Departures of note

Reginald Horace Bannister was born on September 29, 1945, in the United States. After serving as a radio operator in the Vietnam War, he used his GI Bill to study acting and began a career in low‑budget independent films. He became closely associated with director Don Coscarelli, who wrote the role of the ice‑cream‑truck‑wielding sidekick Reggie specifically for him.

Bannister first gained cult fame with the 1979 horror classic Phantasm, where his portrayal of the loyal, gun‑toting friend of the protagonist earned him the nickname "the hardest working man in horror." He reprised the role in four sequels, cementing his status as a horror icon and a beloved figure among genre fans. In addition to acting, he performed as a musician, contributing songs to the Phantasm soundtracks and releasing his own recordings.

Beyond the Phantasm franchise, Bannister appeared in numerous low‑budget genre films and made guest appearances on television, maintaining a steady presence in the horror community. He was also an outspoken veteran activist, speaking about his experiences in Vietnam and advocating for fellow service members. Bannister lived in Crestline, California, with his wife until his health declined; he was diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson's disease in 2016 and died on August 9, 2026, at the age of 80.