Reggie Bannister
American · 80 years old · Died 9 August 2026
Actor — the Phantasm horror franchise (1979–2016)
Cause of death
Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's disease
Reggie Bannister became a cult horror icon playing Reggie — an ice cream vendor turned reluctant hero — across all five films in the Phantasm franchise, from the original 1979 classic through Phantasm: Ravager in 2016. Known as "the hardest working man in horror," he appeared in dozens of independent films over a career spanning five decades. A Vietnam veteran, he was exposed to Agent Orange during his service and was later diagnosed with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's disease. He died peacefully at his cabin in Crestline, California, at the age of 80.
How common is alzheimer's & dementia?
Reggie Bannister died of lewy body dementia and parkinson's disease. Globally, alzheimer's & dementia kills 1,500,000 people every year — that is 4,110 per day, or roughly one person every 21 seconds. It accounts for 2% of all deaths worldwide.
Deaths / year
1,500,000
Deaths / day
4,110
Deaths / hour
171
Deaths / second
0.05
Share of all global deaths
Risk factors for alzheimer's & dementia
Since Reggie Bannister died
Live count since 9 August 2026
Total deaths worldwide since then
---
Deaths from same cause since then
---