Reggie Bannister, known for his role as Reggie in the cult classic horror film series "Phantasm," died on Sunday at the age of 80, his wife Gigi Bannister confirmed. He passed away peacefully at their cabin in Crestline, California, with his wife by his side.
Bannister had been in hospice care in recent months due to his struggle with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's disease. His wife also revealed that he had been exposed to Agent Orange during his military service in the 1960s, a chemical linked to long-term health issues.
Just six months prior to his death, Bannister's family launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses and support his move to a full-time care facility. His wife, who had been providing care at home, had begun experiencing her own health issues, making it difficult for her to continue assisting him.
Bannister rose to prominence for his role as the ice cream vendor turned action hero in the 1979 film "Phantasm." He reprised the character in four sequels: "Phantasm II" (1988), "Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead" (1994), "Phantasm IV: Oblivion" (1998), and "Phantasm: Ravager" (2016). The original film, directed by Don Coscarelli, also featured Michael Baldwin, Bill Thornbury, Kathy Lester, and Angus Scrimm, and has since achieved cult classic status despite mixed initial reviews.
In a past interview, Bannister reflected on the franchise's enduring popularity, stating he had a "gut feeling" about the film's potential impact and that working on set with director Don Coscarelli was like working with a brother. He met his wife, Gigi, in 1995, introduced by actor Michael Berryman, and they married in 2001.