Michael Sarrazin
Encyclopedia
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).
, Quebec
, and moved to Montreal
, Quebec, as a child. After acting in school plays he landed his first professional role aged 17.
, Ontario
, 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
.
, whom he met while making the drama film The Sweet Ride
(1968).
, with his daughters, Catherine and Michele, at his side, according to a family spokesman.
Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda is an American actress, writer, political activist, former fashion model, and fitness guru. She rose to fame in the 1960s with films such as Barbarella and Cat Ballou. She has won two Academy Awards and received several other movie awards and nominations during more than 50 years as an...
in the drama film
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969).
Early life
He was born Jacques Michel André Sarrazin in Quebec CityQuebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, and moved to Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec, as a child. After acting in school plays he landed his first professional role aged 17.
Career
Sarrazin worked on television productions in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, and then gained a contract with Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
. His early appearances include The Virginian
The Virginian (TV series)
The Virginian is an American Western television series starring James Drury and Doug McClure, which aired on NBC from 1962 to 1971 for a total of 249 episodes. Filmed in color, The Virginian became television's first 90-minute western series...
(1965), Gunfight in Abilene
Gunfight In Abilene
Gunfight in Abilene is a 1967 western film. It is the second film based on the short story "Gun Shy" by Clarence Upson Young.-Plot:Cal Wayne accidentally kills a fellow Confederate soldier during the Civil War...
(1967), and a starring role in The Flim-Flam Man
The Flim-Flam Man
The Flim-Flam Man is a 1967 American film directed by Irvin Kershner, starring George C. Scott, Michael Sarrazin and Sue Lyon, based on the novel The Ballad of the Flim-Flam Man by Guy Owen. The film boasts a cast of well-known character actors in supporting roles, including Jack Albertson, Slim...
(1967) with George C. Scott
George C. Scott
George Campbell Scott was an American stage and film actor, director and producer. He was best known for his stage work, as well as his portrayal of General George S. Patton in the film Patton, and as General Buck Turgidson in Stanley Kubrick's Dr...
. He served as a supporting actor in Sometimes a Great Notion
Sometimes a Great Notion (film)
Sometimes A Great Notion is a 1971 American drama film directed by Paul Newman. The screenplay by John Gay is based on the 1964 novel of the same title by Ken Kesey, the first of his books to be adapted for the screen...
(1971). He starred in a string of successes, including the television film Frankenstein: The True Story
Frankenstein: The True Story
Frankenstein: The True Story is a 1973 American made-for-television horror film loosely based on the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. It was directed by Jack Smight, and the screenplay was co-written by novelist Christopher Isherwood....
(1973), the crime caper Harry in Your Pocket
Harry in Your Pocket
Harry in Your Pocket is a 1973 film, written by James Buchanan and Ronald Austin and directed by Bruce Geller, starring James Coburn, Michael Sarrazin, Trish Van Devere and Walter Pidgeon....
(1973), the screwball comedy film
Screwball comedy film
The screwball comedy is a principally American genre of comedy film that became popular during the Great Depression, originating in the early 1930s and thriving until the early 1940s. It is characterized by fast-paced repartee, farcical situations, escapist themes, and plot lines involving...
For Pete's Sake
For Pete's Sake (film)
For Pete's Sake is a 1974 American screwball comedy film directed by Peter Yates. The screenplay by Stanley Shapiro and Maurice Richlin chronicles the misadventures of a Brooklyn housewife...
(1974), and the horror film
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
The Reincarnation of Peter Proud
The Reincarnation of Peter Proud
The Reincarnation of Peter Proud is an American motion picture released by Bing Crosby Productions, and Cinerama Productions Corporation. In the supernatural suspense genre, the film was directed by J...
(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
The Gumball Rally
The Gumball Rally is a 1976 film directed and co-written by Chuck Bail about a coast-to-coast road race. It was inspired by the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash run by Brock Yates which inspired several other films, including Cannonball and Cannonball Run.-Plot:Michael...
(1976).
He also appeared in Joshua Then and Now
Joshua Then and Now (film)
Joshua Then and Now is a 1985 film and a TV mini-series, adapted by Mordecai Richler from his semi-autobiographical novel Joshua Then and Now. James Woods starred as the adult Joshua, Gabrielle Lazure as his wife, and Alan Arkin as Joshua's father...
(1985), and the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
(1993–1999) episode The Quickening (1996). He hosted the April 15, 1978, episode of Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
.
