Michael Sarrazin, Canadian actor (They Shoot Horses, Don't They?; The Flim-Flam Man; For Pete's Sake), died from cancer he was , 70

Michael Sarrazin was a Canadian film and television actor who found fame opposite Jane Fonda in the drama film They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969) died from cancer he was , 70.

(May 22, 1940 – April 17, 2011)

Early life

He was born Jacques Michel André Sarrazin in Quebec City, Quebec, and moved to Montreal, Quebec, as a child. After acting in school plays he landed his first professional role aged 17.^[4]

Career

Sarrazin worked on television productions in Toronto, Ontario^[4], and then gained a contract with Universal Studios. His early appearances include The Virginian (1965), Gunfight in Abilene (1967), and a starring role in The Flim-Flam Man (1967) with George C. Scott. He served as a supporting actor in Sometimes a Great Notion (1971). He starred in a string of successes, including the television film Frankenstein: The True Story (1973), the crime caper Harry in Your Pocket (1973), the screwball comedy film For Pete's Sake (1974), and the horror film The Reincarnation of Peter Proud (1975), about a man doomed to die the same kind of death twice. His film career as a leading man came to a close with his role in The Gumball Rally (1976).
He also appeared in Joshua Then and Now (1985), and the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993–1999) episode The Quickening (1996). He hosted the April 15, 1978, episode of Saturday Night Live.
Sarrazin was originally cast to play Joe Buck in the drama film Midnight Cowboy (1969); however, he was unable to be released from a prior contract and the part went to Jon Voight.^[5]

Personal life

For fourteen years he was in a relationship with actress Jacqueline Bisset, whom he met while making the drama film The Sweet Ride (1968).

Death

Sarrazin died after a brief battle with cancer, with his daughters, Catherine and Michele, at his side, according to a family spokesman.^[1]

Filmography

You're No Good (1965) NFB Film Gunfight in Abilene (1967) The Flim-Flam Man (1967) Journey to Shiloh (1968) The Sweet Ride (1968) In Search of Gregory (1969) They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969) Sometimes a Great Notion (1971) Believe in Me (1971) The Pursuit of Happiness (1971) The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972) The Groundstar Conspiracy (1972) Harry in Your Pocket (1973) Frankenstein: The True Story (1973) For Pete's Sake (1974)

The Reincarnation of Peter Proud (1975) The Gumball Rally (1976) The Loves and Times of Scaramouche (1976) Caravans (1978) Deadly Companion (1980) The Seduction (1982) Joshua Then and Now (1985) Captive Hearts (1987) La Florida (1993) Bullet to Beijing (1995) Midnight in Saint Petersburg (1996) The Peacekeeper (1997) The Second Arrival (1998) The Christmas Choir (2008; television film)

 

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