Reggie Bannister, Phantasm Star, Dies at 80
Reggie Bannister, an iconic figure in the horror genre, passed away at the age of 80 on Sunday at his home in the San Bernardino County mountains. His wife, Gigi, disclosed that he had been battling Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's disease, along with health challenges related to his Vietnam War service. Bannister is celebrated for his role as Reggie, a character who confronted the sinister Tall Man across the five Phantasm films, starting in 1979. With a career spanning over 50 films, Bannister also starred in Bubba Ho-Tep and last appeared in 2020's Killer Waves II. Born on September 29, 1945, in Long Beach, California, he married Gigi in 2001.
Key facts
- Reggie Bannister died at age 80 at his home in the San Bernardino County mountains.
- He played Reggie in the Phantasm film series.
- His wife Gigi Bannister confirmed his death to TMZ.
- He suffered from Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's disease.
- He was exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
- He appeared in five Phantasm films from 1979 to 2016.
- His last film role was in Killer Waves II (2020).
- He was born Reginald Horace Bannister on September 29, 1945, in Long Beach, California.
Entities
Artists
- Reggie Bannister
- Gigi Bannister
- Don Coscarelli
- Angus Scrimm
- A. Michael Baldwin
- Bill Thornbury
- Michael Berryman
- Gregory Harrison
- Craig Mitchell
- Bruce Campbell
Institutions
- TMZ
Locations
- San Bernardino County
- Long Beach
- California
- United States