The actor, who has been battling Lewy Body dementia and Parkinson’s disease, is currently receiving hospice care at home. However, his condition has progressed to the point where he needs placement in a full-time care facility. A close friend of Bannister and his wife, Gigi, created a GoFundMe campaign to help with expenses, and while the initial $50,000 goal is nearly met, more funds may be necessary.
According to Gigi, coverage through Veterans Affairs — which they had hoped would assist with costs — has not come through, and Bannister is now on a waiting list for a suitable facility. In the meantime, the couple is struggling financially. The fundraising page describes Bannister as a performer who has brought joy to generations of fans, noting that appearances at horror conventions were not only meaningful but also an important source of income. Due to his declining health, he can no longer travel to such events, worsening their financial strain.
The campaign states that donations will go toward medical bills, household expenses and ensuring Bannister continues to receive proper hospice care. Supporters are encouraged to help ease the burden on Gigi so she can focus on caring for her husband during this difficult chapter. Recent photos shared on the page show Bannister seated with what appear to be letters from fans.
Just weeks earlier, Gigi revealed on Instagram that Bannister had suffered a fall, though he was not seriously injured. She did, however, hurt her back while assisting him. The couple met in the 1990s and married in 2001. Bannister was diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson’s in 2016 and entered home hospice care in 2025.
A U.S. military veteran who served during the Vietnam War, Bannister began acting in the mid-1970s. His breakout role came in 1979 when he played Reggie in Phantasm, directed by Don Coscarelli. Made on a modest $300,000 budget, the film became a box office hit, earning $22 million and eventually achieving cult status despite mixed critical reviews. The franchise went on to include multiple sequels released between 1988 and 2016.
In a past interview with Icon Vs. Icon, Bannister reflected on the unexpected success of the series, saying he had a gut feeling about the project’s potential but never fully anticipated its long-lasting impact. He described working with Coscarelli as being like collaborating with a brother and recalled the experience as genuinely fun — adding that at the time, he would have acted simply for the love of it.
Now, as his health declines and Gigi faces her own physical limitations, the couple is confronting difficult realities. She recently told TMZ that Bannister has lost mobility in his limbs and she can no longer physically lift or move him. A planned move to a VA-covered facility in Big Bear, California fell through due to lack of space. Another care center they are considering costs more than $5,000 per month, prompting the urgent appeal for additional support as medical expenses continue to climb.
