"Racist" humor
Gallagher's outrageous humor eventually rubbed spectators the wrong way in his later years, with critics feeling his jokes were homophobic and racist.
“Look around - see any Mexicans?” he said during one 2010 show. “They’ll be here later for the cleanup.”
In 2011, Gallagher was a guest on his fellow comedian Marc Maron’s podcast but walked out when Maron asked about this and similar jokes.
Some critics agreed that his act had gone too far, but he never toned it down.
A plethora of specials
Throughout his career, he did 14 comedy specials for Showtime, which have been re-broadcasted several times, notably on Comedy Central.
His first television special debuted in 1980, titled An Uncensored Evening.
Sledge-O Matic
Gallagher exploded in popularity during the 1980s, becoming one of the most famous American comedians due to his trademark Sledge-O Matic act.
The act involved Gallagher destroying foods and objects with a large wooden mallet and always ending it by smashing a watermelon.
Sledge-O Matic also included a large trampoline designed to look like a couch.
A big break
Gallagher got his start in the world of comedy during the 1960s as the road manager for comedian Jim Stafford.
He eventually decided to perform himself and got his big break after appearing on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show in 1975.
Calling it quits
The comedian retired back in 2012 due to his declining health, as well as becoming tired of performing, according to CBS News.
"He told WDCM in Marion that it sometimes didn't matter how clever his jokes were if the audience couldn't hold their liquor," the outlet reported.
"He said the job is like 'baby-sitting people who can't handle alcohol.'"
