Reggie Bannister, Legendary Star Of Illusion, Useless At 80

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 He was 80 years outdated.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 very best 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 shortly needed to forged such a beloved determine of their motion pictures.

Bannister appeared in over 50 movie and tv initiatives following “Illusion,” together with the position of Herb Tooklander within the adaptation of “One for the Highway,” a brief movie sequel to Stephen King’s “Salem’s Lot.” Horror followers may also acknowledge his performances in movies like “Silent Evening, Lethal Evening 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 specific his grief relating to the passing of his good friend. “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 night time 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 position as an ice cream vendor sidekick into an unlikely motion hero for the ages.”And he is proper. Bannister as Reggie is considered one of horror’s all-time nice characters, and his singular efficiency helped make “Illusion” among the finest horror movies of the Seventies.

Reggie Banister was born in Lengthy Seashore, 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 Conflict. As soon as he returned, he devoted his life to music and performing, along with his collaborations with Don Coscarelli amongst his most well-known. Because the director stated to honor his good friend, “he went on to star in dozens of unbiased movies, at all times obsessed with supporting first-time administrators.”

All through his performing profession, Bannister launched a variety of albums as a musician and began the manufacturing firm, Manufacturing Magic Inc., along with his spouse, Gigi. Bannister was identified with dementia and Parkinson’s illness in June 2016, but it surely was confirmed through TMZ that Bannister handed away on Sunday morning at their cabin, and that “Reggie was comfortable to be residence throughout his remaining moments and died peacefully.”

I used to be very lucky to have met Bannister a couple of instances over time by way of the horror conference circuit, and he was at all times as charming and human as one might hope a celeb might be. He had a pointy humorousness, a ardour for the atmosphere, 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 best having had somebody like Reggie Bannister held up as a hero. He might be deeply missed, however his legacy might be perpetually cemented by way of his all-or-nothing performances throughout 50 years.

Thanks for preserving us secure from the Tall Man.