Reggie Bannister, Star Of 'phantasm' Cult Film Franchise, Dies At 80

Reggie Bannister, nan character who devoted his decades-long profession chiefly to independent scary thrillers including each 5 films of nan the cult “Phantasm” franchise, has died.

Bannister died Sunday greeting astatine property 80 astatine location successful Crestline successful nan San Bernardino Mountains, his woman Gigi Bannister announced Monday connected Facebook. “In nan threat of fingers, my champion friend, my confidant, my partner, my psyche mate was transitioned to different magnitude — a higher plane,” she wrote successful her post.

“He nary longer suffers. He’s nary longer successful pain,” she continued. “That gives maine solace. I will spot you connected nan flip side, chromatic bunny.”

Reggie Bannister died aft a decade of battling dementia and Parkinson’s illness and deteriorating health. Gigi Bannister told TMZ, which first reported nan actor’s death, that her precocious hubby was a Vietnam War vet and was exposed to Agent Orange during his service. “Phantasm” head Don Coscarelli besides shared news of his longtime collaborator’s decease connected Facebook, celebrating Bannister’s activity connected nan scary films.

The first of Coscarelli’s “Phantasm” films was released successful 1979 and was a surreal and supernatural thriller group successful a mini Oregon town. “Phantasm” revolves astir a young man named Mike (A. Michael Baldwin), his older relative Jody (Bill Thornbury) and Bannister’s crystal pick man Reggie arsenic they activity to uncover nan mysteries down a section ceremonial location and its frightening mortician — nan Tall Man — played by Angus Scrimm. The “Phantasm” films gained fame pinch their dreamlike consciousness and mind-boggling narratives of “real” and “dream” worlds.

Bannister’s Reggie remained a main characteristic successful nan pursuing editions, arsenic nan halfway unit continues to uncover and face “the eventual evil” and nan truth down nan Tall Man and his convention of lethal flying metallic balls. The 5th “Phantasm” came retired successful 2016, 18 years aft nan fourth, directed by David Hartman and co-written by Coscarelli. The last “Phantasm” movie featured “an energetic capacity by Bannister, who done nan 5 films has gone from comic alleviation to a goofy-but-gallant Bruce Campbell-type hero,” professional Noel Murray wrote for The Times successful 2016.

In his tribute to nan actor, Coscarelli said nan Long Beach autochthonal “channeled himself into that role” and described nan parallels betwixt Bannister’s characteristic and his offscreen personality.

“In existent life, he embodied each nan qualities of his characteristic successful Phantasm and nary 1 questioned that Reg was that guy, nan 1 consenting to laic his assemblage down connected nan fires of hellhole for his friends,” Coscarelli said.

Bannister’s profession spanned from his surface debut successful Coscarelli’s first characteristic “Jim nan World’s Greatest” successful 1975 to his last domiciled successful “Killer Waves 2” successful 2020” and was chiefly composed of independent productions. In summation to acting, Bannister was passionate astir music. He had galore euphony section credits successful surface projects complete his career.

According to Coscarelli, nan character is predeceased by his parents Horace and Evelyn and his relative Roland. Bannister’s survivors see his woman and his girl Ellen.