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 He was 80 years outdated.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 films and 5 many years, 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 primarily based closely on the actor and his friendship with the director. Horror followers beloved him a lot that they turned him into an icon, and horror administrators shortly needed to forged such a beloved determine of their films.
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 Street,” a brief movie sequel to Stephen King’s “Salem’s Lot.” Horror followers can even 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 precise his grief concerning the passing of his buddy. “I misplaced my hero yesterday,” he wrote. The 2 first met when Coscarelli was nonetheless a youngster, 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 may 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” top-of-the-line horror movies of the Nineteen Seventies.
The lifetime of Reggie Bannister
Reggie Banister was born in Lengthy Seashore, California, and was at all times concerned in numerous 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, along with his collaborations with Don Coscarelli amongst his most well-known. Because the director stated to honor his buddy, “he went on to star in dozens of impartial movies, at all times passionate about 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 recognized with dementia and Parkinson’s illness in June 2016, however it was confirmed through TMZ that Bannister handed away on Sunday morning at their cabin, and that “Reggie was joyful to be dwelling throughout his remaining moments and died peacefully.”
I used to be very lucky to have met Bannister a couple of instances over time via the horror conference circuit, and he was at all times as charming and human as one may hope a celeb might 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 best having had somebody like Reggie Bannister held up as a hero. He shall be deeply missed, however his legacy shall be ceaselessly cemented via his all-or-nothing performances throughout 50 years.
Thanks for protecting us protected from the Tall Man.
