Leo Gallagher
Encyclopedia
Gallagher is an American
comedian
, clown
, and prop comic, most popularly known for smashing watermelon
s as part of his act.
, North Carolina
. He grew up in South Tampa
, Florida
, where he attended H.B. Plant High School
. He graduated from the University of South Florida
with a chemical engineer
ing degree
in 1970.
's road manager
. Stafford and Gallagher went out to California in 1969 and Gallagher decided to take the stage himself. He began honing his own comedy act while hanging out at both The Comedy Store
and the Ice House.
Gallagher was repeatedly turned down to appear on The Tonight Show
in the 1970s and 1980s, as Johnny Carson
didn't enjoy prop comedy. However, he was liked by some of the program's staff, and Gallagher eventually performed several times on the show when guest hosts were filling in for Carson.
Gallagher was one of the most popular and recognizable American comedians during the 1980s. He performed 16 comedy specials for Showtime. These shows have been re-broadcast numerous times, notably on Comedy Central
. His first special was directed by Mike Nesmith, formerly of The Monkees
.
Gallagher ran for Governor in the 2003 California recall election, finishing 16th out of 135 candidates with 5,466 votes.
Gallagher initially attempted to stop his brother from performing these activities by requesting that he not use the Sledge-O-Matic routine. These efforts proved futile, as Ron kept touring as Gallagher Too and using the Sledge-O-Matic routine. In August 2000, Gallagher sued his brother for trademark violations and false advertising. The courts ultimately sided with Leo Gallagher, and an injunction was granted prohibiting Ron from performing any act that impersonates his brother in small clubs and venues. This injunction also prohibited Ron from intentionally bearing likeness to his brother.
, cartons of chocolate milk
, tubes of toothpaste
, pound cake
, Big Mac
s, and, most famously, watermelon
s. Given the messy nature of this portion of his act, it is usually saved for the finale of his shows. Show attendees in the first two or three rows are usually provided with plastic sheeting for protection, and many fans bring their own additional protection — raincoats, umbrellas, and so on.
In addition to the Sledge-O-Matic, Gallagher's act features a variety of props, including a large trampoline designed to look like a couch, an adult sized Big Wheel, and a cap with a fringe of hair attached to the back.
While the Sledge-O-Matic act is an example of physical prop comedy
, the act itself (and even its name) is a parody
of ads for the Ronco
Veg-O-Matic
, a kitchen appliance that was heavily advertised on American television from the mid-1960s through the 1970s. Gallagher also uses word play in his act, pointing out the eccentricities of the English language. He mentions in one routine that words like "b-o-m-b", "t-o-m-b" and "c-o-m-b" are not pronounced similarly, which he calls "d-u-m-b".
, City Pages
, Drexel University
's The Smart Set, and TDB
magazine. Salon noted that Gallagher's "disgust for 'French fags', lesbians and Obama
is now bigger than that oversize couch he used to jump around on."
On January 31, 2011, Gallagher appeared on comedian Marc Maron
's WTF
podcast
for a sit-down interview. The interview began in an amicable manner, discussing Gallagher's life and career history. However, tensions began to rise when Maron asked Gallagher about the allegations of racism and homophobia by the press. The conversation became increasingly heated until finally Gallagher walked out during the interview. The scheduled hour-long session only lasted about thirty minutes.
rated Gallagher the #100 comedian of all time. Gallagher was displeased with being ranked so low, and he told The Oregonian
, "I looked at the other people and I was trying to find anyone I ever heard of. How could I be behind people I never heard of? ... I made 13 one-hour shows for Showtime, which are available on videotape. I invented the one-man show on cable."
, Gallagher collapsed on stage, gripping his chest. He was rushed to Saint Marys Hospital
, where it was determined that he had suffered a minor heart attack.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
, clown
Clown
Clowns are comic performers stereotypically characterized by the grotesque image of the circus clown's colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish costumes, unusually large footwear, and red nose, which evolved to project their actions to large audiences. Other less grotesque styles have also...
, and prop comic, most popularly known for smashing watermelon
Watermelon
Watermelon is a vine-like flowering plant originally from southern Africa. Its fruit, which is also called watermelon, is a special kind referred to by botanists as a pepo, a berry which has a thick rind and fleshy center...
s as part of his act.
Early life
Leo Anthony Gallagher was born at Fort BraggFort Bragg (North Carolina)
Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. He grew up in South Tampa
South Tampa
South Tampa comprises the city of Tampa communities of Beach Park, Ballast Point, Bayshore Beautiful Bayshore Gardens, Bayside West, Belmar Shore, Davis Islands, Port Tampa, Fair Oaks-Manhattan Manor, Golfview, Hyde Park, New Suburb Beautiful, Virginia Park, Palma Ceia, Rattlesnake Gandy-Sun Bay...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, where he attended H.B. Plant High School
Henry B. Plant High School
H.B. Plant High School was opened in 1927 on South Himes Avenue in Tampa, Florida, United States. The school is named in honor of railroad and hotel tycoon Henry B. Plant. The school mascot is the Panther. The school motto is "Strength Through Unity." Plant High School currently has enrolled more...
