Canadian actor Michael Sarrazin dies

Canadian actor Michael Sarrazin, who played opposite big-screen legends like Paul Newman, Jane Fonda and George C Scott, has died at the age of 70.

He died on Sunday in Montreal, surrounded by his family, after a battle with cancer, Michael Oscars, his agent and friend of 27 years, said yesterday. Born Jacques Michel Andre Sarrazin on May 22, 1940, Mr Sarrazin appeared in such films as Sometimes A Great Notion, They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? and The Flim-Flam Man, among others.

Mr Sarrazin also starred in the popular 1973 TV mini-series Frankenstein: The True Story. He was remembered by his brother Pierre for his “wicked sense of wit”, but fans might recall his “soulful eyes”.

Major stardom proved elusive.

Mr Sarrazin suffered a professional setback in 1969 when he had to give up the role of Joe Buck in Midnight Cowboy.

The actor was on his way to Texas for a costume fitting when he found out that his studio would not release him from his contract, his brother said. He had to turn down a part which eventually went to Jon Voight.