Gallagher Heart Attack No. 2, Comedian to Retire
Pop comic Gallagher has suffered his second heart attack within two weeks and has announced his retirement on Monday.
Gallagher's promotional manager confirmed that the 65-year-old funnyman would no longer be working.
"He is awake and recuperating," Christine Scherrer told TheWrap. "[But] as of this morning, he is retired. We are canceling all shows. He is not going to work this year … He needs to rest, no shows equals rest."
The comedian, whose full name is Leo Anthony Gallagher Jr., experienced a minor heart attack on March 14. During his hospital stay, Gallagher underwent a medically-induced coma, and was released on March 21.
Just days later while visiting his children in Arizona on March 22, he announced his retirement during an interview with the radio station WDCM.
"I decided that this is enough," explained Gallagher. "I have 32 years of live performing, and so I'm looking for just some little stuff, like retirement things. I'd like to show up at maybe company parties."
Sunday, Gallagher's son took the comedian to the hospital after he was not feeling well when he suffered the second heart attack.
"He had another minor heart attack today, but is resting well is a Sedona hospital," his spokesperson told E! News. "He was trying to get a refill today, but nevertheless he is with family doing OK."
The second heart attack was reported to have been the result of the comic running out of his heart medicine, according to TMZ. However, Gallagher's spokesperson dispelled the report.
"No, him running out of his heart medication had nothing to do with the attack … It's stress," said Scherrer told TheWrap. "He needs to relax … Granted, he was trying to get a refill, but him running out of heart medication or trying to get a refill has nothing to do with what happened."
Gallagher, known for his watermelon sledgehammering performances, experienced his first heart attack in March 2011.
"He's 65 … He needs to relax and enjoy himself," added the comedian's rep.
