Reggie Bannister, the actor best known for starring in the cult horror film series "Phantasm," has died. He was 80.
Bannister died Sunday, August 9, at his home in Crestline, his wife, Gigi Bannister, told TMZ. According to his wife, Bannister had been exposed to Agent Orange during his service in the U.S. military.
The actor was a staple of the horror genre, eventually earning the nickname "the hardest working man in horror" through his work in the franchise created by filmmaker Don Coscarelli. His role in the "Phantasm" films made him a beloved figure among cult horror fans, and he appeared in several other genre projects over his career.
Bannister's death was confirmed by his wife, who did not provide additional details about the circumstances. He is survived by his wife and other family members.
The "Phantasm" series, which began in 1979, followed the battle between a mortician known as the Tall Man and a group of young men. Bannister played Reggie, a character who appeared throughout the franchise, cementing his place as a horror icon.
Fans and colleagues have begun paying tribute to Bannister online, remembering his contributions to independent horror cinema and his dedication to the genre he loved.