Reggie Bannister

Reggie Bannister
Bannister in 2015
Born
Reginald Horace Bannister

(1945-09-29)September 29, 1945
Long Beach, California, U.S.
DiedAugust 9, 2026(2026-08-09) (aged 80)
Crestline, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • musician
  • composer
  • screenwriter
  • film producer
  • make-up artist
  • activist
Years active1975–2022
Spouses
Susan McDonald Akalski
​
​
(m. 1981; div. 1987)​
Gayle Bannister
​
​
(m. 1988; div. 1997)​
Gigi Fast Elk Porter
​
​
(m. 2001)​
Websiteofficialreggiebannister.com

Reginald Horace Bannister[1] (September 29, 1945 – August 9, 2026) was an American musician, actor, producer, and writer. He is known for his role as Reggie in the Phantasm film series.

Career

Bannister is known for playing the gun-toting, ex-ice cream man Reggie in the Phantasm film series directed by Don Coscarelli. Bannister co-starred in the films alongside A. Michael Baldwin, Bill Thornbury, and Angus Scrimm.[2][3]

He appeared in several films and worked with such notables as Ossie Davis, Bruce Campbell[4] and Andy Griffith.[5]

Bannister played Herb Tooklander in the adaption of One for the Road, a short film sequel to Stephen King's Salem's Lot, which he co-produced with director Tim Sullivan and writer/director Paul Ward. The film also stars Adam Robitel and Audrey Walters.

In 2012, Bannister and his wife, Gigi, collaborated with co-writer Shelby McIntyre and co-writer/director Vito Trabucco on the comedy horror film Bloody Bloody Bible Camp. Bannister asked Tim Sullivan to co-produce and star in the film as the main villain, Sister Mary Chopper, and Sullivan accepted.

He composed the song "Have You Seen It" for Phantasm IV: Oblivion, and arranged "Sittin' Here at Midnight" with Bill Thornbury for Phantasm.

Personal life and death

Bannister was a U.S. military veteran who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. In an interview, Bannister stated, "Getting back to the Vietnam thing. I was not for that war, I was against it, but there was this thing called the draft. I had friends who were going to Canada and I wasn't going to do that, I stand up to what's in front of me, and so just like anything else, I just thought, 'Soldier? Really? You're gonna be a soldier? Okay, well then you're going to be the baddest-ass soldier that ever put on a uniform.' So I just took that attitude, Landon, and just went for it. I was a head radio operator for an automatic weapons specialty group."[6]

While in the service, Bannister was often around .30- and .50-caliber weapons, ultimately resulting in some hearing loss. Because of this, he was a service-connected disabled veteran, on top of which he was exposed to Agent Orange. Bannister took his GI bill from the military and used it to study acting.[6]

Bannister resided in Crestline, California, where he lived with his wife.[7]

In 2016, Bannister was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's disease.[8][9]

On February 21, 2025, it was announced that Bannister's health was deteriorating and that he was going to begin receiving hospice care at his home in Crestline.[7] He died on August 9, 2026, at his Crestline cabin at the age of 80.[9][10]

Filmography

Other work

  • Making of 'Bubba Ho-Tep (2004)
  • Phantasmagoria (2005)
  • Phantasmagorical Mystery Tour (2005)
  • Working with a Master: Don Coscarelli (2006)
  • POV: An Actor's Insight (2009)

References

  1. ↑ According to the State of California's "Birth Index, 1905–1995". Center for Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California
  2. ↑ McIntyre, Gina (October 16, 2009). "Happy Birthday, Tall Man! 'Phantasm' Turns 30". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  3. ↑ Savlov, Marc (March 31, 2000). "Spheres of Influence". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  4. ↑ "CINEVEGAS: A Look At BUBBA HOTEP!!!". Ain't It Cool News. June 11, 2002.
  5. ↑ "QUINT interviews REGGIE BANNISTER Part 1!!!And Here's Part II". Ain't It Cool News. November 20, 2000.
  6. 1 2 Evanson, Landon (February 14, 2017). "An Interview with 'Phantasm's' Reggie Bannister". Horror Geek Life.
  7. 1 2 DiVincenzo, Alex (February 21, 2025). "'Phantasm' Star Reggie Bannister Enters Hospice Care; Fans Can Send Cards & Letters to This Address". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
  8. ↑ Wright, William J. (February 24, 2025). ""Phantasm" Star Reggie Bannister Needs Your Well-wishes". Rue Morgue.
  9. 1 2 Thomas, Carly (August 10, 2026). "Reggie Bannister, a Horror Icon Known for the 'Phantasm' Franchise, Dies at 80". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  10. ↑ Konopka, Matt (August 10, 2026). "Reggie Bannister, Star of the 'Phantasm' Franchise, Has Passed Away". Dread Central. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  11. ↑ André Loiselle and Jeremy Maron Stages of Reality: Theatricality in Cinema, p. 105, at Google Books
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