Sarrazin was originally cast to play Joe Buck in the drama film Midnight Cowboy
Midnight Cowboy
Midnight Cowboy is a 1969 American drama film based on the 1965 novel of the same name by James Leo Herlihy. It was written by Waldo Salt, directed by John Schlesinger, and stars Dustin Hoffman and newcomer Jon Voight in the title role. Notable smaller roles are filled by Sylvia Miles, John...
(1969); however, he was unable to be released from a prior contract and the part went to Jon Voight
Jon Voight
Jonathan Vincent "Jon" Voight is an American actor. He has received an Academy Award, out of four nominations, and three Golden Globe Awards, out of nine nominations. Voight is the father of actress Angelina Jolie....
.
Personal life
For fourteen years he was in a relationship with actress Jacqueline BissetJacqueline Bisset
Jacqueline Bisset is an English actress. She has been nominated for four Golden Globe Awards and an Emmy Award. She is known for her roles in the films Bullitt , Airport , The Deep , Class , and the TV series Nip/Tuck in 2006...
, whom he met while making the drama film The Sweet Ride
The Sweet Ride
The Sweet Ride is an American counter-culture drama with a few surfer/biker exploitation film elements. It stars Anthony Franciosa, Michael Sarrazin and Jacqueline Bisset in an early starring role. The film also features Bob Denver in the role of Choo-Choo, a Beatnik piano-playing draft dodger...
(1968).
Death
Sarrazin died after a brief battle with cancerCancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, with his daughters, Catherine and Michele, at his side, according to a family spokesman.
Filmography
- You're No GoodYou're No Good"You're No Good" is a song written by Clint Ballard, Jr. which first charted for Betty Everett in 1963 and in 1975 was a #1 hit for Linda Ronstadt....
(1965) NFB Film - Gunfight in AbileneGunfight In AbileneGunfight in Abilene is a 1967 western film. It is the second film based on the short story "Gun Shy" by Clarence Upson Young.-Plot:Cal Wayne accidentally kills a fellow Confederate soldier during the Civil War...
(1967) - The Flim-Flam ManThe Flim-Flam ManThe Flim-Flam Man is a 1967 American film directed by Irvin Kershner, starring George C. Scott, Michael Sarrazin and Sue Lyon, based on the novel The Ballad of the Flim-Flam Man by Guy Owen. The film boasts a cast of well-known character actors in supporting roles, including Jack Albertson, Slim...
(1967) - Journey to Shiloh (1968)
- The Sweet RideThe Sweet RideThe Sweet Ride is an American counter-culture drama with a few surfer/biker exploitation film elements. It stars Anthony Franciosa, Michael Sarrazin and Jacqueline Bisset in an early starring role. The film also features Bob Denver in the role of Choo-Choo, a Beatnik piano-playing draft dodger...
(1968) - In Search of GregoryIn Search of GregoryIn Search of Gregory is a 1969 drama film directed by Peter Wood and starring Julie Christie.-Cast:* Julie Christie - Catherine Morelli* Michael Sarrazin - Gregory Mulvey* John Hurt - Daniel* Adolfo Celi - Max* Paola Pitagora - Nicole...
(1969) - The Eye of the Cat (1969)
- They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)
- Sometimes a Great NotionSometimes a Great Notion (film)Sometimes A Great Notion is a 1971 American drama film directed by Paul Newman. The screenplay by John Gay is based on the 1964 novel of the same title by Ken Kesey, the first of his books to be adapted for the screen...
(1971) - Believe in MeBelieve in Me (1971 film)Believe in Me is a 1971 American romantic drama film directed by Stuart Hagmann and written by Israel Horovitz. The film was produced by Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler.-Cast:*Michael Sarrazin as Remy*Jacqueline Bisset as Pamela*Jon Cypher as Alan...
(1971) - The Pursuit of HappinessThe Pursuit of Happiness (1971 film)The Pursuit of Happiness is a 1971 American drama film about a student who goes on the run to avoid serving his full prison sentence for vehicular manslaughter. The film was directed by Robert Mulligan. The producer was David Susskind and the associate producer, Alan Shayne. The screenplay was...
(1971) - The Life and Times of Judge Roy BeanThe Life and Times of Judge Roy BeanThe Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean is a 1972 western film written by John Milius, directed by John Huston, and starring Paul Newman...
