Phantasm franchise star Reggie Bannister is entering home hospice care, and he’d like to hear from you.
As anyone who ever met him at a convention or worked with him on a movie can attest, Bannister is a remarkably kind man who is truly grateful for his “phans.”
In his time of need, fans are encouraged to share their appreciation for Bannister by sending letters to:
Reggie Bannister
PO Box 4387
Crestline, CA 92325
The cult actor was diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson’s disease in 2016, which were stabilized until last week when he collapsed. Friend and colleague Russell “GreWolf” Mauck shared the update on Facebook:
“He’s still cognitive, so that’s good, but his body is failing. Reggie and Gigi [his wife] had planned ahead and made an advanced directive. As a result, Reggie will be going home from the V.A. soon, for home hospice care.
“There is no prognosis or time frame. It is his wish to be home and around family, in their little mountain cabin. He’s not suffering, and he’s happy to be going home.
“We do not know the length of time that they will have together, but are happy to have the time left. Please know how much Reggie and Gigi love their Phans, Phriends, and colleagues.”
Bannister played shotgun-toting ice cream man Reggie in Phantasm and all four of its sequels: Phantasm II, hantasm III: Lord of the Dead, Phantasm IV: Oblivion, and Phantasm: Ravager.
He also appeared in Bubba Ho-Tep, Wishmaster, Silent Night Deadly Night 4: Initiation, The Mangler Reborn, and The Rage, among others.
A military veteran, Bannister served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He used his GI Bill to study acting.