I’ve been going to conventions for over three decades and have met a lot of celebrities. But I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like Reggie Bannister. I would watch him interact with fans coming up to see him and every single one walked away like they have a new best friend. Reggie was about as genuine as you can get, and one of the nicest humans ever to grace this planet. He also happened to be the biggest bad-ass, 4-barrell toting, mutant dwarf-killing, ice cream man you’d ever hope to run across. 

As most fans knew, Reggie had been battling a few issues over the last several years, but always kept his head held high. He is now at peace, driving that black Cuda into the next world, with the tunes blasting. While I always say that when our movie heroes pass away, they will live on in the wonderful movies they left us. But I think even more than that, Reggie will be missed for all the human connections he made with those that knew him, even if that was just spending 5 minutes chatting with him at a convention. We have lost a great one here. They really didn’t make too many like Reggie, so this loss hits harder than most. So bust out your favorite Phantasm entry, play one of Reggie’s music CDs, and remember how so damn cool he was.

Rest in Peace, my friend. We’ll see you on the other side. Our thoughts go out to his wife Gigi, and the rest of his friends and family during this difficult time.