A horror icon thanks to his fan favorite role as Reggie in Don Coscarelli’s multi-decade Phantasm franchise, actor Reggie Bannister has passed away at the age of 80 years old.
A personal friend of Coscarelli’s, Bannister first played the badass ice cream man Reggie in the original Phantasm back in 1979, later reprising the role in Phantasm II (1988), Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead (1994), Phantasm IV: Oblivion (1998), and Phantasm: Ravager (2016).
His iconic role in the Phantasm movies made a horror icon out of Reggie Bannister, who amassed over 50 film and television credits in the wake of the original horror classic. Bannister also appeared in Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation, Wishmaster, Bubba Ho-Tep, The Mangler Reborn, Cemetery Gates, The Rage, Doctor Spine, Bonejangles, and Killer Waves 2.
Don Coscarelli writes on social media tonight, “I lost my hero yesterday. I am very sorry to report that my dear friend and collaborator, Reggie Bannister, died yesterday at age 80.”
“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,” Coscarelli’s tribute continues. “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.”
Coscarelli also notes, “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 Bannister was a gifted creative collaborator, a dear friend and he will be sincerely missed,” Don Coscarelli ends his tribute to Bannister. “Yes, Reg, to me and your legion of fans, you’ll always be Hot as Love.”
You can read Coscarelli’s full tribute below.
Reggie Bannister is survived by his daughter Ellen and his wife Gigi.
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… pic.twitter.com/k5xTomqPjb
— Don Coscarelli (@DonCoscarelli) August 10, 2026
