Terrible news this evening as we’ve learned that Reggie Bannister, star of the Phantasm franchise, has passed away. He was 80.
Bannister had been battling both Dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
The tragic news had been circulating this morning, with Raven Tremblay posting about Bannister’s passing on Facebook this afternoon. Longtime friend and Phantasm creator Don Coscarelli has now confirmed the news directly to Dread Central, sharing a lengthy and deeply personal remembrance of his friend and collaborator.
Good friends with filmmaker Don Coscarelli, Bannister’s first role came in Coscarelli’s Jim, the World’s Greatest. They would then go on to make Kenny & Company together. But it was their third film, Phantasm, that would forever endear them to horror fans.
A film about a mysterious mortician who steals bodies and turns them into creatures to be used as slaves in his dimension, Phantasm featured Bannister as ice cream man Reggie with a musical flair. The guitar-slinging actor would go on to become the hero of the franchise, appearing in Phantasm 1-5. Equipped with a trusty shotgun (and sometimes a chainsaw), he was Phantasm‘s answer to Ash from Evil Dead.
Unlike Ash, though, Reggie’s character didn’t carry that sort of cockiness or male machismo. He was more of the kind, fatherly type, often looking out for his friends Mike and Jody.
Bannister had a quiet charm that always made him a beloved presence on screen and a joy to watch.
One of my favorite Reggie moments remains a scene in Phantasm II, where he goes chainsaw-to-chainsaw with a towering villain lugging a chainsaw twice the size of his own. The look on his face when said madman pulls that chainsaw off the shelf is priceless.
Following Phantasm, Bannister would go on to appear in multiple genre titles like Wishmaster, Bubba Ho-Tep (also with Coscarelli), The Mangler Reborn, and so many others. He most recently was featured in Killer Waves 2.
In a statement provided directly to Dread Central, Coscarelli reflected on meeting Bannister when he was just 18 years old and the friendship and creative partnership that would follow for the rest of their lives.
REGGIE BANNISTER (1945-2026)
I lost my hero yesterday.
I am very sorry to report that my dear friend and collaborator, Reggie Bannister, died yesterday at age 80.
I first met Reggie when I was 18 years old. I was deep into production on my first feature film Jim The World’s Greatest. He had invited producer Paul Pepperman and I down to the Wooden Keg, a dive bar in Long Beach, CA to meet about it. Reg was performing a spirited set that night on guitar and vocals and the audience loved his songs and infectious personality. After his set, we introduced ourselves, intent on convincing him to co-star in the project. “A feature film, huh?” he asked. “Far out, man.” Reggie then ordered us all a round of beers. It was the first alcoholic drink I’d ever been served (illegally) at a bar. With four words, Reg toasted with a clink of his glass, “Count me in, boys!”
Little did I know that night would lead to literally a lifetime of working together with him on many films. In the Phantasm series, only Reggie could turn a simple role as an ice cream vendor sidekick into an unlikely action hero for the ages.
He channeled himself into that role. All the fans who met him at the horror conventions could attest that in-person, Reg was cool, funny, loyal, and steadfast.
Reggie the character was Reggie the friend. In real life, he embodied all the qualities of his character in Phantasm and no one questioned that Reg was that guy, the one willing to lay his body down on the fires of hell for his friends.
Reggie was born in Long Beach and was naturally attracted to the arts from an early age. He was a founding member of The Greenwood County singers with music legend Van Dyke Parks. Still in his teens, his popular folk band toured the country until Reg received his draft notice and was called to serve a tour of duty in the Vietnam War.
He came back from the war determined to pursue a life of peace and creativity. He threw himself into musical projects and then acting. In addition to co-starring in my first three films, Reg starred in all the Phantasm sequels, and made significant appearances in both Survival Quest and Bubba Ho-tep. His improvised scene with Bruce Campbell in Bubba in which the two men argue about a scarab beetle infestation in Elvis’s rest home is a classic. He went on to star in dozens of independent films, always enthusiastic about supporting first-time directors.
Along the way, Reggie kept up his music, releasing many well-received albums. He also partnered with his wife Gigi Bannister in a successful entertainment production company, Production Magic Inc., producing live event, musical and film projects.
Reggie is predeceased by his father Horace, his mother Evelyn and brother Ronald. He is survived by his lovely daughter, Ellen and his devoted wife, Gigi.
Reggie Bannister was a gifted creative collaborator, a dear friend and he will be sincerely missed. Yes, Reg, to me and your legion of fans, you’ll always be “Hot as Love.”
For those who have seen Phantasm V, you’ll understand when I say…that ending is going to tear me apart the next time I revisit it. It may not be the best of the franchise, but it is arguably Bannister’s best performance of the series.
Our hearts go out to Bannister’s family and friends. He was an icon amongst genre fans, and he will be greatly missed.
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