We sadly should share the tragic information of Reggie Bannister’s passing, the memorable star of Don Coscarelli’s “Illusion” franchise. He was 80 years outdated. Bannister performed the character, additionally named “Reggie,” throughout 5 motion pictures and 5 a long time, starting with the unique “Illusion” in 1979, all the best way to “Illusion: Ravager” in 2016. Simply the perfect movie in Coscarelli’s filmography, the character of Reggie was written particularly for Bannister and the character was based mostly closely on the actor and his friendship with the director. Horror followers liked him a lot that they turned him into an icon, and horror administrators rapidly wished to solid such a beloved determine of their motion pictures.
Bannister appeared in over 50 movie and tv tasks following “Illusion,” together with the function of Herb Tooklander within the adaptation of “One for the Street,” a brief movie sequel to Stephen King’s “Salem’s Lot.” Horror followers may even acknowledge his performances in movies like “Silent Night time, Lethal Night time 4: Initiation,” “Wishmaster,” “Bubba Ho-Tep,” “The Mangler Reborn,” “Cemetery Gates,” “The Rage,” “Physician Backbone,” Bonejangles,” and “Bloody Bloody Bible Camp,” which he additionally produced.
Coscarelli took to X to precise his grief concerning the passing of his pal. “I misplaced my hero yesterday,” he wrote. The 2 first met when Coscarelli was nonetheless an adolescent, and because the filmmaker wrote, “Little did I do know that evening would result in actually a lifetime of working along with him on many movies.” He continued, “Within the ‘Illusion’ sequence, solely Reggie might flip a easy function as an ice cream vendor sidekick into an unlikely motion hero for the ages.”And he is proper. Bannister as Reggie is one among horror’s all-time nice characters, and his singular efficiency helped make “Illusion” the most effective horror movies of the Nineteen Seventies.
The lifetime of Reggie Bannister
Reggie Banister was born in Lengthy Seaside, California, and was at all times concerned in varied artwork scenes. A founding member of The Greenwood County Singers alongside the legendary Van Dyke Parks, Bannister was a touring musician till drafted to the Vietnam Battle. As soon as he returned, he devoted his life to music and performing, together with his collaborations with Don Coscarelli amongst his most well-known. Because the director mentioned to honor his pal, “he went on to star in dozens of unbiased movies, at all times passionate about supporting first-time administrators.”
All through his performing profession, Bannister launched numerous albums as a musician and began the manufacturing firm, Manufacturing Magic Inc., together with his spouse, Gigi. Bannister was identified with dementia and Parkinson’s illness in June 2016, but it surely was confirmed by way of TMZ that Bannister handed away on Sunday morning at their cabin, and that “Reggie was comfortable to be house throughout his remaining moments and died peacefully.”
I used to be very lucky to have met Bannister a couple of instances through the years by means of the horror conference circuit, and he was at all times as charming and human as one might hope a celeb may very well be. He had a pointy humorousness, a ardour for the surroundings, and a deep appreciation for the style that made him a star.
Nobody will ever wield a custom-made quadruple-barreled shotgun fairly like he did, and the horror style is healthier having had somebody like Reggie Bannister held up as a hero. He shall be deeply missed, however his legacy shall be eternally cemented by means of his all-or-nothing performances throughout 50 years.
Thanks for protecting us protected from the Tall Man.
