Household Prop-Comedian, Leo Gallagher Passed Away at 76
Leo Gallagher was fighting a short health battle and sadly passed away Friday morning (11/11) in Palm Springs, California. Gallagher’s most famous act involved a hand-made sledgehammer he called the “Sledge-O-Matic,” which he would use to unceremoniously smash food. He’d cover the audience in fragments of apple, lettuce, cake and even sprinkled croutons over the front row. His most iconic Sledge-O-Matic victim were the watermelons, becoming a staple of his bit.
In the late 70’s Gallagher appeared on many shows like “The Mike Douglas Show” and “The Merv Griffin Show” but his first Showtime comedy specials made him extremely popular. Soon he became an 80’s staple on Comedy Central and MTV.
Gallagher truly loved to tour, instead of settling with a consistent show he continued to tour and do shows, occasionally featuring his daughter.
This is a stand-up special from 1983:
