bannister died on 26 october 1804, after a period of illness which had kept him from the stage. in his last weeks there were several benefit performances for him, for which the managers of both principal theatres allowed their leading actors to participate without charge. 'in "ways and means", "honest thieves" and "the rival soldiers" he had, therefore, beside his son, (joseph) munden, (jack) johnstone, (george) bartley, (samuel) simmons, mrs. gibbs and mrs. davenport.' the national portrait gallery in london has various portraits of charles bannister.