagher's since become a pop culture phenomenon, getting parodied and referenced over the years for his act ... most recently being played by fellow comedian Paul F. Tompkins in "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story." The comedian had 17 specials spanning decades of his work ... with his first special, "An Uncensored Evening," debuting in 1980. He appeared in episodes of "Hollywood Squares," "WTF with Marc Maron," "Tosh.0" and "Celebrity Big Brother." He had a health scare back in 2011, as we reported, he collapsed onstage during a performance in Minnesota. He also suffered a heart attack the following year in Texas, moments before he was supposed to perform. We last saw the comedian back in 2014 ... and he offered us some fantastic advice for those looking to get someone a gift while stuck on a budget -- and it's as hilarious as you'd expect. Gallagher, who was retired, is survived by his daughter, Aimee, and his son, Barnaby. He was 76. RIP

11-13-2022, 03:39 AM	#3
Hawkee Michael Fassbender Fanatic Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jan 17, 2016 Location: California Posts: 10,856	I didn't even know that Gallagher was still alive but retired from comedy shows but he sure was such a laugh to watch and I can bet that he got inspired by Thor when he decided to do his watermelon smashing act because like Thor he would smash things with his trusty hammer too. I was surprised to hear about Gallagher's death because he had not been mentioned in the news since he retired until I saw it on Youtube. I wonder if Gallagher's comedy shows will get DVD releases and shown on channels like METV and Decades soon? It has been a tough year for favorite comedians this year with the losses of Bob Saget Louie Anderson and now Gallagher is gone. I do hope Decades or METV has some awesome tributes to Gallagher as well because he was cool and talented Bestie
	__________________ Hawkee and Aguilar, Hoping to be a great team

11-13-2022, 06:43 AM	#4
ponytail Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In Happy, Healthy, Wealthyville Posts: 4,273	He was fun to watch. He always reminded me of my Uncle Gene.
	__________________ Have A Amazing Day!

11-11-2022, 06:56 PM	#2
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,139	Sad to learn about this, I think I remember seeing him on that TV game show Make Me Laugh that was hosted by Bobby Van. Gallagher was one of the comics on the panel.

11-13-2022, 11:18 AM	#5
TheLittleFaerie Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 15, 2017 Posts: 1,948	I got to see him in person when I was about 7 or so, he got me in trouble, I would go around smashing things lol

11-13-2022, 09:33 PM	#6
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	He was the most popular in the 1980's and would watch him from time to time on HBO specials and whatever. He was actually a decent comedian. I watched him on Youtube from sometime in the 1980's and Gallagher just did a dialouge and not prop comedy. Smashing watermelons? Why? You hit a watermelon with a seldgehammer, it is going to explode.