Gallagher, one of the most popular comics in the 1980s known for his fruit-smashing act and prop humor, has died at the age of 76 in Palm Springs, his longtime manager said Thursday. Leo Anthony Gallagher Jr., who simply went by stage name Gallagher, rose to popularity after appearing on "The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson." In the 1980s, he used observational humor and props, but was best well-known for smashing watermelons and fruit onstage that would splatter on the audience. His signature act was called the "Sledge-O-Matic." Gallagher's representative said the comedian had been in ill health, and was receiving hospice care in Palm Springs. He died of massive organ failure, longtime manager Craig Marquardo told NBC News via phone call. He was surrounded by his family when he passed, his manager said.