(1972) - The Groundstar ConspiracyThe Groundstar ConspiracyThe Groundstar Conspiracy is a 1972 film directed by Lamont Johnson. It stars George Peppard and Michael Sarrazin. The script was very freely adapted from L. P. Davies' 1968 novel, The Alien...
(1972) - Harry in Your PocketHarry in Your PocketHarry in Your Pocket is a 1973 film, written by James Buchanan and Ronald Austin and directed by Bruce Geller, starring James Coburn, Michael Sarrazin, Trish Van Devere and Walter Pidgeon....
(1973) - Frankenstein: The True StoryFrankenstein: The True StoryFrankenstein: The True Story is a 1973 American made-for-television horror film loosely based on the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. It was directed by Jack Smight, and the screenplay was co-written by novelist Christopher Isherwood....
(1973) - For Pete's SakeFor Pete's Sake (film)For Pete's Sake is a 1974 American screwball comedy film directed by Peter Yates. The screenplay by Stanley Shapiro and Maurice Richlin chronicles the misadventures of a Brooklyn housewife...
(1974)
- The Reincarnation of Peter ProudThe Reincarnation of Peter ProudThe Reincarnation of Peter Proud is an American motion picture released by Bing Crosby Productions, and Cinerama Productions Corporation. In the supernatural suspense genre, the film was directed by J...
(1975) - The Gumball RallyThe Gumball RallyThe Gumball Rally is a 1976 film directed and co-written by Chuck Bail about a coast-to-coast road race. It was inspired by the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash run by Brock Yates which inspired several other films, including Cannonball and Cannonball Run.-Plot:Michael...
(1976) - The Loves and Times of Scaramouche (1976)
- CaravansCaravans (1978 film)Caravans is a 1978 Iranian-American film directed by James Fargo based on the novel by James A. Michener. Nancy Voyles Crawford wrote the screenplay. The movie was shot in Iran.-Plot:...
(1978) - Deadly CompanionDeadly CompanionDeadly Companion is a 1980 Canadian mystery film based on the novel The Three Roads by Ross Macdonald.-Plot:...
(1980) - The SeductionThe Seduction (1982 film)The Seduction is a 1982 thriller film starring Morgan Fairchild and Andrew Stevens, written and directed by David Schmoeller. The original music score was composed by Lalo Schifrin. The film was marketed with the tagline "Alone... frightened.....
(1982) - Joshua Then and NowJoshua Then and Now (film)Joshua Then and Now is a 1985 film and a TV mini-series, adapted by Mordecai Richler from his semi-autobiographical novel Joshua Then and Now. James Woods starred as the adult Joshua, Gabrielle Lazure as his wife, and Alan Arkin as Joshua's father...
(1985) - Captive HeartsCaptive Hearts (film)Captive Hearts is a 1987 Romantic drama co-produced between Canada, the U.S. and Japan starring Pat Morita, and co-written by Morita and John A. Kuri...
(1987) - Mascara (1988)
- La FloridaLa Florida (film)La Florida is a Quebec comedy film, released in 1993. The film was directed by George Mihalka, and written by Suzette Couture and Pierre Sarrazin.-Synopsis:...
(1993) - Bullet to BeijingBullet to BeijingBullet to Beijing is a 1995 made-for-television film that continues the adventures of the fictional spy Harry Palmer, who appeared in the 1960s films The Ipcress File, Funeral in Berlin, and Billion Dollar Brain, based on books by author Len Deighton...
(1995) - Midnight in Saint PetersburgMidnight in Saint PetersburgMidnight in Saint Petersburg is a 1996 thriller film starring Michael Caine for the fifth time as British secret agent Harry Palmer.It served as semi-sequel to Bullet to Beijing which had been released the year before, the two films having been shot back-to-back...
(1996) - The PeacekeeperThe PeacekeeperThe Peacekeeper also known as Hellbent is a 1997 Canadian and American action film directed by Frédéric Forestier. It stars Dolph Lundgren as a Major in the US Air Force and the only man who can prevent the president being assassinated and with the ability to thwart an imposing nuclear holocaust...
(1997) - The Second ArrivalThe Second ArrivalThe Second Arrival is a 1998 American science fiction movie. It is the sequel to the 1996 movie The Arrival.-Plot:This film takes place two years after the first film. After Zane Ziminski is found dead in a remote Eskimo community. It is believed that he died of a heart attack...
(1998) - The Christmas Choir (2008; television film)