. He graduated from the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
with a chemical engineer
Chemical engineer
In the field of engineering, a chemical engineer is the profession in which one works principally in the chemical industry to convert basic raw materials into a variety of products, and deals with the design and operation of plants and equipment to perform such work...
ing degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
in 1970.
Career
After college, Gallagher began working as comic/musician Jim StaffordJim Stafford
James Wayne "Jim" Stafford is an American comedian, musician, and singer-songwriter, prominent in the 1970s. Stafford is self-taught on guitar, fiddle, piano, banjo, organ and harmonica....
's road manager
Road manager
In music industry, a Road Manager is a person who works with small to mid-sized tours...
. Stafford and Gallagher went out to California in 1969 and Gallagher decided to take the stage himself. He began honing his own comedy act while hanging out at both The Comedy Store
The Comedy Store
The Comedy Store is a comedy club located in West Hollywood, California, at 8433 Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip. It has a sister comedy club in La Jolla, San Diego, California.-History:...
and the Ice House.
Gallagher was repeatedly turned down to appear on The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
in the 1970s and 1980s, as Johnny Carson
Johnny Carson
John William "Johnny" Carson was an American television host and comedian, known as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for 30 years . Carson received six Emmy Awards including the Governor Award and a 1985 Peabody Award; he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987...
didn't enjoy prop comedy. However, he was liked by some of the program's staff, and Gallagher eventually performed several times on the show when guest hosts were filling in for Carson.
Gallagher was one of the most popular and recognizable American comedians during the 1980s. He performed 16 comedy specials for Showtime. These shows have been re-broadcast numerous times, notably on Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
. His first special was directed by Mike Nesmith, formerly of The Monkees
The Monkees
The Monkees are an American pop rock group. Assembled in Los Angeles in 1966 by Robert "Bob" Rafelson and Bert Schneider for the American television series The Monkees, which aired from 1966 to 1968, the musical acting quartet was composed of Americans Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork,...
.
Gallagher ran for Governor in the 2003 California recall election, finishing 16th out of 135 candidates with 5,466 votes.
Conflict with brother's act
In the early 1990s Gallagher's younger brother, Ron Gallagher, asked him for permission to perform shows using Gallagher's trademark Sledge-O-Matic routine. Gallagher granted his permission on the condition that Ron and his manager made it clear in promotional materials that it was Ron Gallagher, not Leo Gallagher, who was performing. After several years, Ron began promoting his act as Gallagher Too or Gallagher Two. In some instances, Ron's act was promoted in a way that provided no clue to prospective attendees that they were not seeing the original Gallagher.Gallagher initially attempted to stop his brother from performing these activities by requesting that he not use the Sledge-O-Matic routine. These efforts proved futile, as Ron kept touring as Gallagher Too and using the Sledge-O-Matic routine. In August 2000, Gallagher sued his brother for trademark violations and false advertising. The courts ultimately sided with Leo Gallagher, and an injunction was granted prohibiting Ron from performing any act that impersonates his brother in small clubs and venues. This injunction also prohibited Ron from intentionally bearing likeness to his brother.
Comedy style
His signature sketch is the "Sledge-O-Matic", a large wooden mallet that Gallagher uses to smash a variety of objects, including apples, pineapples, computer keyboards, containers of cottage cheeseCottage cheese
Cottage cheese is a cheese curd product with a mild flavor. It is drained, but not pressed, so some whey remains and the individual curds remain loose. The curd is usually washed to remove acidity, giving sweet curd cheese. It is not aged or colored. Different styles of cottage cheese are made from...
, cartons of chocolate milk
Chocolate milk
Chocolate milk is a sweetened, usually cold, cocoa-flavored milk drink. It is created when chocolate syrup is mixed with milk . It can be purchased pre-mixed or made at home with either cocoa powder and a sweetener , or with melted chocolate, chocolate syrup, or chocolate milk mix...
, tubes of toothpaste
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is a paste or gel dentifrice used with a toothbrush as an accessory to clean and maintain the aesthetics and health of teeth. Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene: it serves as an abrasive that aids in removing the dental plaque and food from the teeth, assists in suppressing...
, pound cake
Pound cake
Pound cake refers to a type of cake traditionally made with a pound of each of four ingredients: flour, butter, eggs, and sugar. The traditional recipe makes a cake much larger than most families can consume, and so the quantity is often changed to suit the size of the cake that is desired...
, Big Mac
Big Mac
The Big Mac is a hamburger sold by McDonald's, an international fast food restaurant chain. It is one of the company's signature products...
s, and, most famously, watermelon
Watermelon
Watermelon is a vine-like flowering plant originally from southern Africa. Its fruit, which is also called watermelon, is a special kind referred to by botanists as a pepo, a berry which has a thick rind and fleshy center...
s. Given the messy nature of this portion of his act, it is usually saved for the finale of his shows. Show attendees in the first two or three rows are usually provided with plastic sheeting for protection, and many fans bring their own additional protection — raincoats, umbrellas, and so on.
