BANNISTER, CHARLES (1738-1804), English actor and singer, was born in Gloucestershire, England, made his first Lon don appearance in 1762 as Will in The Orators at the Haymarket. Bannister was a singer as well as an actor, and Garrick engaged him for Drury Lane. He died Oct. 26 1804.
His son JOHN BANNISTER (1760-1836), born at Deptford on May 12 176o, first studied painting, but soon took to the stage. His first formal appearance was at the Haymarket in 1778 as Dick in The Apprentice. The same year at Drury Lane he played in James Miller's version of Voltaire's Mahomet the part of Zaphna. Bannister was the best low comedian of his day. As manager of Drury Lane (I 802) he was no less successful. He retired in 1815 and died on Nov. 7 1836. Gainsborough, Morland, and Rowlandson were among his friends.