Gallagher is an American comedian, and prop comic, most popularly known for smashing watermelons as part of his act. Leo Anthony Gallagher was born at Fort Bragg, 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 Engineering degree in 1970. After college, Gallagher began working as comic/musician Jim Stafford'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. He 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 14 comedy specials for Showtime. These shows have been re-broadcast numerous times, notably on Comedy Central.
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