In addition to the Sledge-O-Matic, Gallagher's act features a variety of props, including a large trampoline designed to look like a couch, an adult sized Big Wheel, and a cap with a fringe of hair attached to the back.
While the Sledge-O-Matic act is an example of physical prop comedy
Prop comedy
Prop comedy is a comedy genre that makes use of humorous objects, or conventional objects used in humorous ways. The stage and film term "prop", an abbreviation of "property", refers to any object handled by an actor in the course of a performance. Although some form of prop comedy has likely...
, the act itself (and even its name) is a parody
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
of ads for the Ronco
Ronco
Ronco is an American company that manufactures and sells a variety of items and devices, most commonly those used in the kitchen. Ron Popeil founded the company in 1964, and commercials for the company's products soon became pervasive and memorable, in part thanks to Popeil's personal sales pitches...
Veg-O-Matic
Veg-O-Matic
Veg-O-Matic was the name of one of the first food-processing appliances to gain widespread use in the United States. It was invented by Samuel J...
, a kitchen appliance that was heavily advertised on American television from the mid-1960s through the 1970s. Gallagher also uses word play in his act, pointing out the eccentricities of the English language. He mentions in one routine that words like "b-o-m-b", "t-o-m-b" and "c-o-m-b" are not pronounced similarly, which he calls "d-u-m-b".
Accusations of racism and homophobia
Throughout most of Gallagher's career, his humor has not typically been subversive or controversial. However, in recent years, Gallagher's act has included some jokes considered racist and homophobic by notable publications such as The StrangerThe Stranger (newspaper)
The Stranger is an alternative weekly newspaper in Seattle, Washington, USA. It runs a blog known as Slog.-History:The Stranger was founded by Tim Keck, who had previously co-founded the satirical newspaper The Onion, and cartoonist James Sturm. Its first issue came out on September 23, 1991...
, City Pages
City Pages
City Pages is an alternative weekly newspaper serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. It features news, film, theatre and restaurant reviews, and music criticism. It is printed in a tabloid format, and is available free every Wednesday...
, Drexel University
Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
's The Smart Set, and TDB
TBD (website)
TBD is a website that covers Washington, D.C. news. Launched on August 9, 2010, it is owned by Allbritton Communications Company, with offices in Rosslyn, Virginia.-History:Plans for the site were first announced in October 2009...
magazine. Salon noted that Gallagher's "disgust for 'French fags', lesbians and Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
is now bigger than that oversize couch he used to jump around on."
On January 31, 2011, Gallagher appeared on comedian Marc Maron
Marc Maron
Marc Maron is an American stand-up comedian and podcast host.He has been host of The Marc Maron Show, and co-host of both Morning Sedition, and Breakroom Live, all politically-oriented shows, produced under the auspices of Air America Media. He was also the host of Comedy Central's Short Attention...
's WTF
WTF with Marc Maron
WTF with Marc Maron is a twice-weekly podcast hosted by stand up comedian Marc Maron. The show launched in September 2009. The program primarily consists of interviews with comedians and comedy writers, as well as others in the entertainment and radio communities...
podcast
Podcast
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
for a sit-down interview. The interview began in an amicable manner, discussing Gallagher's life and career history. However, tensions began to rise when Maron asked Gallagher about the allegations of racism and homophobia by the press. The conversation became increasingly heated until finally Gallagher walked out during the interview. The scheduled hour-long session only lasted about thirty minutes.
Legacy
In 2004, Comedy CentralComedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
rated Gallagher the #100 comedian of all time. Gallagher was displeased with being ranked so low, and he told The Oregonian
The Oregonian
The Oregonian is the major daily newspaper in Portland, Oregon, owned by Advance Publications. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper on the U.S. west coast, founded as a weekly by Thomas J. Dryer on December 4, 1850...
, "I looked at the other people and I was trying to find anyone I ever heard of. How could I be behind people I never heard of? ... I made 13 one-hour shows for Showtime, which are available on videotape. I invented the one-man show on cable."
Personal life and health
During a March 10, 2011 performance in Rochester, MinnesotaRochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
, Gallagher collapsed on stage, gripping his chest. He was rushed to Saint Marys Hospital
Saint Marys Hospital (Rochester)
Saint Marys Hospital is one of two hospitals in Rochester, Minnesota operated by the Mayo Clinic, the other being Rochester Methodist Hospital. St Marys has a 61-bed emergency department but no obstetrics department, while Rochester Methodist lacks an emergency department but contains an obstetrics...
, where it was determined that he had suffered a minor heart attack.
Comedy specials
- An Uncensored Evening (1980)
- Mad as Hell/Two Real (1981)
- Totally New (1982)
- Stuck in the Sixties (1983)
- The Maddest (1983)
- Melon Crazy (1984)
- Over Your Head (1984)
- The Bookkeeper (1985)
- The Messiest (1986) — contains clips from previous specials
- Overboard (1987)
- We Need a Hero (1992)
- Smashing Cheeseheads (1997)
- Messin' Up Texas (1998)
- Sledge-O-Matic.com (2000)
- Tropic of Gallagher (2005)