Gallagher dead at 76

Standup comedian Gallagher, who was known for smashing watermelons as part of his act, has died at age 76, his manager confirmed to multiple media outlets.

Sam Rubin reports for the KTLA 5 Morning News on Nov. 11, 2022.

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[gspendlove]

Grew up watching his specials on Showtime in the '80s. He didn't just smash stuff with his Sledge-O-Matic. He was funny and insightful, especially about the differences between men and women, what it was like to have kids, the environment, money...and his prop comedy was insane! Every comedian and his mother tell jokes about the stuff I mentioned, but how many of them had an Invisible Diving Elephant in their shows? Or an adult-sized Big Wheel and a giant couch complete with a giant monster living behind it? Nobody else ever dared to do the things Gallagher did on stage. Besides George Carlin, he was the most famous comedian of his day. And I agreed with him that he should've been further up on the list of the 100 greatest stand-ups of all time. Rest well, sir. You made us laugh.

[kenckman]

I saw him once in person. You will be missed my friend

[mrs.dontmindme]

Gallagher is the only celebrity I ever met. I went to his show with my parents, I was only 13 (so like a REALLY long time ago, lol) I got one of his 2-back caps and he signed it for me. He even complimented the fact that it matched my outfit. He was super nice and you could tell he loved his job so much...I'm really sad right now. All the funny is leaving the world...

[fishing]

There will be a tear in heart every time I walk the produce section. RIP

[edantonuk]

WOW. RIP. MAN. LOVED THIS GUY
I GREW UP WATCHING HIM

[teresag]

Just found this on the news browsing through it. RIP seems so trite for the laughs he provided and his smile which could light up a room. 😥 That one is for the "hospice" they said he was in. Out of pain. 😭 That was for the people sitting in the front two rows who didn't know to buy or bring plastic sheets to his concerts/performances. Though I never got to attend one, he still provided laughs watching via other methods. ❤‍🩹 For the family members who will need to hope to carry on doing their daily things with purpose.
Blessings to his family and friends to get through the coming days.

[TheRealRavenQuest]

RIP GALLAGHER & THANKS FOR THE AWESOME MEMORIES. YOU WILL SURELY BE MISSED.

[jagglenut]

He was a comedian we could all watch as a family. We cracked up so much, great memories. Much love to him. ♥️

[calvin]

I'll never forget when he was smashing melons at that farmers' market in that Geico commercial he appeared in. That was my favorite.

[DrummerJacob]

Well, it's been a good run. Sad to hear 🍉

[michelesyvertsen]

I’m so sad to find out that Gallagher has passed away. Rest peacefully. You brought us a lot of laughs. 🍉

[lyric]

*RATS! LOVED him. Thought of him from time to time and hoped he'd be back on TV. I'll have to go through YouTube. I hope he had a happy life, he sure added to a lot of OURS!*

[hannakinn]

I've been seeing a lot of younger people making negative and disparaging comments about Gallagher. They evidently only know him for the watermelon smashing bit he did, generally at the end of his act. Having not seen his full comedy routines or his numerous talk show appearances they are objecting to articles referring to him as legend and some are questioning if he was a real comedian. That bothers me because I remember laughing at his jokes and witty interactions with others much more than at his watermelon smashing. It's sort of a shame that he became know for smashing watermelons above all else. He made appearances that supported charities, did a lot of good in his life. He deserves more respect than what I've been seeing him receive. He was a real comedian not a joke. RIP Gallagher and thank you for all the laughs

[demonic]

this one hits a bit harder then most no pun intended god I'm going to miss him at least god will have a some one with a hell of a sense of humor now

[reyrayo]

I'm 34 didn't grow up with him but his humor in pop culture was everywhere Hard to deny a hammer and watermelon and not think of Gallagher

[sadboi]

RIP. He was thought provoking and absolutely hilarious.

[WadeLife]

Wow, just now hearing about this...😳 😢

[ariessmith]

Rest in peace funny man, the world was a better place because of people like you making people like me laugh when it was needed most. You will be missed.

[JPMcFly]

Loved these specials as a kid on VH1 in the early 90s, and I saw him live when I was 11 in 1996. It's always sad when someone you grew up liking passes away

[LegacyProductionsOrg]

who wrote this copy? talk about burying the lead. horrible delivery.