Gallagher Heart Attack Update: Comedian Awake After Coma
Long-time American comedian known simply as Gallagher is awake and laughing with friends and family after coming out of a medically induced coma following a heart attack.
Doctors brought Gallagher back to consciousness Sunday morning. His manager, Christine Scherrer, said that Gallagher immediately recognized his family and started to talk with them. She continued to state that he is now breathing on his own and moving around.
The comedian, whose full name is Leo Anthony Gallagher, is known by his fans for taking all sorts of food items and smashing them on stage.
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Scherrer explained that Gallagher had two stents replaced after suffering his heart attack last Wednesday right before he was scheduled to go on stage at a Lewisville bar, near Dallas.
Scherrer is not sure how much longer he will remain hospitalized, but added that he is thankful for all the support from his family and that he was touched by his fans' thoughts and prayers.
Gallagher previously collapsed on stage last year after suffering a heart attack while performing at the Whiskey Bone Roadhouse in Minnesota, according to the Examiner.
"They told us this was more severe," Karl Maahs, manager of Speaking Rock club, in El Paso where Gallagher was scheduled to perform last Thursday, as reported by the El Paso Times.
Maahs continued: "They said he was unconscious. Last year was a pretty mild one."
Gallagher is best known for smashing anything and everything with his iconic prop the "Sledge-O-Matic" wooden mallet.
Those who chose to get the seats right in front of the stage are encouraged to bring a poncho or plastic bag to wear to protect themselves from the flying debris leaving the stage.
Over a career that has spanned several decades Gallagher has received many accolades for his act.
During the 1980s Gallagher was one of the most well-known comedians; he had many TV specials and was named one of the 100 Comedians of all-time greats list by Comedy Central.
