Actor Reggie Bannister, best known for his role in the "Phantasm" horror film franchise, died on Sunday, Aug. 9. He was 80.
Bannister's wife, Gigi Bannister, confirmed his death to TMZ, saying he died "peacefully" early Sunday at their home in Crestline, California.
USA TODAY reached out to Bannister's representatives for comment.
In February, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to help cover the cost of full-time hospice care for Bannister, who was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's disease in 2016.
Lewy body dementia can progressively affect thinking, memory and behavior, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Parkinson's disease can make walking, balance, speech and other physical tasks increasingly difficult, according to the Parkinson's Foundation.
Bannister developed a cult following as gun-toting ice cream vendor Reggie in writer-director Don Coscarelli's 1979 horror film "Phantasm."
"He channeled himself into that role," Coscarelli wrote in an Aug. 10 Facebook tribute. "All the fans who met him at the horror conventions could attest that in-person, Reg was cool, funny, loyal, and steadfast."
"Reggie the character was Reggie the friend," Coscarelli added.
'Came back from the war determined to pursue a life of peace'
Bannister reprised the role across four sequels through 2016. His other film credits included "The Demolitionist" (1995), "Wishmaster" (1997) and the cult horror-comedy "Bubba Ho-Tep" (2002).
In a 2017 interview with Horror Geek Life, Bannister reflected on serving in Vietnam after being drafted despite his opposition to the war.
"I was not for that war, I was against it, but there was this thing called the draft," he said, adding that he served as head radio operator for an automatic weapons specialty group. "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.'"
According to his wife, Bannister experienced hearing loss following his military service and became a service-connected disabled veteran and was exposed to Agent Orange.
Coscarelli said Bannister's experience in Vietnam helped shape the direction he took afterward.
"He came back from the war determined to pursue a life of peace and creativity," Coscarelli wrote. "Reggie Bannister was a gifted creative collaborator, a dear friend and he will be sincerely missed. Yes, Reg, to me and your legion of fans, you'll always be 'Hot as Love.'"
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Phantasm' star Reggie Bannister dies at 80 after health struggles
