Is Reggie Bannister The Most Interesting Man In The World?

Reggie Bannister is a total horror movie legend!

For PHANTASM phans there is no cooler person in the world than Reggie Bannister who portrays the intrepid ice cream vendor turned shotgun-toting badass in all 5 of the films. Born on September 29, 1945, in Long Beach, California, Reggie Bannister's early life wasn't filled with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. He grew up in a predominantly working-class neighborhood and spent most of his childhood exploring his creative and artistic side. However, Reggie’s real life is almost as interesting as his film character! Read on to see the real life events which inspired the Reg Man!

The Greenwood County Singers

Reggie Bannister was part of the popular folk music band The Greenwood County Singers

Before his acting career took off, Bannister dabbled in music, and his time with The Greenwood County Singers is an often-overlooked part of his long career.

The Greenwood County Singers was a popular folk band that thrived in the mid-1960s. Known for their intricate harmonies and catchy folk tunes, the group was an integral part of the folk music revival that was sweeping the nation at the time. The band was formed in 1961 and consisted of several members, including singer-songwriter Van Dyke Parks and our beloved Reggie Bannister. They managed to make an impact on the Billboard charts, with their album "The Ballad of the Green Berets" reaching the top ten in 1966. Their music was characterized by a blend of traditional folk, pop, and country elements, creating a unique sound that resonated with audiences. Despite their relatively short run, The Greenwood County Singers left a lasting legacy in the annals of American folk music history.

Vietnam

Before acting Reggie was drafted into the Vietnam War

Reggies music career was cut short when he was drafted into the Vietnam War.

Reggie states in an article "Getting back to the Vietnam thing. I was not for that war, I was against it, but there was this thing called the draft. I had friends who were going to Canada and I wasn't going to do that, I stand up to what's in front of me, and so just like anything else I just thought, 'Soldier? Really? You're gonna be a soldier? Okay, well then you're going to be the baddest-ass soldier that ever put on a uniform.' So I just took that attitude, and just went for it. I was a head radio operator for an automatic weapons specialty group."

The Shift to Acting

Bannister's entrance into the acting world was largely unplanned. It was his meeting with the young, ambitious filmmaker Don Coscarelli that steered his path towards acting. Coscarelli cast him in his first film, "Jim the World's Greatest" (1976), where Bannister played the role of a concerned counselor, providing glimpses of the naturalistic acting style that would later become his signature.

The Reg Man Is Born

The Reg Man in Phantasm 3: Lord of the Dead

Reggie Bannister's most defining moment came with the "Phantasm" series. Debuting in 1979, Bannister took on the role of 'Reggie', a likable ice cream vendor turned amateur demon hunter. The character became a fan-favorite for his unconventional heroism and Bannister's unique portrayal. He reprised his role in all five "Phantasm" films, which spanned over four decades, making 'Reggie' an iconic figure in horror film history.

A Cult Horror Figure

Reggie Bannister in the film WISHMASTER

Over the years, Bannister expanded his horror repertoire beyond the "Phantasm" series, appearing in films like "Wishmaster" (1997), "Bubba Ho-Tep" (2002) (also by PHANTASM creator Don Coscarelli), and "Initiation: Silent Night, Deadly Night 4" (1990). His roles, while diverse, all shared a common thread of being enigmatically offbeat and distinctively charming, further reinforcing his status as a cult horror figure.

A Life Beyond Horror

Reggie Bannister married his longtime sweetheart, Gigi Fast Elk Porter, in 2001 who also has played a large part in the PHANTASM films working on special effects and makeup. Apart from acting, Bannister is also known for his strong commitment to animal rights and rescue operations, and he spends a considerable amount of his time working for the cause.

Reggie Bannister is the heart of the PHANTASM series! Connect with him on social media here.

A recent photo of Reggie with PHANTASM family Michael Baldwin and Bill Thornbury