# Gallagher has died **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** celebrity-death, comedian-jokes\ **Created:** [November 11, 2022, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754 "2022-11-11T17:40:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/1 "2022-11-11T17:40:38Z")
It is now safe for watermelons to come out of hiding. He brought me much simple joy, may he RIP. > **[Gallagher, watermelon-smashing comedian, dead at 76 | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/11/entertainment/gallagher-comic-dead/index.html)** > > Comedian Gallagher, best known for his watermelon-smashing comedy routine and many popular specials in the 1980s, died Friday morning, according his manager Craig Marquardo. He was 76. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/2 "2022-11-11T17:41:37Z")
The real one or his brother? ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/3 "2022-11-11T17:42:32Z")
The real one. Strangely there was no mention of his brother in the article. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/4 "2022-11-11T18:31:48Z")
No cause of death mentioned. I’d be on the lookout for a group of watermelons wielding sledgehammers. Perhaps in Soviet Russia. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/5 "2022-11-11T18:36:00Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > No cause of death mentioned. I’d be on the lookout for a group of watermelons wielding sledgehammers. > Perhaps in Soviet Russia. - The CNN articles does mention "a short health battle”. Hopefully, he went down swinging. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/6 "2022-11-11T18:52:16Z")
I’m really not trying to be coy about this, I’m just trying to remember what the rules are for RIP threads in terms of negative commentary. Can someone remind me? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/7 "2022-11-11T18:54:57Z")
Huh? What is this? ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/8 "2022-11-11T19:02:49Z")
His brother stole his act and was court ordered to stop. > **[Comedian Leo Gallagher's Brother Ron Gallagher & Their Net Worth](https://thefamilynation.com/gallagher-brother-ron-net-worth)** > > Comedian Leo Gallagher's Younger Brother Ron Gallagher, Not Twin. Leo Gallagher and Ron Gallagher's Net Worth, parents and family. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/9 "2022-11-11T19:04:14Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Can someone remind me? I won’t go on a rant, but I’ll let [this review of a 2010](https://www.thestranger.com/theater/2010/07/01/4357855/gallagher-is-a-paranoid-right-wing-watermelon-smashing-maniac) show speak for itself. > **[Gallagher Is a Paranoid, Right-Wing, Watermelon-Smashing Maniac](https://www.thestranger.com/theater/2010/07/01/4357855/gallagher-is-a-paranoid-right-wing-watermelon-smashing-maniac)** > > Gallagher: Right-Wing, Religious, Melon-Smashing Maniac ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/10 "2022-11-11T19:04:29Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > I’m really not trying to be coy about this, I’m just trying to remember what the rules are for RIP threads in terms of negative commentary. Can someone remind me? I know he had a rant on the Marc Maron show and I was sad to learn that he was kind of a huge jerk. I’m not saying he was a hugely amazing comedian, but we really liked him when I was a kid. I mean, his whole smashing stuff routine is funny, but we even laughed at some of his comedy material. I know in the Marc Maron interview, he sounded racist and angry/bitter. I think he thought he was up there with George Carlin or other “real proper” comedians. Anyway, I did find him pretty funny, but it might have been the age I was at. I’m guessing he was kind of just gimmicky. I’m betting Gallagher Too is going to be able to continue and draw slightly larger crowds, now? Or perhaps no more crowds since he can not convince/trick them he is the real one. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/11 "2022-11-11T19:07:00Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > The CNN articles does mention "a short health battle”. I remember his big heart attack a few years. He survived and was very fortunate to make it a few more years. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/12 "2022-11-11T19:18:32Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > we even laughed at some of his comedy material. Some of his jokes that I recall (totally paraphrasing, and it’s all in the delivery): Why do women wear one bra and a pair of panties? Men and women are different. For men, swimming in the pool is the equivalent of taking a bath. For women, it’s a reason to take a bath. The first letters were alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. Ah - bu - guh - da: “have a good day” … I remember him being quick witted, but the smashing fruit thing was his most memorable schtick: fans would show up in the first few rows with ponchos to cover themselves. I also recall hearing about his family squabbles on one of those “real Hollywood stories” shows. It also sounds like perhaps he resented his level of fame, instead of enjoying the notoriety he did achieve. He also doesn’t strike me as somebody who was especially nice or kind. But he brought me joy, so this news is still a tinge sad for me. Thanks for the laughs, Mr. G. I hope death wasn’t too stressful. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/13 "2022-11-11T19:19:42Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I won’t go on a rant, but I’ll let [this review of a 2010](https://www.thestranger.com/theater/2010/07/01/4357855/gallagher-is-a-paranoid-right-wing-watermelon-smashing-maniac) show speak for itself. Yeah, that’s exactly what I was going to post. It clarifies what Marc Maron was asking about before Gallagher stormed out. (meanwhile: is there a rule about RIP threads, or maybe I’m thinking of another message board?) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/14 "2022-11-11T19:20:48Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > Some of his jokes that I recall (totally paraphrasing, and it’s all in the delivery): “Kids have a great perspective. My daughter saw a graveyard the other day, and called it a bury patch.” ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/15 "2022-11-11T19:22:51Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > (meanwhile: is there a rule about RIP threads, or maybe I’m thinking of another message board?) I think threadshitting or all-out trashing someone is bad, but commenting on the reality of who they are is not so bad. I’m sure we can think of celebs that will have, well, a lot of harsh critiques about them when they die. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/16 "2022-11-11T19:23:49Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > My daughter saw a graveyard the other day, and called it a bury patch.” I seem to recall that he liked words and language; a lot of his jokes were about the way we communicate. That might be why he wanted to be ranked up there with Carlin. As much as the smashing fruit gained him notoriety, it perhaps did detract from his actual material in terms of his legacy. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/17 "2022-11-11T20:37:36Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > “Kids have a great perspective. My daughter saw a graveyard the other day, and called it a bury patch.” “It’s fun seeing the world through my daughter’s eyes. When her arm falls asleep, it ‘sparkles.’” RIP ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/18 "2022-11-11T20:41:56Z")
When I was a kid I told my parents that I wondered what a chair would look like if your knees bent the other way. They looked at me like: “Oh, aren’t you so clever and weird!” I couldn’t tell them that I stole it from Gallagher. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/19 "2022-11-11T20:45:42Z")
Gallagher was one of the comedians who I wondered what had happend to them. He was pretty big in the 80s, but then seemingly nothing. Though I understand he was touring the entire time I hadn’t heard anything about him. I remember laughing with his comedy, so I’m gonna miss the guy now that I know he’s gone. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754/20 "2022-11-11T20:53:11Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I think threadshitting or all-out trashing someone is bad, but commenting on the reality of who they are is not so bad. > > I’m sure we can think of celebs that will have, well, a lot of harsh critiques about them when they die. **Modhat on** : This and an added, don’t go on and on about it. Don’t let a debate about the deceased overwhelm the thread. Sometimes just 2 posters can ruin any thread. * * * * * * As a poster, I only remember Gallagher from the 80s and I remember him fondly from then. He was no Carlin but he was better than most for the 80s. Whatever he did later I’m oblivious too and that’s fine by me. I’ll hoist one to him for making me laugh a lot back 30+ years ago. * * * I think it was 6 Showtime specials that really brought him to National Fame. I remember renting them on VHS. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallagher-has-died/974754.md?page=2)